scholarly journals The Influence of Thinning on Tree Height and Diameter Relationships in Loblolly Pine Plantations

1997 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoang Zhang ◽  
Harold E. Burkhart ◽  
Ralph L. Amateis
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Total Tree ◽  
Stand Characteristics

Abstract Loblolly pine data from thinned and unthinned plantations were used to evaluate the effects of thinning on tree height-diameter relationships. Results showed that thinning positively influences both tree height and diameter growth in loblolly pine plantations. The intensity of the thinning and the time since thinning, along with the inherent site quality, will determine the magnitude and duration of the thinning response. An equation for predicting total tree height from dbh and certain stand characteristics is developed from the data and can be used for predicting tree height in thinned and unthinned plantations. South. J. Appl. For. 21(4):199-205.

scholarly journals Comparison of Planted Loblolly and Slash Pine Performance in Southeast Texas

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. David Lenhart ◽  
Gary D. Kronrad ◽  
Michael S. Fountain
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Pinus Elliottii ◽  
Slash Pine ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Fusiform Rust ◽  
Tree Diameter ◽  
Stem Straightness ◽  
Southeast Texas ◽  
Total Tree

Abstract The performance of young (less than 10 yr) loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) and slash (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) pine trees was compared on planted sites in southeast Texas. Performance was compared for: total tree height; tree diameter; height to live tree crown; tree volume index,; incidenceof fusiform rust (Cronartium quercuum [Berk.] Miyabe ex Shirai f. sp. fusiforme); crookedness of stems; and survival rates. For these young trees, slash pine tended to perform better in southeast Texas than loblolly pine in total tree height, tree diameter, stem size, height to first livebranch and stem straightness. However, loblolly pine was less susceptible to fusiform rust than slash pine, and its mortality rate was lower than slash pine. However, based on the performance of these young plantations, a recommendation on the preferred pine species to plant in southeast Texasmight be premature. South. J. Appl. For. 17(1):26-31.

Relationships between tree crown, stem, and stand characteristics in unthinned loblolly pine plantations

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 534-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter T. Sprinz ◽  
Harold E. Burkhart
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Projection Area ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Tree Crown ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
Stand Attributes ◽  
Stand Characteristics

Empirical and theoretical relationships between tree crown, stem, and stand characteristics for unthinned stands of planted loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) were investigated. Readily measured crown variables representing the amount of photosynthetic area or distance of the translocation process were identified. Various functions of these variables were defined and evaluated with regard to efficacy in predicting stem and stand attributes. Linear models were used to evaluate the contribution of the crown variables in predicting stem and stand characteristics. The stem attributes modeled included basal area, basal area growth, diameter at breast height, and diameter growth, while the stand attributes modeled were basal area, basal area growth, arithmetic mean diameter, and mean diameter growth. Crown diameter and crown projection area were particularly important in contributing to model fit and prediction of individual stem characteristics, while sum of crown projection areas was found especially important in stand level equations. As these crown measures developed over time so did corresponding stem and stand attributes.

scholarly journals Effects of Thinning in a Cherrybark Oak Plantation

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-58
Author(s):  
Matthew H. Pelkki ◽  
Robert J. Colvin
Keyword(s):  
Edge Effects ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
The South ◽  
Total Tree ◽  
Epicormic Branches

Abstract A cherrybark oak plantation was established on an Upper Coastal Plain creek bottom in southwest Arkansas in 1962. At age 10, treatments of (1) thinning only, (2) thinning and pruning, and (3) a control (no treatment) were applied in three replicates. Repeated thinnings from below occurred in the thinned and thinned/pruned plots at ages 21, 26, and 31. Pruning was applied in the thin/prune plots only once, at age 10. Thinning had significant effects on diameter growth immediately and continued to accelerate diameter growth through age 39, but had no effect on total tree height. Height to live crown was significantly lower for thinned plots than in the control. Pruning appeared to have no effect on diameter, height, or number or height of epicormic branches. Sawtimber volume and accumulated sawtimber production was significantly greater in treatments that received thinning, with potential for greater economic returns. The reader is cautioned that these results may not be indicative of cherrybark oak plantations in the South due to the size of the study area and possible edge effects. South. J. Appl. For. 28(1):55–58.

Population density influences assessment and application of site index

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 1472-1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W MacFarlane ◽  
Edwin J Green ◽  
Harold E Burkhart
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Pinus Taeda L

The height growth of dominant trees in plantations is often assumed to be independent of initial planting density. This assumption allows for the use of dominant tree height as an index of site quality. We found that this assumption was false for the seven tallest trees in 184 even-aged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands, planted at nine initial planting densities, at four different geographic locations. A strong, highly significant negative correlation was found between dominant height and initial planting density for stands 14 and 16 years of age. This leads to large differences in predicted site index for stands with different initial planting densities planted at the same geographic location. Use of these site indices to predict yield produced large differences in predicted yield (m3/ha) at age 25. These results provide strong evidence for density-dependent height growth, even for dominant trees in the stand, and suggest that site index, used as a measurement of site quality, is confounded with stand density.

scholarly journals A Merchantable and Total Height Model for Tree Species in Maine

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Westfall ◽  
Kenneth M. Laustsen
Keyword(s):  
Tree Height ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Mixed Effects Modeling ◽  
Height Prediction ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Total Tree ◽  
Height Model ◽  
Tree Characteristics

Abstract A model for predicting merchantable and total tree height for 18 species groups in Maine is presented. Only tree-level predictor variables are used, so stand-level attributes, such as age and site quality, are not required. A mixed-effects modeling approach accounts for the correlated within-tree measurements. Data-collection protocols encompass situations in which merchantability to a specified top diameter is not attained due to tree characteristics. The advantage of using the height prediction model over taper-derived estimates of merchantable height is demonstrated.

Southern Pine Beetle: Factors Associated with Spot Occurrence and Spread in Young Plantations

1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Scott Cameron ◽  
Ronald F. Billings
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Pinus Elliottii ◽  
Slash Pine ◽  
Dendroctonus Frontalis ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Southern Pine Beetle ◽  
Southern Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle

Abstract An inventory of 167,316 ac of 5- to 15-year-old plantations of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) or loblolly pine (P. taeda L.) or both in east Texas revealed that infestations (spots) of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm., occurred in plantations of all ages greater than 5 years. Infestation frequency ranged from 0.1 spots/1000 ac for 6-year-old plantations to 6 to 8 spots/1000 ac for 12- to 15-year-old plantations in 1985. Analyses of subsets of plantation inventories revealed that spots were more frequent in loblolly pine plantations than in slash pine plantations, and more frequent in plantations that had been prescribed-burned. An intensive study of 34 individual spots showed that spot initiation was often associated with stand disturbance but not with intraplantation variations in stand parameters. In turn, regression analyses revealed that the initial number of active trees (spot size) was directly correlated with pine basal area/ac. Rate of summer spot growth in uncontrolled infestations was most strongly correlated with number of active (brood) trees and weakly correlated with tree height and pine basal area/ac. Spots tended to grow faster in loblolly plantations than in those with slash pine. Mean spot growth rates were markedly less within young plantations than rates documented in earlier studies for natural pulpwood and sawtimber stands. A field guide for setting control priorities for beetle infestations in young plantations is provided. South. J. Appl. For. 12(3):208-214.

scholarly journals Effects of Five Silvicultural Treatments on Loblolly Pine in the Georgia Piedmont at Age 20

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Boyd Edwards ◽  
Barry D. Shiver ◽  
Stephen R. Logan
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Intensive Treatment ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Silvicultural Treatments ◽  
Herbicide Treatment ◽  
Georgia Piedmont ◽  
Stand Characteristics

Abstract Age 20 data from a designed experimental study installed on 24 plots at one location in the Lower Piedmont in Jones County, Georgia, were used to evaluate the effect of six silvicultural treatments on survival, growth, and yield of cutover site-prepared loblolly pine plantations in the Georgia Piedmont. The following silvicultural treatments were included in the study: (1) clearcut only, (2) clearcut with all residual trees greater than 1 inch dbh removed by chainsaw, (3) shear and chop, (4) shear, rootrake, burn, and disk, and (5) shear, rootrake, burn, disk, fertilize, and herbicide. Treatment significantly affected all tree and stand characteristics at age 20. The shear, rootrake, burn, disk, fertilize, and herbicide treatment ranked best in all categories with the exception of survival and basal area, which were highest for the shear, rootrake, burn, and disk treatment. The shear and chop treatment was not significantly lower than the most intensive treatment in any measured category. South. J. Appl. For. 28(1):35–40.

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