Heavy thinning of ponderosa pine stands: An Arizona case study

Peter F. Ffolliott; Jr. Baker; Gerald J. Gottfried

doi:10.2737/RMRS-RP-22

Treesearch

Heavy thinning of ponderosa pine stands: An Arizona case study

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Peter F. Ffolliott, Jr. Baker, Gerald J. Gottfried

Year:

2000

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RMRS-RP-22

Source:

Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-22. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 6 p.

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Download (PDF 224 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/6044.pdf

Abstract

Growth and structural changes in a mosaic of even-aged ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) stands were studied for 25 years to determine the long-term impacts of a heavy thinning treatment to a basal-area level of 25 ft²/acre. Basal area and volume growth of these stands has increased since thinning and likely will continue to increase as the residual trees increase in size. Furthermore, future stand integrity should be maintained at relatively low-density levels. It is unlikely, however, that timber production could be sustained at this level. A more plausible scenario is to manage the watershed for other resource values available from ponderosa pine stands.

Keywords

thinning treatments, ponderosa pine, timber-stand improvement, stand integrity, basal-area levels

Citation

Ffolliott, Peter F.; Baker, Jr., Malchus B.; Gottfried, Gerald J. 2000. Heavy thinning of ponderosa pine stands: An Arizona case study. Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-22. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 6 p.