scholarly journals A Mixed-Effects Height—Diameter Model for Individual Loblolly and Slash Pine Trees in East Texas

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean W. Coble ◽  
Young-Jin Lee

Abstract A new mixed-effects model was developed that predicts individual-tree total height for loblolly (Pinus taeda) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii) as a function of individual-tree diameter (in.), dominant height (ft), quadratic mean diameter (in.), and maximum stand diameter (in.). Data from 119,983 loblolly pine and 42,697 slash pine height–diameter observations collected on 185 loblolly pine and 84 slash pine permanent plots located in plantations throughout East Texas were used for model fitting. This new model is an improvement over earlier models fit with ordinary least squares, in that it can be calibrated to a new stand with observed height–diameter pairs, thus improving height prediction. An example is provided that describes how to calibrate the model to a new stand with observed data.

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micky G. Allen ◽  
Dean W. Coble ◽  
Quang V. Cao ◽  
Jimmie Yeiser ◽  
I-Kuai Hung

Abstract Four methodologies to project future trees per acre by diameter class were compared to develop a new modified stand table projection growth model for unmanaged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantations in East Texas. The new models were fit to 92,882 observations from 153 permanent plots located in loblolly pine plantations and 33,792 observations from 71 permanent plots located in slash pine plantations throughout East Texas. The new models were validated with 12,750 observations from 22 permanent plots and 3,724 observations from 9 permanent plots located in loblolly and slash pine plantations, respectively. The validation data were used to select between the four methodologies. The results indicated which of the new models produced the best results, based on error indexes calculated for trees per acre and basal area per acre at the stand table and diameter class levels across a range of projection lengths. We recommend that this new model be used by forest managers for projecting stand tables in East Texas loblolly and slash pine plantations. An example is also provided to show users how to use the new modified stand table projection model.


1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. David Lenhart ◽  
W. Thomas McGrath ◽  
Terry L. Hackett

Abstract Five surveys of pine plantations in East Texas over an 18-year period (1969-1987) indicated that fusiform rust (Cronartium quercuum [Berk.] Miyabe ex Shirai f. sp. fusiforme Birdsall and Snow) infection rates have increased to current levels of about 50% on slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) and are continuing to increase on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) to 10-15% levels. South. J. Appl. For. 12(4):259-261.


1986 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. David Lenhart ◽  
Ellis V. Hunt ◽  
Jock A. Blackard

Abstract Equations to estimate site index (index age 25 years) for plantations of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) on non-old-fields in East Texas have been developed. The height-prediction curves were based on the Richards' growth function and track well within the range of the data (1-17 years). South. J. Appl. For. 10:109-112, May 1986.


2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean W. Coble

Abstract A new compatible whole-stand growth-and-yield model to predict total tree cubic-foot volume per acre yield (outside and inside bark) was developed for unmanaged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantations in East Texas. This model was compared with the noncompatible whole-stand model of Lenhart (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B15-2127">Lenhart, 1996</xref>, Total and partial stand-level yield prediction for loblolly and slash pine plantations in east Texas, South. J. Appl. For. 20(1):36–41) and the <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B15-2127">Lenhart (1996)</xref> model refit to current data. For the two species, all three models were evaluated with independent observed data. The model developed in this study outperformed both Lenhart models in prediction of future yield and basal area per acre for all age classes combined and by 5-year age classes. The Lenhart models consistently overestimated yield and basal area per acre. All three models predicted surviving trees per acre similarly. An example is also provided to show users how to use the new whole-stand model.


2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn B. Fain ◽  
Charles H. Gilliam ◽  
Jeff L. Sibley ◽  
Cheryl R. Boyer

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential for use of container substrates composed of processed whole pine trees (WholeTree). Three species [loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), slash pine (Pinus elliottii), and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)] of 8- to 10-year-old pine trees were harvested at ground level and the entire tree was chipped with a tree chipper. Chips from each tree species were processed with a hammer mill to pass through a 0.374-inch screen. On 29 June 2005 1-gal containers were filled with substrates, placed into full sun under overhead irrigation, and planted with a single liner (63.4 cm3) of ‘Little Blanche’ annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus). The test was repeated on 27 Aug. 2005 with ‘Raspberry Red Cooler’ annual vinca. Pine bark substrate had about 50% less air space and 32% greater water holding capacity than the other substrates. At 54 days after potting (DAP), shoot dry weights were 15% greater for plants grown in 100% pine bark substrate compared with plants grown in the three WholeTree substrates. However, there were no differences in plant growth indices for any substrate at 54 DAP. Plant tissue macronutrient content was similar among all substrates. Tissue micronutrient content was similar and within sufficiency ranges with the exception of manganese. Manganese was highest for substrates made from slash pine and loblolly pine. Root growth was similar among all treatments. Results from the second study were similar. Based on these results, WholeTree substrates derived from loblolly pine, slash pine, or longleaf pine have potential as an alternative, sustainable source for producing short-term horticultural crops.


1986 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellis V. Hunt ◽  
J. David Lenhart

Abstract Four surveys of pine plantations in East Texas between 1969 and 1984 indicate that fusiform rust (Cronartium quercuum (Berk.) Miyabe ex Shirai f. sp. fusiforme) infection rates are increasing on slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) and either decreasing or about constant on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Currently, stem infections occur on about 1 in 2 slash pines and 1 in 14 loblolly pines. South. J. Appl. For. 10:215-216, Nov. 1986.


1987 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. David Lenhart ◽  
Terry L. Hackett ◽  
Charlie J. Laman ◽  
Thomas J. Wiswell ◽  
Jock A. Blackard

Abstract Equations are presented to estimate total or partial stem content in cubic feet and pounds (green or dry) for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (Pinus elliotti Engelm.) trees planted on non-old-fields in East Texas. Equations are included to estimate the content of the completetree (stem and branches). In addition, a set of compatible stem taper functions are described. South. J. Appl. For. 11(3):147-151.


1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-33
Author(s):  
Donald R. Roberts ◽  
Kenneth W. Outcalt

Abstract Slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm. var elliottii) trees near Olustee, Florida, and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees on the Savannah River Plant near Aiken, South Carolina, were treated with five concentrations of paraquat solution at three application volumes and by two methods to determine the optimum combination of concentration and volume for lightwood production in each species. Tree mortality was considerably higher with the tree injector method than with the bark-streak method. When tree mortality and yield are both considered, the optimum treatment for loblolly pine is 0.8 ml per injection with 6-percent paraquat or 0.5 ml of 7-percent paraquat per 25 mm of bark-streak wound. In slash pine trees, injections of 0.6 to 1 ml of 2-percent paraquat should give acceptable yields.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chakra B. Budhathoki ◽  
Thomas B. Lynch ◽  
James M. Guldin

Abstract Individual tree measurements were available from over 200 permanent plots established during 1985–1987 and later remeasured in naturally regenerated even-aged stands of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. The objective of this study was to model shortleaf pine growth in natural stands for the region. As a major component of the shortleaf modeling effort, an individual tree-level dbh–total height model was developed in which plot-specific random parameters were fitted using maximum-likelihood methods. The model predicts tree height on the basis of dbh and dominant stand height (which could be obtained from a site-index model). The mixed-effects model approach was found to predict the total height better than the similar models developed previously for this species using ordinary least-squares methods. Moreover, such a model has the appeal of generalization of the results over a region from which the plots were sampled; and also of calibration of parameters for newly sampled stands with minimal measurements.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean W. Coble ◽  
Young-Jin Lee

Abstract A parameter recovery procedure for the Weibull distribution function based on four percentile equations was used to develop a new diameter distribution yield prediction model for unmanaged slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantations in East Texas. This new model was similar in structure to the model of Lee and Coble (Lee, Y.J., and D.W. Coble. 2006. A new diameter distribution model for unmanaged loblolly pine plantations in east Texas. South. J. Appl. For. 30(1):13–20) in their work with East Texas loblolly pine plantations. The new model was compared with the diameter distribution model of Lenhart (Lenhart, J.D. 1988. Diameter distribution yield prediction system for unthinned loblolly and slash pine plantations on non-old-fields in east Texas. South. J. Appl. For. 12(4):239–242. 1988), which was developed for slash pine plantations in East Texas, as well as to two other models developed using iterative techniques suggested and inspired by Cao (Cao, Q. 2004. Predicting parameters of a Weibull function for modeling diameter distribution. For. Sci. 50(5):682–685). The model developed in this study was preferred over Lenhart (Lenhart 1988) and the other two models in prediction of total trees per acre, basal area per acre, quadratic mean diameter, and cubic-foot volume per acre (wood and bark, excluding stump). An example also is provided to show users how to use this new yield prediction system. We recommend that the model developed in this study be used to estimate growth and yield of East Texas slash pine plantations.


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