Maximum stand density for ponderosa pine and red and white fir in northern California

Abstract

Why are forest managers interested in quantifying maximum stand density? Nearly all conceivable management objectives dictate a stand density less than a biological maximum. Certainly, the notion that thinning dense stands increases growth on the remaining trees and reduces mortality is well-established in the literature. The interest in quantifying maximum stand density arises from the need to estimate mortality in growth and yield projection systems. Mortality estimates are the weakest link in all of these systems because it is extremely difficult to predict. Mortality tends to be episodic and often even catastrophic, especially if it is caused by external forces such as bark beetles, root disease, or wind. Mortality arising from intertree competition, on the other hand, tends to be much more uniform and constant fortunately, a method is available to predict this non-episodic and non-catastrophic mortality arising from intertree competition. This method has been variously termed the -3/2 Power Rule or the Self-Thinning Rule.

Citation

Oliver, William.W.; Uzoh, Fabian C.C. 1997. Maximum stand density for ponderosa pine and red and white fir in northern California. In: Proceedings of the 18th Annual Forest Vegetation Management Conference; January 14 - 16, 1997; Sacramento, CA. For. Veg. Manage. Conf., Redding, CA. 57-65