Restoration of aspen-dominated ecosystems in the Lake States

Abstract

A reserve tree method (RTM) of harvesting was installed in six 70-to75-year old aspen-dominated stands to determine if retaining 10 to 15 dominant aspen per acre would decrease sucker density to facilitate restoration of a conifer component. A reserve shelterwood cut was applied to three additional stands to evaluate performance of white pine planted under 50% crown cover. After the first full growing season following harvest, 96% of the RTM harvested areas were stocked; sucker density averaged 27,000 (27 k) per acre versus 38.2 per acre on a clearcut control, 41% greater. Basal diameter of dominant suckers averaged 0.45 inch, 28% greater than the control, and mean height was 60 inches, 33% greater. The control site had 3.1 k stems per acre of associated commercial species versus 5.8 k on the RTM sites, an 87% difference. Four of the nine stands have been planted; first-year survival ranged from 75% to near 100%. The RTM shows promise for reducing sucker density, increasing their early growth, maintaining species diversity, and providing abundant regeneration of commercial species on a high proportion of the areas harvested. Early results indicate that both the RTM and shelterwood methods can facilitiate restoring a component of native conifer species in these ecosystems.

Citation

Stone, Douglas M.; Elioff, John D.; Potter, Donald V.; Peterson, Donald B.; Wagner, Robert. 2000. Restoration of aspen-dominated ecosystems in the Lake States. Sustaining aspen in western landscapes : symposium proceedings : June 13-15, 2000, Grand Junction, Colorado. Fort Collins, Colo. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2001. Proceedings RMRS ; P-18.:p. 137-143.