Stand development 18 years after gap creation in a uniform Douglas-fir plantation

Robert Curtis; Connie Harrington; Leslie C. Brodie

doi:10.2737/PNW-RP-610

Treesearch

Stand development 18 years after gap creation in a uniform Douglas-fir plantation

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Robert Curtis, Connie Harrington, Leslie C. Brodie

Year:

2017

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RP-610

Source:

Res. Pap. PNW-RP-610. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 28 p.

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Abstract

This report gives early results, 18 years after treatment and 30 years after planting, from a trial of early thinning and gap creation intended to increase biodiversity in a very uniform extensive Douglas-fir plantation. Gap creation has introduced canopy irregularity and a substantial hemlock component into what was originally a very uniform pure Douglas-fir plantation, produced some natural regeneration of Douglas-fir, and considerably changed diameter distributions. Long-term effects will depend on whether additional stand density manipulation is carried out in coming years.

Keywords

Pseudotsuga menziesii, variable density thinning, biodiversity, stand structure

Citation

Curtis, Robert O.; Harrington, Constance A.; Brodie, Leslie C. 2017. Stand development 18 years after gap creation in a uniform Douglas-fir plantation. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-610. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 28 p.