Stand density-a factor affecting stem quality of young hardwoods

David L. Sonderman; David L. Sonderman

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-561

Treesearch

Stand density-a factor affecting stem quality of young hardwoods

Informally Refereed

Authors:

David L. Sonderman, David L. Sonderman

Year:

1985

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-561

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-561. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 8 p.

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Download (PDF 790 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/21735.pdf

Abstract

A 14-year-old mixed oak stand was thinned in 1977 to stocking levels of 30, 50, and 60 percent and a control. From this stand, 117 trees were selected and their stem-related defects recorded. Six years later these same trees were reevaluated. The number of limb defects per square foot of surface area increased substantially more in the heavily thinned plots than in the unthinned plots. Trends in these data confirm commonly held beliefs that stand density affects stem quality after only a few years.

Keywords

stand density, thinning, stem quality

Citation

Sonderman, David L. 1985. Stand density-a factor affecting stem quality of young hardwoods. Res. Pap. NE-561. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 8 p.