Growth of Loblolly Pine Stands After the First Five Years of Uneven-Aged Silviculture Using Single-Tree Selection

1994 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Murphy ◽  
Michael G. Shelton

Abstract The effects of three levels of residual basal area (40, 60, and 80 ft2/ac), maximum dbh (12, 16, and 20 in.) and site index (< 81 ft, 81 to 90 ft, and >90 ft) on the growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands after 5 yr of uneven-aged silviculture were determined from plots located in south Arkansas and north Louisiana. Designated levels of basal area and maximum dbh were achieved by harvesting; a q factor of 1.2 (using 1 in. dbh classes) was imposed on all plots as closely as possible. Stand-level models were developed for annual per acre net volume growth (merchantable cubic feet, sawtimber cubic feet, and sawtimber board feet, Doyle rule) and annual per acre survivor growth, ingrowth, and mortality components of basal area growth. Growth for all volume measures increased with an increase in basal area. Site index did not significantly affect merchantable cubic-foot growth but had a positive effect on sawtimber growth in both cubic feet and board feet, Doyle. Increases in maximum dbh decreased merchantable and sawtimber cubic-foot growth but increased growth for board-foot volume, Doyle. South. J. Appl. For. 18(3): 128-132.

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 202-206
Author(s):  
David W. Patterson ◽  
Paul A. Murphy ◽  
Michael G. Shelton

Abstract Uneven-aged silviculture using single-tree selection provides the landowner with periodic income from a continuous forest which has a varied canopy. Data were collected from 24 plots of a larger study to determine if site index, basal area, and maximum dbh affected volume and value of lumber from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees in uneven-aged stands. Tree grades and lumber yield equations were used to determine the volume of lumber by grade for each tree. Market prices from May 1997 and May 1998 were used to estimate lumber value. Analysis of variance showed that study variables significantly affected lumber volume, lumber value/mbf, and stand value/ac. With 1997 prices, increases in site index and maximum dbh significantly increased lumber value/mbf, but only maximum dbh was significant with 1998 prices. Stand values ranged from $4,100 to $12,350/ac and were significantly higher for the higher site index, basal area, and maximum dbh. South. J. Appl. For. 24(4):202-206.


1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
MD Cain

The effects of burning cycles and pine basal area levels were assessed on natural pine regeneration and hardwood development in uneven-aged stands of loblolly and shortleaf pines (Pinus taeda L. and P. echinata Mill.). The treatments included an unburned control and prescribed winter burns at 3-, 6-, and 9-yr intervals. Basal area treatments were 9, 14, 18, and 23 m2 ha-1 for the merchantable-pine component and were maintained on a 6-yr cutting cycle using single-tree selection. Ten years after the study was initiated, density and quadrat stocking of pine regeneration were negatively correlated with overstorey basal area. The 6-yr burning cycle had higher pine density and better quadrat stocking of pine regeneration compared with any other bum treatment mainly because the 6-yr burning cycle coincided with a bumper pine seedcrop and the 6-yr cutting cycle. Recurring fires tended to result in reduced size of hardwood competition but had less impact on hardwood density. When considering a prescribed burning program in uneven-aged stands of loblolly and shortleaf pines, more attention should be given to density, quadrat stocking, and size of established pine regeneration and to expected seedcrops rather than to the prosecution of rigid burning schedules.


1991 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-27
Author(s):  
Terry R. Clason

Abstract A hardwood suppression treatment applied to a 7-year-old, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation enhanced projected productivity through a 35-year rotation that included three commercial thinnings. By age 22, growth data showed that hardwood removal treatments had larger pines and smaller hardwoods than check treatments. Fifteen-year pine basal area and merchantable volume growth on hardwood removal plots exceeded the check plots by 25 and 27%. Projected growth between ages 22 and 35 indicated that 28 years after early hardwood removal thinned plantation merchantable volume yields improved by 840 ft³ per acre. South. J. Appl. For. 15(1):22-27.


1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald H. Marx ◽  
Charles E. Cordell ◽  
Alexander Clark

Abstract Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L) seedlings with different initial amounts of Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt) ectomycorrhizae (Pt index 0, 27, 46, 68, or 88) were planted on a good-quality site (site index 90 ft at age 50) in southwest Georgia. After 8 years and crown closure, trees with Pt indices of 88 and 68 had significantly better survival and greater heights, diameters, volumes, and green weights per tree and per ac than nursery-run, control seedlings (Pt index 0). Volume and weight yields per ac were over 50% greater and volume and weight yields per tree were over 20% greater for trees in the Pt index 88 treatment than they were for control trees. A special statistical analysis indicated that average per ac volume was positively correlated with initial Pt index values larger than 58. Tree-ring analyses showed that trees with a Pt index of 88 had significantly greater annual basal area growth than controls during growing seasons with water deficits of 8 to 13 in. Annual growth did not differ when water deficits were greater or less than these amounts. After 8 years, Pt basidiocarps were present throughout the study site. Mycorrhizal treatment integrity may have been lost after 3 or 4 years. South. J. Appl. For. 12(4):275-280


1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles R. Blinn ◽  
Al Lyons ◽  
Edward R. Buckner

Abstract Color aerial photography was used to assess crown color classes in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations. Three distinct Munsell color classes were delineated on the resulting photographs. Foliar N levels and, to a lesser degree, foliar K levels were directly related to color. Significant relationships between color and site index and color and basal area were shown. Application of color aerial photography, combined with Munsell color coding, could expedite land classification and also make possible more efficient use of fertilizers. South J. Appl. For. 12(4):270-273.


1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Murphy ◽  
Robert M. Farrar

Abstract Equations are given to estimate current and projected sawtimber volumes and projected basal area of the sawtimber portion of uneven-aged loblolly-shortleaf (Pinus taeda L.-Pinus echinata Mill.) pine stands managed under the selection system. The independent variables are elapsed time, initial merchantable basal area, and the initial ratio of sawtimber basal area to merchantable basal area. The results should provide guidelines for the board-foot and cubic-foot production of sawtimber-sized trees in uneven-aged stands that occur on average sites (site index 90, loblolly pine) in the Coastal Plain.


1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger A. Williams

Abstract Stand Density Index (SDI) equations and diagrams were developed and presented for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations in north Louisiana. Two different SDI diagrams are presented—one that utilizes the number of trees per acre and average stand diameter, and a second that uses the number of trees per acre and the basal (ft²) per acre. Basal area is presented as a second alternative to average stand diameter since many practicing foresters commonly use basal area for density management. South. J. Appl. For. 20(2):110-113.


1989 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hewlette S. Crawford ◽  
R. Larry Marchinton

Abstract A habitat suitability index based on winter foods was designed to evaluate habitat changes affecting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the Piedmont region of the southeastern United States. Habitat components incorporated in the index were (1) the standing crop of availableherbaceous vegetation and leaves of woody plants remaining green during late autumn and winter, (2) basal area of oak (Quercus spp.) 10" dbh and larger, (3) number of oak species in the stand ≥5% of total basal area, (4) site index of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) or mixed oak, (5) percentageof agricultural land, and (6) distance from agricultural land to forest or shrub cover. The rationale for inclusion of each component of the index is given, and methods for sampling each habitat component are described. The index should be useful on private small landownerships as well ason larger private and public holdings. South. J. Appl. For. 13(1):12-16


1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Jokela ◽  
Stephen C. Stearns-Smith

Abstract Data from six fertilizer trials established in semimature southern pine stands (five slash pine, Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii; one loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L.) were analyzed to determine the efficacy of single vs. split fertilizer treatments. Both fertilizer treatments supplied an elemental equivalent of 200 lb nitrogen (N)/ac and 50 lb phosphorus (P)/ac; however, the first treatment was delivered as a single dose, and the second treatment was a split N application (i.e., 50 lb N and 50 lb P/ac (initial); 150 lb N/ac (2 yr later). Cumulative responses of fertilized plots were still significantly greater than the controls in five trials after 8 yr and averaged 43% (15.7 ft²/ac) and 39% (607 ft³/ac) for basal area and stand volume growth, respectively. In general, no significant differences in either the magnitude or duration of response were detected between the single and split N fertilizer treatments. This suggests that delaying a portion of the N application for 2 yr will not diminish the level of growth responses attained. Therefore, land managers have flexibility in using either application method when implementing midrotation fertilizer prescriptions. South. J. Appl. For. 17(3):135-138.


1982 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Wheeler ◽  
F. M. Meade ◽  
M. W. Russell

Abstract A thinning and fertilizing study was established in an 11-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation. Half of the plots were row thinned, removing 50 percent of the trees; plots were split and half were fertilized at a per acre rate of 100 pounds nitrogen, 50 pounds phosphorous and 50 pounds potassium. There was no response of height, d.b.h. or volume growth to fertilizer. Thinning increased diameter growth but decreased volume growth. The trees have shown exceptional growth. At age 17 the height was 49 feet, d.b.h. 7.3 inches and stocking 2,490 cubic feet on the thinned plots. The respective values for the unthinned plots were 48 feet, 6.7 inches, and 3,960 cubic feet.


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