Treesearch

With the increasing interest in short-rotation woody crop (SRWC) systems, an accurate yet quick, non-destructive means for determining aboveground biomass is necessary from both management and research perspectives.

We know that planting trees is a key approach for mitigating climate change; however, we are uncertain of what planting density per unit of land and what cultural regimes are needed to optimize traditional timber products, feedstock, and carbon sequestration.

The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) offers an ecological niche for short-rotation woody crop (SRWC) production by mating marginal agricultural land with optimal growing conditions. Approximately 1.7 million ha within the LMAV consist of Sharkey shrink-swell clays. They are considered marginal in terms of traditional agricultural productivity due to their hydric characteristics (Vepraskas and Richardson 1997). However, these soils are ideal for SRWC production using native, welladapted species.

Global energy supply concerns and increasing energy consumption are forcing our society to look into non-fossil-based energy sources and fuels to supplement humanity’s ever growing energy requirements (Hahn 1984, Jenkins and others 2004, Smith 1985, Stortz 1975)

In this study, we examine how family forest owners who receive various types of assistance differ from unassisted landowners with respect to their forestland management practices, attitudes and concerns, and future management, use, and ownership intentions. We do so by utilizing a national database containing information on private forest owners and the forestland they own. By defining an assisted landowner according to several attributes contained in this database (e.g., has a forest management plan, received cost-share assistance, or received advice), important similarities and difference...

Forests in the southeastern United States managed extensively (minimal silvicultural treatments) generally have low productivity rates (Fox and others 2007). Conversely, intensively managed stands have significantly increased productivity in this region, from 2 m3 ha-1 year -1 to a range of 6 to 10 m3 ha-1 year -1 (Fox and others 2007).

Eastern hemlock [Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.] is a foundation species that occupies a unique niche in forest ecosystems and which often forms pure stands throughout the eastern United States.

Exotic, invasive plants are a significant concern for forest managers and conservation-minded private landowners.

Chinese tallow [Triadica sebifera (L.) Small] is an aggressive, fast-growing, highly adaptable invasive tree of the southeastern United States coastal region. Since its introduction in the early 1800s, Chinese tallow has become a serious threat to native grassland and forest communities from mid-coastal North Carolina to Northern Florida and West to Central Texas

Seedling mortality due to meadow vole herbivory is an often acknowledged but relatively unstudied aspect of hardwood afforestation. Vole-induced mortality is not typically a major item of concern in afforestation attempts. However, damage has been extreme in some plantings. A total of 4,320 bare-root Nuttall oak (Quercus texana Buckley), Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii Buckley), and swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii Nutt.) seedlings were planted in February 2008 on three Mississippi sites. All sites were of comparable soils and received above average precipitation throughout the 3-year...