Crown Release Promotes Faster Diameter Growth of Pole-Size Black Walnut

Abstract

Complete crown release more than doubles the diameter growth of pole-size black walnut trees in southern Indiana over a 10-year period. Partially released trees gew about 50 percent more than unreleased trees. The faster growth of the released trees was directly related to increases in crown-area expansion. Most of the study trees produced bole sprouts; however, the incidence of sprouting was higher and the sprouts were larger on the completely released trees than on the unreleased trees. Controlling understory growth during the last 6 years of the study had no significant effect on growth of the walnut trees.

Citation

Phares, Robert E.; Williams, Robert D. 1971. Crown Release Promotes Faster Diameter Growth of Pole-Size Black Walnut. Research Note NC-124. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station