Early height growth of ponderosa pine forecasts dominance in plantations

William W. Oliver; Robert F. Powers

Treesearch

Early height growth of ponderosa pine forecasts dominance in plantations

Informally Refereed

Authors:

William W. Oliver, Robert F. Powers

Year:

1971

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Source:

Res. Note PSW-RN-250. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 4 p

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Download (PDF 429 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/31295.pdf

Abstract

Future crown class may be determined well in advance of intertree competition in plantation grown ponderosa pine. Regardless of site quality, dominant trees in 10 California plantations reached breast height ½ year sooner than codominants and 1-½ years sooner than intermediates. Dominant trees on poor sites reached breast height several years earlier than has been reported for natural stands. Failure to recognize this rapid early growth will result in underestimating site index in plantations. Relative height is recommended as a guide in marking thinnings or Christmas tree cuttings.

Keywords

Pinus ponderosa, plantation stands, crown class prediction, pre-commercial thinning

Citation

Oliver, William W.; Powers, Robert F. 1971. Early height growth of ponderosa pine forecasts dominance in plantations. Res. Note PSW-RN-250. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 4 p