Costs of reducing sapling basal area in thinned cherry-maple stands in West Virginia

Gary Miller

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-540

Treesearch

Costs of reducing sapling basal area in thinned cherry-maple stands in West Virginia

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Gary Miller

Year:

1984

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-540

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-540. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiement Station. 6p.

Download (PDF 954 KB)

Download (PDF 954 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/15091.pdf

Abstract

Unmanaged 60-year-old cherry-maple stands in West Virginia were thinned to three levels of stocking according to the Allegheny hardwoods stocking guide. After the merchantable timber was removed, the basal area in saplings was reduced to less than 10 ft² per acre (2.3 m²/ha), as the guide recommends for stands with dense understories. A detailed time study revealed that cutting saplings with chain saws costs about $17.00 per acre ($42/ha). This amount may be recoverable in increased yield, tax deductions, and fuelwood sales.

Keywords

cost data, sapling removal, thinning, stocking, northern hardwoods

Citation

Miller, Gary W. 1984. Costs of reducing sapling basal area in thinned cherry-maple stands in West Virginia. Res. Pap. NE-540. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiement Station. 6p.