Seedling input, death, and growth in uneven-aged northern hardwoods

1976 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
William B. Leak ◽  
Raymond E. Graber
Keyword(s):  
New Hampshire ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Growth Equations ◽  
Constrained Behavior

Seedling input, death, and diameter growth equations, covering a broad range in stand densities, were developed from short-term remeasured plot data in northern hardwood stands in New Hampshire. Long-term simulated changes in stand structure based on these equations exhibited logical constrained behavior.

scholarly journals Stand Structure in Evenaged Northern Hardwoods: Development and Silvicultural Implications

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-119
Author(s):  
William B. Leak
Keyword(s):  
New Hampshire ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Canopy Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Gradual Transition ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
Paper Birch

Abstract Stand structure was examined in evenaged northern hardwoods in New Hampshire in terms of diameter distribution (numbers of trees by dbh class) and spatial distribution of basal area by species. Diameter distributions by species and for all species combined were graphed for stands varying in age class from 7-9 yr up to 60-68 yr. Over time, these northern hardwood stands develop a layered canopy structure with the intolerant and short-lived paper birch and aspen dominating the larger size classes and exhibiting a bell-shaped diameter distribution. Longer lived species, most abundant in the smaller size classes, exhibit flat or very skewed bell-shaped distributions. The usual silvicultural recommendation in such stands is to thin to prescribed stocking levels, leaving adequate stocking in larger stems of the longer lived species and gradually removing the intolerants as they reach maturity. However, appreciable spatial variation in the abundance of aspen-birch and longer lived species may prevent uniform application of this approach; i.e., some areas in certain stands do not have adequate stocking of the longer lived species once the aspen-birch is removed.In variable stands such as this, a gradual transition to group selection may be a better tactic. North. J. Appl. For. 16(2):115-119.

scholarly journals Diameter Growth in Even- and Uneven-Aged Northern Hardwoods in New Hampshire Under Partial Cutting

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 160-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
William B. Leak
Keyword(s):  
New Hampshire ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Increment Core ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Important Concern ◽  
Understory Trees ◽  
Baseline Diameter

Abstract One important concern in the conversion of even-aged stands to an uneven-aged condition through individual-tree or small-group cutting is the growth response throughout the diameter-class distribution, especially of the understory trees. Increment-core sampling of an older, uneven-aged northern hardwood stand in New Hampshire under management for about 50 years established the baseline diameter-growth responses of the sapling, pole, and sawtimber strata. Growth responses of the poletimber and sawtimber in a 70-year-old even-aged stand were comparable to the uneven-aged stand after an initial partial cutting treatment; growth of the understory began approaching comparable rates after the second entry about 25 years after the first cut. North. J. Appl. For. 21(3):160–163.

Three Basal Area Level Harvest Trials in Uneven-Aged Northern Hardwoods

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blair D. Orr ◽  
David D. Reed ◽  
Glenn D. Mroz
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Discount Rates ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Northern Hardwood

Abstract Beginning in 1958, northern hardwood stands with initial basal areas ranging from 93 to 106 ft²/ac were harvested to residual basal areas of 70, 55, and 40 ft²/ac. Subsequent harvests of the stands over a 32-yr period illustrated potential treatments available to absentee owners of similar stands in small woodlots. In all cases stand quality improved and stand structure became more balanced, with a decrease in the number of trees greater than 20 in. dbh. At discount rates of 2% to 4%, economic returns were greatest for the 70 ft² treatment with a 10 yr cutting cycle. At discount rates of 6, 8, and 10%, the 55 and 40 ft² treatments with 18-and 22-yr cutting cycles, respectively, outperformed the 70 ft² treatment due to greater volume removed during the first (1958) harvest. North. J. Appl. For. 11(4):117-123.

Elevated mortality of residual trees following single-tree felling in northern hardwood forests

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 1255-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P Caspersen
Keyword(s):  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Single Tree

In this paper, I examine tree mortality in northern hardwood forests subjected to single-tree felling. Mortality risk was estimated as a function of growth prior to harvest and time since harvest. This allowed me to separately quantify mortality due to (1) natural processes, (2) intentional felling, and (3) stress and (or) felling damage (postcut mortality). The long-term rate of mortality due to natural causes was 1.5% per year. The intentional felling of trees increased the average mortality to 3.1%, and postcut mortality of residual trees increased the average an additional 0.2%–3.3% (the latter reflects both the direct negative effects of harvesting and the indirect positive effect of releasing residual trees from suppression). Thus, from a population-level perspective, the increased mortality caused by stress and (or) felling damage to residual trees was small compared to that caused by both natural mortality and tree felling. However, the long-term population average obscures more dramatic (though transient) effects of felling on small trees (DBH <10 cm), for which mortality rates increased by as much as 5% immediately after felling. This increase is several times greater than the natural mortality rate for small trees and may therefore have a substantial impact on stand structure and community dynamics.

scholarly journals Growth of Northern Hardwoods in New England: A 25-Year Update

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
William B. Leak ◽  
Jeffrey H. Gove
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
New Hampshire ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Diameter Distributions

Abstract Twenty-five-year results from a study of four stand density levels and three percentages of sawtimber in a beech-red maple-birch-hemlock stand in New Hampshire showed that moderate stand densities of 60- to 80-ft2/ac with 25- to 30-ft2 of sawtimber produced the best growth responses. Ingrowth was dominated by beech, red maple, and hemlock. Treatments with low initial numbers of poletimber stems had well-developed J-shaped or slightly sigmoid diameter distributions after 25 years. Results apply to the first entries into northern hardwood stands ofmoderate vigor and quality.

scholarly journals Assessment of Factors Contributing to Residual Tree Damage from Mechanized Harvesting in Northern Hardwoods

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Seablom ◽  
David D. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Excessive Amount ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Residual Tree ◽  
Silvicultural Prescriptions ◽  
Diameter Classes

Abstract Seven northern hardwood stands were evaluated for damage after mechanized harvesting. Four different harvesting systems were evaluated: harvester and grapple skidder, processor and forwarder, chainsaw and cable skidder, and chainsaw and forwarder. There was not an excessive amount of damage occurring to any of the residual stands, and there was an adequate number of residual trees per acre in all diameter classes to meet residual stand structure goals. The majority of the damage that did occur was to the bole portion of the tree and to the 2–8-in. dbh size classes. There was no strong relationship between amount of damage occurring to residual trees and the number of residual trees per acre, residual basal area per acre, or distance to skid trail. These results indicate that mechanized harvesting can be used in northern hardwoods without causing excessive damage to the residual stand. Recommendations are to continue with current silvicultural prescriptions and to increase forester-operator communication to minimize residual tree damage.North. J. Appl. For. 22(2):124–131.

scholarly journals Cavity Trees, Snags, and Selection Cutting: A Northern Hardwood Case Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S. Kenefic ◽  
Ralph D. Nyland
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Selection System ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Selection Cutting

Abstract Although traditional application of the selection system includes a focus on high-value trees that may reduce cavities and snags, few studies have quantified those habitat features in managed uneven-aged stands. We examined the effects of single-tree selection cutting on cavity trees and snags in a northern hardwood stand immediately prior to the second cutting. Marking followed guidelines proposed by Arbogast, C., Jr. (1957. Marking guides for northern hardwoods under selection system. US For. Serv. Res. Pap. 56, Lake States Forest Experiment Station. 20 p.), with the objective of improving stand quality for timber production while maintaining a balanced diameter distribution. The stand contained seven species of cavity trees and snags; sugar maple and American beech were most common, the latter comprising 20% of snags and 26% of cavity trees despite its relatively minor (7%) contribution to stand basal area. We found that 92% of cavity trees were live, underscoring the value of living trees as sources of cavities. Precut cavity tree density (25.2 live cavity trees per hectare) was more than twice that found in other studies of selection stands, although density of snags (11.0 snags per hectare) was comparable or lower. More than 50% of sampled cavity trees were designated for removal in the second selection cut, reducing projected postcut density to 11.0 live cavity trees per hectare, a density similar to that found in other studies. Postcut density of large cavity trees (3.3 live trees >45 cm dbh per hectare) exceeded published guidelines for northern hardwoods (0.25 to 2.5 live cavity trees >45 cm dbh per hectare). We speculate that the relatively high maximum diameter (61 cm dbh) and long cutting cycle (20 years) used to define the target stand structure may have contributed to the number of cavity trees observed. Nevertheless, selection cutting as applied in this study will likely reduce cavity abundance unless retention of trees with decay is explicitly incorporated into the management strategy.

Cleaning and Early Crop-Tree Release in Northern Hardwood Stands: A Review

1991 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Heitzman ◽  
Ralph D. Nyland
Keyword(s):  
Field Tests ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Tree Quality

Abstract Published information indicates that cleaning among sapling-stage northern hardwoods has value for maintaining species that might otherwise become overtopped and lost from a stand. Cleaning will also stimulate the diameter growth of trees in upper crown positions, but may delay the dying and self-pruning of lower branches and thereby affect tree quality. Removing adjacent trees that touch the crowns of a selected number of crop trees has proven efficient and effective. However, field tests have not yet provided growth and yield data for assessment of the long-term effect on tree quality, or the economic benefits from such treatments. North. J. Appl. For. 8(3):111-115.

scholarly journals Impact of long and short-term conservation periods on structure of English yew (Taxus baccata L.) in Arasbaran forests, Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 272-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajad Ghanbari ◽  
Kiomars Sefidi ◽  
Matthew Aghai
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxus Baccata ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Reference Tree ◽  
Evans Index

Yew (Taxus baccata L.) is one of the most important and threatened tree species in the Arasbaran region of northwestern Iran. To understand the natural stand structure of yew forests to inform forest management, we assessed the structural characteristics and composition of yew communities using the nearest neighbour and full callipering method at three sites with different conservation histories. Within a one-hectare sampling area, tree species identity, diameter, height, and crown diameter were measured. In each of these sampling areas, 56 sample points were surveyed in a 25 m × 25 m grid for tree species identity, diameter, height, and distance from reference to neighbour trees. To quantify the structural characteristics in areas of different conservation status, some indices were calculated including mingling, distance between reference tree and its nearest neighbouring trees, diameter and height differentiation, uniform angle, and Clark-Evans index. Results revealed that four species – hornbeam (68%), maple (8%), yew (7%), and oak (5.2%) – composed 88% of the tree species. The majority of trees had a short distance (2–3 m) between neighbours. The mean diameter differentiation index for long-term and short-term conservation areas was 0.59 and 0.06, respectively. The uniform angle index showed that there was no class value = “1” at all three sites. In the long-term enclosed area, Clark-Evans index was 1.18. In short-term enclosed areas, it was less than 1 (0.82). At all sites, yew trees were in the least vital class. We conclude that enclosing affects the yew stand structure, specifically in long-term periods of enclosure.

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