Treesearch

For decades, forest researchers in the South have known that early gains in survival and growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) can be achieved by planting large-diameter seedlings (South 1993; Wakeley 1949). For P. radiata, increasing size of planting stock also increases early growth of both seedlings (Mason and others 1996) and cuttings (South and others 2005). Stock is now produced from somatic embryogenesis (Grossnickle and Pait 2008). Although some landowners have paid $0.40 each for such seedlings, data on the effect of stock size on field-growth of tissue-cultured stock are...

Recent decisions by the United States Supreme Court and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have re-emphasized the importance of forestry best management practices (BMPs) at stream crossings. Stream crossings are potential major sources of sediment due to their direct connectivity between the potential erosion source and the stream, which eliminates potential sediment reduction provided by filter/buffer strips and stream side management zones. The effectiveness of stream crossing BMPs for sediment control were tested for a permanent bridge crossing, culvert crossing, and...

Stream crossings for skid trails have high sediment delivery ratios. Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) have proven to be effective for erosion control, but few studies have quantified the impact of various levels of BMPs on sedimentation. In this study, three skid-trail stream-crossing BMP treatments were installed on nine operational stream crossings (three replications) to evaluate the degree of sediment control associated with the different treatments. Treatments were: (1) slash, (2) mulch, and (3) mulch plus silt fence. Upstream and downstream water samples were collected daily...

During the 25 years since establishment of more than 200 growth study plots in even-aged, naturally regenerated shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) forests, there has been considerable development of hardwood understory trees, shrubs, and some shortleaf pine regeneration. During the period from 1985-1987, even-aged shortleaf pine growth-study plots were established on the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.

Expansion of the commercial pine range is one of the opportunities to improve forest production and counterbalance the loss of forest land to other uses. The potential genotypes for the purpose are fast-growing loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), the slower growing, but more drought tolerant shortleaf pine (P. echinata Mill.), and the more cold tolerant pitch x loblolly pine hybrid (P. rigida x taeda). An uncertainty regarding the effect of potential climate change on the future commercial range of pine plantation also calls for the detailed information on survival and growth performance among...

In 2006 the Virginia Department of Forestry established a longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) provenance test on three sites near Richmond, VA, near the most northern native range of longleaf pine. Seedlings were grown in containers at the Virginia Department of Forestry New Kent Forestry Center during the 2005 growing season.

Rapid establishment and early tree growth can be key factors in successful plantation management. This generally entails planting good quality planting stock at a seedling density appropriate for the management objectives and then managing at an appropriate intensity with a goal of fully occupying the site as quickly as possible within the context of those objectives. We established a study to examine the performance of two varietal lines of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) planted at three spacings and managed at two levels of intensity. After five growing seasons, management intensity and...

Landowners face a wide array of loblolly pine genetic material to choose from at the time of regeneration. In general, most opt to plant open-pollinated second-generation stock (second-Gen OP) as previously recommended by either consultants or industry personnel. The goal of this study is to evaluate a selected second-Gen OP family, a selected mass control-pollinated family (MCP), and varietal stock in terms of performance as well as form characteristics. This study was established on an old pasture site near Holly Springs, MS, in a nested randomized complete block design with six blocks,...

Acid deposition induced losses of calcium (Ca) from northeastern forests have had negative effects on forest health for decades, including the mobilization of potentially phytotoxic aluminum (Al) from soils. To evaluate the impact of changes in Ca and Al availability on sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) growth and forest composition following a major ice storm in 1998, we measured xylem annual increment, foliar cation concentrations, American beech root sprouting, and tree mortality at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (Thornton, New...

In the midwestern and eastern U.S., oaks (Quercus spp.) have been a dominant component of forests for at least the last 10,000 years, providing vital habitat for numerous wildlife and plant species that have adapted to oak forest conditions. However, the current state of these oak systems, in which there has been a general lack of successful oak regeneration and recruitment and an increase in the relative dominance of mesophytic species, may be nearing critical thresholds. If reached, restoring oak systems through natural regeneration and other methods, such as prescribed fire, may become...