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Abstract
Young even-aged hardwood stands undergo a period of intense competition and self-thinning during the early years of stand development. During this time relatively little growth is accumulated by stems which will persist until rotation age. Silvicultural manipulations which accelerate the rate of stand development, concentrate growth on fewer stems of desirable species and reduce rotation age would be useful options for forest managers. This study reports on an experiment in a 7-year-old stand in northeastern NC, in which growth responses to thinning to 3000 trees per acre and fertilization with N and P were evaluated. Findings indicate that after 3 years, thinning alone did not significantly enhance growth, while fertilization alone or in combination with thinning enhanced growth, and in similar amounts.
Citation
Newton, Leslie P.; Robison, Daniel J.; Hansen, Gerald; Allen, H. Lee. 2002. Fertilization Thinning in a 7-Year-Old Natural Hardwood Stand in Eastern North Carolina. In: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-48. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pg. 193-195
