Girdling as a means of removing undesirable tree species from the western white pine type

Abstract

Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and white or grand fir (Abies grandis), two shade-tolerating species which are found in more or less abundance in the western white pine type in northern Idaho and northwestern Montana, must usually be classified as undesirable species silviculturally, and for several reasons. In both species the liability to infection by heart-rot at an early age causes such a high percentage of defect that by the time the trees reach merchantable or saw-log size they are apt to be largely or entirely worthless. Even when sound, the material produced by these species is of poor quality and low value; and in stands in which they occur to any extent the stumpage yield per acre is materially decreased by the fact that they occupy space which might support more valuable species.

Citation

Brewster, Donald R.; Larsen, Julius A. 1925. Girdling as a means of removing undesirable tree species from the western white pine type. Journal of Agricultural Research. 31: 267-274.