Development patterns in two hemlock–hardwood stands in southern New England

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 885-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Kelty
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Canopy Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Northern Red Oak ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Constant Rate

Two forest stands, composed primarily of northern red oak (Quercusrubra L.), red maple (Acerrubrum L.), and eastern hemlock (Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carr.), were studied by stand-reconstruction techniques to determine the pattern of development of canopy structure. One stand had originated following clear-cutting 87 years ago; the other, following catastrophic windthrow 44 years ago. Juvenile height growth of the hardwood species was much greater than that of hemlock and a stratified canopy developed by age 30 years, with hardwoods forming an overstory canopy above hemlock. Hemlocks maintained overstory positions only if they were 3 m or more in height immediately following canopy disturbance. In the older stand, hardwood height growth was about twice that of the tallest understory hemlocks during the first 30 years. The hardwood overstory slowed after that and grew at the same rate as the tallest understory hemlocks, which maintained a constant rate of height growth, and a constant to accelerating rate of basal area growth for much of the 87-year measurement period. The height growth of the tallest understory hemlocks was apparently limited in part by breakage of terminal shoots, caused by abrasion against branches of overstory hardwood crowns.

The Use of Tree Shelters with Northern Red Oak Natural Regeneration in Southern New England

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 141-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Kittredge ◽  
Matthew J. Kelty ◽  
P. Mark S. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Size Class ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Northern Red Oak ◽  
Deer Browsing ◽  
Tree Shelters ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
Southern New England

Abstract The use of tree shelters with naturally established red oak seedlings was studied in southern New England mixed-hardwood stands where deer browsing limited regeneration height growth. Seedlings of three size classes (basal diameters of 5 mm, 8 mm, and 15 mm) were cut off just above ground level during the dormant season to induce sprouting. Plastic tree shelters were placed over one group in each size class; another group was left without shelters but was protected from deer browsing by fencing. In the first growing season, seedling sprouts inside shelters in the two larger size classes had double the height growth (with some terminals growing out of the 150-cm tall shelters) but less diameter growth, compared to sprouts outside shelters. The height difference was maintained but not increased over the next 2 growing seasons. Height growth for sprouts from the smaller size class was not increased by shelters. The use of tree shelters with large diameter seedlings stunted by browsing may have potential for ensuring successful red oak regeneration without the costs of planting. North. J. Appl. For. 9(4):141-145.

The influence of species composition on the growth of individual red oaks in mixed stands in southern New England

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 1550-1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Kittredge Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
New England ◽  
Canopy Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Basal Area Increment ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Red Oaks ◽  
Oak Trees

Research in 40- to 60-year-old even-aged mixed hardwood stands in southern New England suggests a stratified canopy structure by species, with red oak crowns occupying the uppermost canopy stratum. The basal area growth of individual red oak trees with crowns in this uppermost canopy stratum is negatively related to the basal area of neighboring oaks with crowns in the same stratum. The total basal area of neighboring trees with crowns in this stratum has no effect on individual oak growth. Similarly, the basal area of trees in lower strata has no significant effect on the growth of oaks with crowns in the uppermost canopy stratum. Crown width of individual oaks is negatively related to the basal area of neighboring oaks with crowns in the uppermost canopy stratum. Also, both the total foliar biomass per tree and the efficiency of that foliage in producing basal area increment are negatively related to the quantity of surrounding oaks with crowns in the uppermost canopy stratum. These results imply that basal area increment of individual red oaks in the overstory depends on the species composition of the mixture (i.e., the proportion of red oaks in the mixture) and the resulting competition for growing space in the canopy.

Impact of Deer Browsing on Regeneration in Mixed Stands in Southern New England

1995 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Kittredge ◽  
P. Mark S. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Browsing preferences by white-tailed deer were evaluated for 6 tree species in northeastern Connecticut. Deer density averaged 23/mile². Deer exhibited no species-specific preferences for seedlings greater than 19 in. For seedlings less than 19 in., hemlock and black birch were preferred. Red maple, sugar maple, and white pine seedlings were avoided. Red oak seedlings were neither preferred nor avoided. A much higher proportion of seedlings greater than 19.7 in. in height was browsed, regardless of species. Browsing preferences for species in the smaller seedling class, combined with a lack of preference for species in the larger class may result in future stands with less diverse tree species composition. Deer densities in excess of 23/mile² may be incompatible with regeneration of diverse forests in southern New England. North. J. Appl. For. 12(3):115-120.

Precommercial Thinning Increases Diameter Growth of Appalachian Hardwood Stump Sprouts

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil I. Lamson
Keyword(s):  
Quercus Rubra ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Prunus Serotina ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Northern Red Oak ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Poplar ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Stump Sprouts

Abstract In West Virginia crop trees were selected from 7- or 12-year-old yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), basswood (Tilia americana L.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) stump sprouts. Crop trees were dominant or codominant, well-formed sprouts that originated not more than 6 inches above groundline and did not fork in the lower 17 feet. Four treatments were evaluated: (1) control; (2) thinning; (3) pruning; and (4) thinning plus pruning. Five years after treatment the diameter (d.b.h.) growth of thinned sprouts was 1.5 times greater than that of control sprouts. Pruning did not cause a significant decrease in five-year d.b.h. growth. Height growth was not affected by the treatments. Most of the epicormic branches produced by pruning were dead five years after treatment. Natural pruning was reduced by thinning; the average clear bole length of thinned sprouts was about 2 feet shorter than that of the control sprouts. Survival was nearly 100 percent.

scholarly journals Effects of Oak Decline on Species Composition in a Northern Arkansas Forest

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Heitzman
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Oak Decline ◽  
Northern Red Oak ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
White Oak

Abstract Since 1999, widespread and locally severe oak decline and mortality have occurred throughout the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. A contributing factor in the decline and mortality is an outbreak of the red oak borer [Enaphalodes rufulus (Haldeman) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)]. In northern Arkansas, a 2,150 ac mature oak forest severely affected by decline was selected as a case study to describe changes in species composition and stand structure and to assess regeneration potential of oaks and non-oak species. Mortality reduced total overstory basal area from 105 to 57 ft2/ac, and overstory density decreased from 156 to 89 trees/ac. Most dead and dying trees were northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and black oak (Q. velutina Lam.). Basal area and density of overstory red oaks were reduced from 51 to 11 ft2/ac and from 60 to 11 trees/ac, respectively. These trees died regardless of dbh class. Mortality was less common in white oak (Q. alba L.) and was generally limited to smaller trees. Understory trees and taller seedlings were predominantly red maple (Acer rubrum L.), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.), and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.). Oaks less than 3 ft tall were abundant, but taller oak seedlings and saplings were uncommon. Tree mortality increased the proportion of white oak and hickories (Carya spp.) in the overstory, and stimulated a regeneration response of mostly non-oak species. South. J. Appl. For. 27(4):264–268.

Early Dominance of Pioneer Hardwood After Clearcutting and Removal of Advanced Regeneration

1993 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Smith ◽  
P. Mark S. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Black Paper ◽  
Root Suckers

Abstract Clearcut openings were created in mixed stands of southern New England hardwoods, hemlock, and white pines to observe the development of new stands in which all species started simultaneously. All preexisting woody plants, except beech root-suckers and very small seedlings of red oak and hemlock, were eliminated. Natural seedfall was augmented by direct seeding of some species. The main result, after 2 decades, was replacement of the predominant hardwood species of the old stand by black, paper, and yellow birch. Pin cherry and gray birch were initially prominent, especially near the centers of openings, but had died or become moribund. Hemlocks and white pines from new seed persisted in the bottom strata. Except for the birches and black cherry, the hardwood species of the previous stand showed little or no capacity to develop from seed that germinated after clearcutting and removal of advanced growth. North. J. Appl. For. 10(1):14-19.

scholarly journals Changes in Forest Structure Associated with Oak Decline in Severely Impacted Areas of Northern Arkansas

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Heitzman ◽  
Adrian Grell ◽  
Martin Spetich ◽  
Dale Starkey
Keyword(s):  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
Oak Decline ◽  
Northern Red Oak ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Flowering Dogwood ◽  
Advance Regeneration

Abstract Four mature northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.)–white oak (Quercus alba L.) stands in the Boston Mountains of northern Arkansas were studied to describe the vegetation dynamics of forests heavily impacted by oak decline. Northern red oak was the species most susceptible to decline. Across the four stands, 51–75% of red oak density (trees/ha) was dead or dying, as was 40–70% of the red oak basal area. Red oak damage occurred across a range of tree sizes. Healthy red oak had low populations of red oak borer (Enaphalodes rufulus Haldeman), and dead/dying red oak supported large numbers of borers. Impacts on white oak were less severe and generally limited to smaller trees. Decline had changed what once were red oak-dominated stands to more mixed forests of white oak, hickory (Carya spp.), red oak, blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.). Understory trees and seedlings were predominantly blackgum, red maple, hickory, black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.), and sassafras (Sassafras albidum [Nutt.] Nees). However, well-developed red and white oak advance regeneration was present in all stands. It is unclear if the death of overstory trees will favor the regeneration of nonoaks, or whether oak regeneration will successfully recruit within canopy gaps created by this disturbance.

scholarly journals Herbicide Release of 3-Year-Old Loblolly Pine from Competing Hardwoods in Arkansas

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold E. Quicke ◽  
Glenn R. Glover ◽  
Dwight K. Lauer
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Area Response

Abstract Objectives were to identify effective late-summer and spring herbicide treatments for the release of 3-yr-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) from competing hardwoods and to quantify longer term pine growth response to varying levels of hardwood control. Effective late-summer treatments included imazapyr at 1.0 and 0.5 lb ae/ac, imazapyr at 0.5 lb ae/ac in combination with glyphosate at 1.125 lb ae/ac, and imazapyr at 0.25 lb ae/ac with surfactant. The best spring treatment was hexazinone at 2.0 lb ai/ac. Although spring imazapyr treatments stunted pine height growth 2 growing seasons after treatment, height growth had recovered by age 10. Late-summer imazapyr treatments provided better hardwood control than spring treatments. Although check plot hardwood basal area averaged 9 ft2/ac, and winged elm (a species known to be tolerant to imazapyr) was the predominant hardwood species at treatment, pine basal area response to treatment ranged from 6 to 27 ft2/ac at age 10. Pine response increased with imazapyr rate for late-summer treatments. Adding hexazinone to imazapyr did not improve hardwood control, and no benefits were observed from adding metsulfuron to either glyphosate or hexazinone. South. J. Appl. For. 20(3): 121-126.

Effects of winter injury on basal area and height growth of 30-year-old red spruce from 12 provenances growing in northern New Hampshire

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 1616-1622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald C. Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New England ◽  
New Hampshire ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Introgressive Hybridization ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Basal Area Increment ◽  
Repeated Injury

Basal-area increment and height growth of 30-year-old red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) from 12 rangewide provenances growing in a plantation in northern New Hampshire were measured for a 3-year period (1986 through 1988) in which severe and (or) frequent winter damage to needles occurred. Growth of uninjured trees and injured trees were compared. Basal-area increments were successively smaller for groups of trees arranged in increasing order of average needle damage as a portion of the upper crown and number of years that the trees were injured. A similar pattern was observed for height growth, but the effect of winter damage was not as great on height growth as on basal-area increment. Growth losses following winter injury, especially height growth, were much greater for trees in provenances classed as pure red spruce than for trees in provenances where introgressive hybridization with black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) has been demonstrated. For pure red spruce populations, repeated injury in 3 successive years or a sustained average of 30% or more needle damage resulted in losses in basal-area increment and height growth of up to 59 and 30%, respectively. Basal-area growth of the most severely injured trees in New England - New York provenances was 63% less than that of uninjured trees. These results support the contention of others that winter injury could be an initiating or perpetuating factor in red spruce decline.

Ice storms as a successional pathway forFagus grandifoliaadvancement inQuercus rubradominated forests of southern New England

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1628-1635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristofer R. Covey ◽  
Alex L. Barrett ◽  
Mark S. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Ice Storm ◽  
Storm Damage ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Downed Woody Debris

On 11 December 2008, a severe ice storm affected large portions of southern New England. We report the results of a study investigating differential damage among tree species. Past studies surveying ice-damaged forests have relied heavily on ocular estimations of canopy damage. We compare this method with damage estimates based on the cross-sectional area of downed woody material and quantitative comparisons of tree height and canopy projection in damaged and undamaged stands. Ocular estimates and changes in canopy height and projection were unreliable. Estimates based on the amount of woody debris provide a more robust measure of storm damage. We assess damage in two forest tracts with a dominant red oak (Quercus rubra L.) canopy (42% of total basal area) and an American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) dominated understory (50% of all stems > 1.3 m). Species’ standing basal area was well correlated with the amount of newly downed woody debris (r = 0.69, p < 0.001); accordingly, oak species constituted approximately 57% of all newly downed woody debris, and ANOVA showed that oak species were significantly more impacted by ice damage than other species present (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that canopy species provide an “umbrella effect”, shielding less dominant lower strata trees from the worst effects of ice load. Oak was also the largest contributor to older downed woody debris, indicative of a recurrent historical pattern of differential canopy disturbance driven by strata and relative dominance. These findings suggest that periodic ice events play an important role in facilitating the advancement of shade-tolerant tree species into the canopy from lower strata.

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