Manipulating stand structure of Douglas-fir plantations for wildlife habitat and wood production

Abstract

In southwestern Oregon, a study was initiated by Oregon State University (OSU) in 1983 to determine effects of hardwood competition on Douglas-fir plantation development. The use of herbicides to uniformly suppress competing vegetation—especially fast-growing hardwoods—proved to be an effective approach to ensure dominance and a high level of productivity for planted Douglas-fir. However, contemporary management objectives often include the retention of some hardwoods in a vigorous state to provide habitat and other resource values. The OSU study is providing a clearer picture of how vegetation management and and precommercial thinning can be combined to promote development of a broad range of stand structures in Douglas-fir plantations.

Citation

Harrington, Timothy B. 2010. Manipulating stand structure of Douglas-fir plantations for wildlife habitat and wood production. Western Forester. 55(2): 6-7.