Designing and establishing a fine hardwood timber plantation

Abstract

Today, new tools and lessons learned from established plantations of black walnut and other fine hardwoods can provide landowners with guidelines to design and establish successful plantations to produce quality timber for the future. From earlier plantations now maturing, we can recognize design features critical during establishment. Current production practices combined with improved tools, ongoing genetic improvement, and lessons learned from various spacing and species mixes make it possible to establish higher quality timber plantations today than previously possible. We summarize new tools for assessing the suitability of soils to grow good walnut and present plantation design strategies to enhance the quality of walnut mixed with other hardwoods to minimize risk if walnut does not grow well. We also include design details that can enhance the aesthetic quality of the land and expand wildlife habitat.

Parent Publication

• Managing fine hardwoods after a half century of research: Proceedings of the Seventh Walnut Council Research Symposium

Citation

McKenna, James R.; Farlee, Lenny D. 2013. Designing and establishing a fine hardwood timber plantation. In: Van Sambeek, J.W.; Jackson, Elizabeth A.; Coggeshall, Mark V.; Thomas, Andrew L.; Michler, Charles H. eds. 2013. Managing fine hardwoods after a half century of research: Proceedings of the Seventh Walnut Council Research Symposium; 2011 August 1-3; Madison, WI. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-115. Newtown Square, PA; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 48-67.