Suggested stocking levels for forest stands in northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington.

Abstract

Catastrophes and manipulation of stocking levels are important determinants of stand development and the appearance of future forest landscapes. Managers need stocking level guides, particularly for sites incapable of supporting stocking levels presented in normal yield tables. Growth basal area (GBA) has been used by some managers in attempts to assess inherent differences in site occupancy but rarely has been related to Gingrich-type stocking guides. To take advantage of information currently available, we used some assumptions to relate GBA to stand density index (SDI) and then created stocking level curves for use in northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. Use of these curves cannot be expected to eliminate all insect and disease problems. Impacts of diseases, except dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium campylopodum Engelm.), and of insects, except mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonusponderosea Hopkins) and perhaps western pine beetle (Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte), may be independent of density. Stands with mixed tree species should be managed by using the stocking level curves for the single species prescribing the fewest number of trees per acre.

Citation

Cochran, P.H.; Geist, J.M.; Clemens, D.L.; Clausnitzer, Rodrick R.; Powell, David C. 1993. Suggested stocking levels for forest stands in northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. Res. Note PNW-RN-513. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 26 p