Establishment and Growth of Slash Pine on Grazed Cutover Range in Central Louisiana

Abstract

Abstract Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) was established by both planting and seeding on cutover range units prescribe-burned and grazed yearlong. Paired fenced and unfenced plots were used to compare survival and growth on both heavily and lightly grazed range with ungrazed plots. On planted sites, survival was significantly lower on heavily grazed than on ungrazed sites by May of the first growing season. No significant differences in survival were found between lightly grazed and ungrazed sites. In seeded stands, survival was not significantly different between grazed and ungrazed sites. Trees were thinned at an average age of 18 years Prethinning measurements indicated that plantations subjected to heavy grazing throughout their existence had fewer trees per acre, but had larger dbh than the ungrazed. Consequently, differences in volume were not significant, showing regulated yearlong grazing to be compatible with the establishment and early growth of slash pine.