Sustaining aspen productivity in the Lake States

Abstract

Sustaining forest productivity requires maintaining soil productivity. Management activities that decrease soil porosity and remove organic matter can reduce productivity. We determined effects of three levels of organic matter removal (OMR) and soil compaction on aspen regeneration and growth following winter harvest of aspen-dominated stands in northern Minnesota, western Upper Michigan, and northern lower Michigan. The OMR treatments were merchantable bole harvest (MBH), total tree harvest (TTH), and total woody vegetation harvest plus forest floor removal (FFR). Compaction treatments were applied to increase surface soil bulk density by either 0, 15, or 30%. Sucker density increased with level of OMR on all three sites. On the sand site, mean diameter, height, and biomass were greatest with MBH and decreased with increasing OMR, indicating a potential decline in productivity with repeated total tree harvesting on sand soils. Soil compaction tended to increase mean sucker diameter and height on the sand, and decrease them on the fine-textured soils. Compaction greatly reduced sucker density and growth on the most productive silt-loam site, partially due to late spring treatment. These results apply to planning of operational harvest of aspen-dominated stands on similar soils throughout the northern Great Lakes region.

Parent Publication

• Sustaining aspen in western landscapes: Symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO

Citation

Stone, Douglas M. 2001. Sustaining aspen productivity in the Lake States. In: Shepperd, Wayne D.; Binkley, Dan; Bartos, Dale L.; Stohlgren, Thomas J.; Eskew, Lane G., comps. Sustaining aspen in western landscapes: Symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-18. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 47-60.