Trunk and root sprouting on residual trees after thinning a Quercus chrysolepis stand

Abstract

Canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis Liebm.) showed sprouting patterns on root and trunk zones foUowing forest thinning. Root sprouting was heaviest on north and east (downhill) sides of residual trees; bole sprouts were concentrated on the south and west (uphill). Root and bole sprouting appeared to be responding to different stimuli, or responding differently to the same kind of stimulus. Thinning affected sprout growth, but not sprout numbers. Sprouting responses were at the tree level rather than the thinning treatment leveL Unexpected sprouting occurred in uncut control plots. Light, temperature, or mechanical activity may have affected sprouting on trees in the thinned  plots. A better understanding of factors affecting sprout physiology in this species is required in order to fuUy explain sprouting responses following stand thinning.

Citation

Paysen, Timothy E.; Narog, Marcia G.; Tissell, Robert G.; Lardner, Melody A. 1991. Trunk and Root Sprouting on Residual Trees After Thinning a Quercus chrysolepis Stand. Forest Science 37(1): 17-27