Download (PDF 1.96 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/15387.pdf
Abstract
This report is an attempt to integrate and summarize research results from studies made mostly in West Virginia and to show the relationship of site quality and cutting practices to hardwood reproduction, with special emphasis on species composition. Reproduction has been found satisfactory in numbers and distribution after both clearcutting and selection cutting, but the species composition differs greatly: shade-tolerant species predominate after selection cutting, but generally a good proportion of the regeneration that follows clearcutting will be composed of intolerant species - depending somewhat on the density of advance reproduction and the abundance and species composition of stump sprouts. Site quality influences the species composition of reproduction after cutting, and the effect is greater with clearcutting than with selection cutting. After clearcutting, on the excellent sites we can expect a good representation of yellow-poplar and black cherry; and on the fair sites we can expect a variable number of oak stems. After selection cutting, we get beech and sweet birch on both sites with sugar maple predominant on the excellent site and red maple better represented on the fair site. When group selection or patch cutting is the reproduction method, and where the objective is a good species mix including some intolerants, results of research suggest that openings should be at least 1/2 acre and preferably 1 acre. Some factors other than site quality and cutting practice that affect the nature of regeneration are: species composition of the overstory, season of cutting, density of low vegetation, presence of grapevines, and damage by spring frosts.
Citation
Trimble, G. R., Jr. 1973. The regeneration of central hardwoods with emphasis on the effects of site quality and harvesting practice. Res. Pap. NE-282. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 14p.
