Growth after thinning ponderosa and Jeffrey pine pole stands in northeastern California

Abstract

Thinning ponderosa and Jeffrey pine pole stands (6 to 8 inches d.b.h.) on Meyer Site Classes IV and V land (site index 65 to 80) stimulates growth in diameter and height. This was concluded from data on 12 thinned plots scattered over northeastern California, in natural stands and in a plantation. Basal areas immediately after thinning ranged from 13 to 149 square feet per acre. Stands had many dissimilarities before thinning. Nevertheless, results allow the conclusion that thinning to about 80 square feet of basal area per acre will bring such stands to merchantable size as rapidly as possible with negligible loss of cubic-foot volume production.

Keywords

Pinus ponderosa, Pinus jeffreyi, thinning response, diameter growth, basal area, increment, stocking level, Lassen National Forest, Modoc National Forest

Citation

Oliver, William W. 1972. Growth after thinning ponderosa and Jeffrey pine pole stands in northeastern California. Res. Paper PSW-RP-85. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 8 p