Abstract
Nonindustrial private owners control over 80 percent of the 50 million acres of oak-dominated forest in the northern United States. Although non-commodity amenities are more important than timber production for many of these owners, the expense of forest ownership may make them amenable to forest management practices that provide income while retaining the desired non-commodity amenities. The effects of distinct cutting methods on stand growth and dynamics were examined in a study established in 1981 to 1984 in three southern New England forests. Cutting methods were: shelterwood, diameter limit, coppice with standards, commercial clearcut, silvicultural clearcut, and an unmanaged control. The cutting method plots (4 to 7 acres) were on medium quality sites (SI = 65). Permanent 10-factor prism plots were established before initial treatment, were remeasured in 1998-99, and again in 2001 following the second cutting cycle.
Parent Publication
Citation
Ward, Jeffery S.; Stephens, George R. 2003. Sawtimber oak stand response to six distinct cutting methods. In: Van Sambeek, J. W.; Dawson, Jeffery O.; Ponder Jr., Felix; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings of the 13th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 303-305
