Southern Appalachian White Pine Plantations Site, volume, and yield

Abstract

In the early 1930's several publications focused attention on the desirable characteristics of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L. ) growing in the Southern Appalachians. In 1932 Copea reported on the excellent growth of natural and planted stands and their relative freedom from blister rust and white pine weevil. After an extensive survey he concluded: "In North Carolina, Tennessee, and north Georgia, where white pine has shown such excellent growth rates, the amount of ribes (R. cynosbati) present in the altitudinal zones in which white pine thrives isso small that eradication costs will be almost negligible." The following year Barretty published a chart comparing the diameter growth of white pine and its associates. At all ages from 20 to 120 years the growth of white pine was more rapid than that of the other species, the nearest competitor being yellow-poplar. In the same year Kimberlyd published results of a study of white pine growth rates in New England and the Southern Appalachians. He found that both diameter and height growth were more rapid in the South.

With these favorable reports in the literature, and with the Biltmore plantations in North Carolina as living proof that planted white pine could succeed in the region, it is not surprising that white pine became a major species for the Civilian Conservation Corps reforestation program. Today white pine remains the preferred species for planting; from 1952 through 1960 about 20 million seedlings were planted in the 15 western counties of North Carolina.

Citation

Vimmerstedt, John P. 1962. Southern Appalachian White Pine Plantations Site, volume, and yield. USDA Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Old Station Paper SE-149