Treesearch

Agricultural straw is used in forested areas of the United States for erosion control on burned areas, harvest landings, decommissioned road prisms, road cuts and fills, and other areas of disturbed soil. However, an increased agronomic and ecological value for straw; an increased utilization for energy production, fiber panels, and other higher value uses; a realization of the potential of a weed and chemical residue source; and a realization of straw as a source of allergens to workers that handle straw have challenged the perceived advantages of agricultural straw.

National Forest managers in the Interior Highlands of Arkansas are restoring 155,000 acres of unburned shortleaf pine stands to shortleaf pine-bluestem habitat. Habitat restoration consists of longer rotations, removal of midstory hardwoods, and reintroduction of fire. A study was installed in the spring of 2000 to evaluate shortleaf pine regeneration and overstory stand growth under treatment. At this point in the study, there is no difference in milacre stocking of pines related to number of growing seasons after burning. Analysis suggests that residual basal areas below 50 ft2 per acre...

Wildfires in 2000 burned over 500,000 forested ha in the Northern Rocky Mountains. In 2001, National Fire Plan funding became available to evaluate the influence of pre-wildfire forest structure on post wildfire fire severity. Results from this study will provide information on forest structures that are resilient to wildfire. Three years of data (558 plots) have been collected from forested areas that burned in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Forests used in this study include dry ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir, cold lodgepole pine/subalpine fir, and moist western larch forests. Probability sampling of...

In general, silviculture can be defined as the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, competition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis (Helms 1998). This definition or variations of it have existed since the late 1800s. Gifford (1902), an Assistant Professor of Forestry at Cornell University in New York, used the term arboriculture to describe the growing of trees for any purpose and in any way whatever – singly, in groups, or in the form of forests. He went on to define...

Pringle Falls Experimental Forest has been a center for research in ponderosa pine forests east of the crest of the Cascade Range since 1931. Long-term research facilities, sites, and future research opportunities are currently at risk from stand-replacement wildfire because of changes in stand structure resulting from past fire exclusion. At the same time, many of the special values are increasingly at risk from recreational impacts and nearby urban development. We describe the special values associated with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) stands in the Experimental...

In northern Rocky Mountain moist forests, riparian systems contain many attributes that create unique biophysical conditions that alter disturbances and microenvironments; thus creating distinct forest structures, species composition, and management challenges. For example, browsing, limited opening size, competition from surrounding ground vegetation, high soil moisture, and cold air drainage challenge the application of any silvicultural method, but if these aspects are considered prior to applying restoration efforts, they can also facilitate a successful result. This paper discusses a...

Southwestern pinyon-juniper and juniper woodlands cover large areas of the western United States. The woodlands have been viewed as places of beauty and sources of valuable resource products or as weed-dominated landscapes that hinder the production of forage for livestock. They are special places because of the emotions and controversies that encircle their management. Silvicultural methods can be employed on better sites to meet multiresource objectives and to maintain the health and sustainability of the woodlands. Silviculture must be based on an understanding of the silvics of the...

The long history of deer overabundance in Pennsylvania is associated with very high reforestation costs and substantial threats to diversity and sustainability. In response to this legacy, several landowners and agency personnel formed the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative (KQDC) in partnership with the Sand County Foundation. This Cooperative focuses on about 74,000 acres in the northeast corner of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF), the setting for the Sugar Run Project under planning by the ANF at present. The goals of the KQDC are to develop a quality deer herd in quality habitat...

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystems once occupied 90 million acres in the southern United States’ coastal plain. Restoration of longleaf pine ecosystems has been difficult because reestablishment of the species by either natural or artificial means has been problematic. The application of container seedling technology to longleaf pine markedly improves reforestation success. It allows nursery managers and silviculturists to more effectively deal with the inherent seed and seedling characteristics that make longleaf establishment so difficult. Improved seed collecting and...

In areas considered high hazard for blister rust in the northern Lake States, six white pine plantings were established between 1989 and 1999 to: (1) evaluate the impacts of blister rust, white pine weevil, browsing, and competition stress on tree growth and survival, and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of genetic and silvicultural strategies to minimize damage. The effectiveness of a genetic approach is being examined by evaluating seedlings from selected rust-free source trees (seed orchard collected seed) vs. non-selected nursery seedlings (field collected seed). The silvicultural...