Effect of cultural treatments on regeneration of native woodlands on the Northern Great Plains

Abstract

Two cultural treatments were evaluated over a 6-year post-treatment period to determine their effect on regeneration of native woodlands in southwestern North Dakota. Cultural treatments included livestock exclusion and the combination of felling and removal of low-vigor trees and transplanting of woody plants. Shrub density varied by species when grazed and ungrazed treatments were compared. American elm (Ulmus americana) increased on grazed areas. Thinning and removal of decadent tree stems stimulated sprout regeneration of green ash (Fraxinum pennsylvanica) and American elm, and resulted in increased densities of seedlings. Survival of trees increased with sprouting even on grazed stands. Transplanting of woody plants was successful, and when grazing was excluded, survival of plants improved by about 36%.

Citation

Uresk, Daniel W.; Boldt, Charles E. 1986. Effect of cultural treatments on regeneration of native woodlands on the Northern Great Plains. Prairie Naturalist. 18(4): 193-202.