Treesearch

Yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) is the most abundant individual tree species (in terms of volume) in the southern Appalachian Mountains, with Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) reports documenting a continuous increase in yellow-poplar over the recent years (Brown 2003, Schweitzer 1999, Thompson 1998). Current management efforts in evenaged yellow-poplar stands rarely include thinning operations. However, thinning prescriptions largely driven by timber-related goals and objectives were once commonplace across the region.

Eastern seed sources of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) have been planted in the Western Gulf region for nearly three decades because they often have higher growth rates than local seed sources. However, productivity gains for eastern families are sometimes offset by poorer survival rates relative to local families.

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystems once dominated 60 to 90 million acres and supported one of the most diverse floras in North America. It is well-known that longleaf pine ecosystems must burn frequently to maintain natural structure and function. This vegetation type ranks as one of the most fire-dependent in the country and must burn frequently (multiple times a decade) for natural structure and function to be maintained. Frequent fires maintain relatively low fuel loads, so many burns do not directly affect adult longleaf trees. However all species are immediately affected...

Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) is one of the few southern pine species with the ability to sprout after disturbance during the seedling age range, but little is known about sprouting success based on the type of disturbance. This study evaluates sprouting success after controlled burning conditions or manually clipping as compared to untreated controls of planted shortleaf pine 1-0 seedlings approximately 1 month after planting and on subsequent sprout production and growth one growing season following planting. As part of a larger study, randomized plots of 50 seedlings (3 blocks...

The long history of fire in North America spans millennia and is recognized as an important driver in the widespread and long-term dominance of oak species. Early European settlers intensified the occurrence of fire from about 1850 to 1950, with dates varying by region. This resulted in much forest damage and gained fire a negative reputation. The lack of fire for the past 50 years due to suppression programs is now indicted as a major cause of widespread oak regeneration failures. Alarms are sounding for the continued loss of oak forests. The use of prescribed fire is increasing in forest...

Three forest sites were selected in Louisiana in early 2001. On each site, three treatments were applied: (1) Check: no further management; (2) PF: prescribed fire was applied in May 2001 and June 2003; and (3) PF-MPC: between the two prescribed fires, midstory and understory woody vegetation was masticated with mechanical equipment in July 2002. Management did not change overstory composition, and basal area per ha increased on all treatments through February 2005. Percentage of understory arborescent cover also increased, although less so on PF and PF-MPC treatments than Checks. Herbaceou...

Managers are often asked to include conservation values in forest management plans. In the upland coastal plain of the southeastern United States, fire is an important natural process and a vital land management tool. Many native ecosystems are dependent on frequent burns. It is often suggested that mimicking a natural fire regime is the best way to improve and maintain conservation values in many forest types. Unfortunately, fire return interval has been the primary component of a fire regime historically considered, with seasonality of fire generally playing a lesser role. Here, we...

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Iowa based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. This report includes inventory years 2009-2014 (2014) with comparisons made to 2005-2009 (2009). The current data consist of 634 field plots on forest land, with about 20 percent of plots measured each year.

Prescribed fire is commonly used in silvicultural programs designed to promote oak (Quercus spp.) and hickory (Carya spp.) regeneration in eastern deciduous forests (Brose and others 2008). Thick bark, hypogeal germination, large root systems, repeated-prolific sprouting, and the ability to compartmentalize scars are well-known characteristics that enable oaks and hickories to tolerate fire (Burns and Honkala 1990) unlike certain mesophytic competitors including maples (Acer spp.), black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.).

We summarize 8 years of soil physical property responses to herbicide manipulation of the understory in two young longleaf pine stands growing on either Ruston fine sandy loam or Beauregard silt loam soils. We also describe relationships between pine sapling vigor and the soil physical environment across a 3-year period on the Ruston soil and a 2-year period on the Beauregard soil. It is hypothesized that understory control affects soil porosity, bulk density, and the ability to store plant-available water by a change in the amount and distribution of non-pine roots. Furthermore, Pinus...