Treesearch
Growth of western larch after thinning from above and below to several density levels: 10-year results.
| Authors: | K.W. Seidel |
| Year: | 1980 |
| Type: | Research Note |
| Station: | Pacific Northwest Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RN-366 |
| Source: | Res. Note PNW-RN-366. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 20 p |
Download (PDF 312 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/7632.pdf
Abstract
The 10-year growth of a 55-year-old, even-aged western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) stand after it was thinned from above and below to a wide range of stocking levels was measured in eastern Oregon. Basal area and volume growth increased as stand density increased for both thinning methods. Despite heavy infestations of the larch casebearer during the last 4 years, diameter growth was greater in the second 5-year period than the first, but height growth was reduced considerably because of top dieback.Thinning from above reduced net volume growth because of mortality caused by windthrow and exposure, although surviving trees responded well to increased growing space during the second period. Thinning from below is recommended in unmanaged larch stands.