Stocking levels and underlying assumptions for uneven-aged ponderosa pine stands /

Abstract

Potential Problems With Q-Values Many ponderosa pine stands have a limited number of size classes, and it may be desirable to carry very large trees through several cutting cycles. Large numbers of trees below commercial size are not needed to provide adequate numbers of future replacement trees. Under these conditions, application of stand density index (SDI) can have advantages over the use of Q-values in defining stocking levels. Calculation of SDI for uneven-aged stands must be done by summing values for individual trees or diameter classes. An example using SDI to derive stocking levels after partial cutting is presented.