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Abstract
In winter 1995, five crop tree thinning plots were established in central Connecticut. Stands were mature red oak sawtimber (74-94 years old) with no history of prior management. Crop trees were upper canopy red oaks (northern red, black, and scarlet) with a potential grade 1 or 2 butt log. Growth of crop trees was monitored for the next 12 years. Diameter, cubic-foot, and board-foot growth was increased by release on three or four sides (complete release). This increase was maintained for at least 12 years. Mean diameter growth 0-3 years after cutting was slightly greater, 18 percent, for completely released trees than for unreleased trees.
Parent Publication
Citation
Ward, Jeffrey S. 2008. Crop tree release increases growth of red oak sawtimber in southern New England: 12-year results. In: Jacobs, Douglass F.; Michler, Charles H., eds. 2008. Proceedings, 16th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 2008 April 8-9; West Lafayette, IN. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-24. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 457-465.
