Reproducing Southern Hardwoods is Easier Than You Think

Abstract

Throughout the South poor upland hardwood stands are being converted to pine, while bottom-land hardwood stands are largely ignored. Why are Southern foresters preoccupied with pines? Uncertainties about hardwood markets and gaps in available information about hardwood management are contributing causes, but fear is probably a key factor. Foresters much prefer the well-established and familiar procedures of pine management to the unfamiliar steps in mixed hardwood management. They fear the task of learning silvical characteristics of a large number of species with which they have never dealt. They fear the need to re-train technicians and crews. They fear all the new problems that hardwood management would entail.

Citation

Johnson, R. L.; Biesterfeldt, R. C. 1971. Reproducing Southern Hardwoods is Easier Than You Think. Southern Lumberman December 15. 2 p.