Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Impacts of mechanical tree felling on development of water tupelo regeneration in the Mobile Delta, Alabama

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Two water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.) stands in the Mobile Delta of Alabama were selected to test the hypothesis that mechanized felling does not reduce establishment and growth of natural water tupelo regeneration relative to traditional tree felling with chainsaws. To test the hypothesis, we established six 2 acre treatment plots in each of two blocks on each of two sites, and randomly assigned plots to either mechanical tree felling with a tracked, swing feller or chainsaw felling. Each site was clearcut in fall 1992, and merchantable boles were removed by helicopter. Establishment and growth of regeneration was assessed prior to harvest and annually for 3 yr after harvest in five 0.01 acre measurement plots located in each treatment plot. Stand harvesting promoted establishment of water tupelo seedlings such that 3 yr after treatment we recorded over 270/acre on each site regardless of felling method. Seedling height increased at a steady rate and averaged about 39 inches tall after three growing seasons. Woody competition also responded to the harvest, outnumbering water tupelo seedlings 3 yr after treatment by as much as seven to one on 2. Water tupelo stump sprouts developing from chainsaw felling grew well and averaged about 13.5 ft tall after three growing seasons. However, mechanical felling reduced water tupelo stump sprouting by 50 percent, leading to a lower density of sprout clumps in mechanically felled plots (P = 0.0253). Our results indicated that mechanical felling techniques used in this study may adversely impact regeneration of water tupelo swamps where coppice is a desirable form of reproduction.

Citation

Gardiner, Emile S.; Russell, D. Ramsey, Jr.; Hodges, John D.; Fristoe, T. Conner. 2000. Impacts of mechanical tree felling on development of water tupelo regeneration in the Mobile Delta, Alabama. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 24(2): 65-69.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/1609