Ten-year growth response of red and white oak crop trees to intensity of crown release
| Authors: | David L. Graney |
| Year: | 1998 |
| Type: | Paper |
| Station: | Southern Research Station |
| Source: | Proceedings of the ninth biennial southern silvicultural research conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-20 |
Abstract
A thinning study of 60-year-old northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), black oak (Q. velutina Lam.), and white oak (Q. alba L.) was superimposed on an existing crown-release study in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas during the summer of 1985. In the new study, individual crop trees were released to achieve relative stocking densities of 40 percent, 60 percent, or 80 percent, and control. The rule thinning method, which defines a thinning radius based on d.b.h., was employed. Ten-year diameter-growth response was influenced by the previous crown release treatment, species, and relative stocking density. Rule thinning can be used to effectively release potential red and white oak crop trees in intermediate-aged mixed oak stands. However, some competing trees—such as leaning trees, and large-diameter trees upslope from the crop tree—may reduce growth benefits. These situations have to be considered for successful application ofrule thinning.