Brush competition retards early stand development of planted ponderosa pine: update on a 24-year study

Abstract

Growth of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) was monitored for 24 years after planting at five different square spacings (6, 9. 12, 15, and 18 ft) in the presence or absence of competing brush on the westside Sierra Nevada. Spacing strongly influenced both mean dbh and basal area/ac. In plots maintained free of brush, diameters ranged from 5.1 in. at the 6-ft spacing to 11.4 in. at the 18-ft spacing after 24 years. Over all spacings, brush reduced mean dbh by 20% and basal area/ac by 37%. Projections of mean dbh suggest that yield losses resulting from brush competition depend on the objective and intensity of management. A long rotation and low intensity of management would result in a negligible reduction in final yield on this productive site. If, however, an intermediate harvest and short rotation are planned, yield losses will be substantial.

Citation

Oliver, W.W. 1990. Brush competition retards early stand development of planted ponderosa pine: update on a 24-year study. In: Proceedings, 11th Annual Conference on Forest Vegetation Management. Forest Vegetation Management Conference: 107-113.