Precommercial thinning of water tupelo stands on the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta: third-year results

Abstract

Three 4-year-old stands were selected for precommercial thinning. Treatment consisted of two components: (1) thinning water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.) stump sprouts and dense patches of water tupelo seedlings and (2) cutting all stems of Carolina ash (Fraxinus cariliniana Mill.) and black willow (Salix nigra Marsh.) (cleaning). This approach provided a 2 by 2 factorial with two replications in each stand. Thinning increased average diameter growth of water tupelo stump sprouts, with the greatest increase in one stand that had the highest density of stumps and apparently the highest productivity; cleaning did not increase diameter growth. Thinning decreased stand basal area growth; cleaning did not affect basal area growth. Mortality of water tupelo stump sprouts was negligible. Cleaning may increase the number of water tupelo seedlings, although the evidence from this study is not compelling. Precommercial thinning will probably provide a favorable response in stands with high density of stumps and high productivity.

Citation

Goelz, J.C.G.; Meadows, J.S. 1999. Precommercial thinning of water tupelo stands on the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta: third-year results. Res. Pap. SRS-17. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 8 p.