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Impact of pruning intensity on growth of young loblolly pine trees: some early results

Informally Refereed

Abstract

In the spring of 2000, a designed experiment was established to study the effects of pruning intensity on the growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees. Trees were planted at a 1.83 by 1.83 m square spacing in plots of eight rows with eight trees per row; the inner 36 trees constituted the measurement plot. Four blocks containing five treatment plots were established at each of two locations in the Virginia Piedmont. The five treatment plots included an unpruned control, and pruning treatments where 1/4 of the live crown was removed on all the trees, 1/2 of the live crown was removed on all the trees, 1/4 of the live crown was removed on 1/2 of the trees, and 1/2 of the live crown was removed on 1/2 the trees. Measurements at the time of treatment and one year after treatment for each tree included d.b.h., total height, height to base of live crown, crown width within and between the row. Results are presented that show the initial impact of pruning on tree growth. Additional measurements gathered over the life of the study will provide a more complete understanding of the effects of pruning on development of loblolly pine trees.

Parent Publication

Citation

Amateis, Ralph L.; Burkhart, Harold E. 2010. Impact of pruning intensity on growth of young loblolly pine trees: some early results. In: Stanturf, John A., ed. 2010. Proceedings of the 14th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–121. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 51-54.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/35384