Stump sprouting of Pacific yew.

Abstract

Large numbers of Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia Nutt.) trees have been cut to supply bark for taxol production, and replacement of those trees may depend on their ability to sprout from the stump. Stump characteristics were related to the initiation and survival of epicormic branches (sprouts) on 100 yew stumps in each of 11 recently harvested stands during 1992. Half of the stumps were artificially shaded, and all were remeasured in 1993. The number of living stumps in each stand was positively correlated with average stump height and average percentage of bark retained. Postharvest sprouting was most abundant on stumps with established sprouts or live branches. For individual stumps, the number and length of preharvest sprouts were the only variables consistently related to number of postharvest sprouts. Artificial shading did not promote sprouting.

Citation

Minore, Don; Weatherly, Howard G. 1996. Stump sprouting of Pacific yew. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-378. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 6 p