Structural Characteristics of Old- and Second-Growth Stands of Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) in the Gulf Coastal Region of the U.S.A.

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill M. Noel ◽  
William J. Platt ◽  
E. Barry Moser
Keyword(s):  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Pinus Palustris ◽  
Second Growth

scholarly journals The University of West Florida Campus Ecosystem Study: Age-Diameter and Growth Relationships of Longleaf Pine Using Hurricane-Induced Windthrows

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank S. Gilliam ◽  
Heather N. Patten ◽  
Sarah K. Rabinowitz
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Pinus Palustris ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Florida Panhandle ◽  
Longleaf Pines ◽  
Southern Georgia ◽  
The University

Abstract The campus of the University of West Florida was constructed among second-growth longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) stands that survived extensive logging in the Florida Panhandle. Previous studies on longleaf pine on the main UWF campus have estimated that 65% of these pines are 75 to 125 years old, with estimates based on a model from old-growth longleaf in southern Georgia. To obtain more accurate age data, one can use an increment corer to collect samples from live trees on site; more accurately, disks can be collected from recently fallen trees. On 16 September 2020, Hurricane Sally impacted UWF as a Category 2 storm, with winds reaching 125 kph. Our study took advantage of longleaf pines blowdowns by Sally to obtain cross-sections for age determinations. Two on-campus natural areas were chosen for sampling: the Edward Ball Nature Trail and the Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary. For each sampled section, diameter at breast height (DBH) and number of annual rings were recorded. Based on a total of 50 sampled trees, linear regression revealed a highly significant (P<0.00001; r2 =0.84) relationship between DBH and age. Applying this to DBH measures of 2,165 stems on the main campus indicates that the oldest longleaf pines are ~130 years old (mean age = 63.9±0.4 yr), consistent with cessation of historically wide-spread harvesting in the region. Mean age for the Trails site (55.7±1.6 yr) was significantly lower than that of the Sanctuary (66.7±2.0 yr), suggesting that they represented sites of contrasting land-use history. Direction of stem windthrows did not vary between natural areas and was consistent with characteristics of the eyewall of Hurricane Sally with strongest wind gusts moving from a southeast to northwest direction.

Overstory mortality and canopy disturbances in longleaf pine ecosystems

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 2035-2047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Palik ◽  
Neil Pederson
Keyword(s):  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Redundancy Analysis ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Canopy Structure ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Second Growth

We studied longleaf pine (Pinuspalustris Mill.) ecosystems to determine causes and rates of overstory mortality, size of canopy disturbances, and the effects of disturbance on canopy structure. Further, we used redundancy analysis to relate variation in characteristics of mortality across a landscape to site and stand variables. We analyzed mortality that occurred from 1990 to 1994 in 70 second-growth plots that spanned a range of site conditions and stand structures, and in five large disturbances that occurred outside the random sample of plots. Half of pine mortality over 5 years in the 70 plots was from unknown causes. Lightning was the primary identifiable cause of mortality, followed by suppression and wind. Lightning mortality was most frequent on xeric sites, while windthrow was common on wet–mesic sites. Suppression mortality was frequent on wet–mesic sites and in higher density stands. Five-year mortality rates averaged 2.3 trees/ha, or 1.9% of original density. Most mortality consisted of single trees. Large disturbances (mostly from lightning) of 15–30 trees were rare, occurring once per 1000 ha in 5 years. Variation in amount of mortality and size of disturbance were unrelated to soil or stand structural characteristics. Low mortality rates from small-scale disturbances result in slow canopy turnover. These results indicate that large openings sufficient for natural regeneration of longleaf pine develop slowly in the absence of hurricanes. Silvicultural options for longleaf pine can be designed to mimic the canopy structure that results from natural canopy disturbances, which leave many live trees standing. Such options may be desirable if a goal of silviculture is to increase structural complexity in stands managed for timber.

Thirty Years of Management on a Small Longleaf Pine Forest

1981 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Boyer ◽  
Robert M. Farrar
Keyword(s):  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Pinus Palustris ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Balanced Distribution ◽  
Grass Stage

Abstract A management demonstration in an understocked 40-acre tract of second-growth longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forest in south Alabama was begun in 1948. The management goal for this "farm forty" is to produce high-quality poles and logs on a 60-year rotation. Initial sawlog volume averaged 3,559 board feet per acre. Although periodic harvests removed 3,833 board feet per acre, standing volume after 30 years of management had increased to 5,408 board feet per acre. Over half the Forty has been harvested and naturally regenerated to longleaf, with the shelterwood system, and now supports stands ranging in size from grass-stage seedlings to small poles. Management costs have been minor. Continued management will lead to optimum stocking and a balanced distribution of age classes.

scholarly journals A Generational Change in Site Index for Naturally Established Longleaf Pine on a South Alabama Coastal Plain Site

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Boyer
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Pinus Palustris ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Generational Change ◽  
Index Data ◽  
Second Growth

Abstract Research on longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) has been carried out for over 50 yr on a coastal plain site in south Alabama. Studies have included the original second-growth stands and also naturally established third-growth stands. Site index data revealed that estimated site index values for third growth generally exceeded those for second growth. Age 50 site index in 16 study compartments with second growth near index age averaged 66 ft. Estimated site index for third-growth stands recorded in 17 different compartments averaged 81 ft. Nine of the 16 compartments with second-growth stands now include third growth about 40 yr in age. This provided an opportunity to make a direct comparison of generational site index differences within the same compartments. Site index for second growth averaged 65 ft (range 61 to 70 ft), while third growth averaged 83 ft (range 77 to 87 ft). Reasons for this large increase in apparent site quality are unknown, but since soils are the same, some climate changes may be suspect. South. J. Appl. For. 25(2):88–92.

Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) Branch Pruning by Prescribed Fire

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P McGuire ◽  
John S Kush ◽  
J Morgan Varner ◽  
Dwight K Lauer ◽  
J Ryan Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Pinus Palustris ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Prescribed Fires ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
Southeastern Us ◽  
Tree Survival ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Efforts to restore longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) in the southeastern US require substantial artificial regeneration. Once established, important questions remain about when to introduce fire. We investigated the impact of initial planting density on tree branching and how prescribed fire might interact with tree architecture and survival. A particular focus was on how prescribed fires could “prune” lower branches. Lower density plantings (897 trees ha−1) had more and larger live lower branches than higher density plantings (2,243 trees ha−1). Fire was effective in pruning lower branches regardless of season burned, but fire in the growing season was more effective at pruning. Branches up to a height of 1.5 to 2 m were killed by fire. Fire applied in August caused greater damage with more needles scorched and/or consumed and more stem char. Prescribed fire did not impact longleaf pine tree survival. In general, fire applied to longleaf pine facilitated pruning lower branches that affect long-term wood quality, an additional argument for its utility in restoration and management of these ecosystems.

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