Growth of oak, ash, and cherry reproduction following overstory thinning of upland hardwood stands in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas
| Authors: | David L. Graney, Thomas L. Rogerson |
| Year: | 1985 |
| Type: | Paper |
| Station: | Southern Research Station |
| Source: | Fifth central hardwood forest conference. SAF Publ. 85-05 |
Abstract
A study of reproduction growth following thinning in mixed upland hardwood stands was initiated in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas inthe spring of 1976. Sixty-four plots, representing a wide range in initial stand age and site quality, were thinned to residual overstory densities ranging from less than 40 percent to over 100 percent relative stocking density. Subcanopy stems in all thinned stands were partially controlled by cutting. Growth of established oak (Quercus alba L., Q. velutina Lam., and Q. rubra L.), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.), and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) advance reproduction was monitored for 5 years following thinning. In nonthinned stands, total oak, ash, and cherry reproduction averaged 3,000 stems per acre; but fewer than 300 per acre were taller than 1 foot, and only 15 stems exceeded a height of 5 feet. In thinned stands, total oak, ash, and cherry reproduction had not changed significantly in the 5 years; however, the number of stems taller than 1 foot had increased to about 1,000 per acre. Stems taller than 5 feet ranged from 90 per acre with the light thinning treatment to nearly 300 per acre in the heavily thinned stands. Five-year height growth of established oak, ash, and cherry reproduction increased significantly with intensity of overstory thinning. Ash and cherry produced maximum height growth ongood to excellent sites, while oaks grew well on all sites.