Sixth-Year Results Following Partial Cutting For Timber and Wildlife Habitat in a Mixed Oak-Sweetgum-Pine Stand on a Minor Creek Terrace in Southeast Louisiana

Abstract

Hardwood management has primarily focused on highly productive river bottom and upland sites. Less is known about hardwood growth and development on terrace sites. Such sites are usually converted to other uses, especially pine plantations. The objectives of this study, implemented in a minor creek terrace in southeast Louisiana, were to describe changes in stand composition and structure following partial cutting for 3 different management objectives: (1) maximize timber production, (2) maximize wildlife habitat, and (3) to improve timber production and wildlife habitat. Stand composition in 1985 prior to treatment was heavy to oak (72 percent based on importance values) compared to sweetgum (10 percent) and pine (16 percent). Greater diameter growth occurred in the treated plots compared to control 6 years after cutting. Diameter growth differences were also found between crown classes and species groups. Few differences were found in basal area growth between the treatments and the controls while stocking in thetreated plots increased relative to the controls. Results indicate that hardwoods will respond to partial cutting on terrace sites, making hardwood or mixed pine-hardwood management options viable.

Citation

Lockhart, Brian Roy; Linnartz, Norwin E. 2002. Sixth-Year Results Following Partial Cutting For Timber and Wildlife Habitat in a Mixed Oak-Sweetgum-Pine Stand on a Minor Creek Terrace in Southeast Louisiana. In: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-48. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pg. 209-213