Modeling the impact of thinning on height development of dominant and codominant loblolly pine trees

Abstract

Data collected from loblolly pine thinning study plots established in plantations on cutover, site-prepared lands were used to evaluate thinning impact on height growth of dominant and codominant loblolly pine trees. Height growth was reduced initially by thinning but was increased after 3 years following thinning. The average total height of dominant and codominant trees in thinned stands exceeded its counterpart in unthinned stands 12 years after thinning. Initial growth response to thinning was less at older stand ages than at younger ages. A model was constructed to characterize the development of height in thinned and unthinned stands. This model reflects the initial suppression of dominant and codominant height growth followed by an acceleration as a result of thinning.