STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OLD-GROWTH, MATURING, AND PARTIALLY CUT NORTHERN HARDWOOD FORESTS

Abstract

Live tree diameter distributions, and abundance and quality of standing and downed coarse woody debris (CWD), were compared among three northern hardwood stand types in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, USA: old growth; partially cut, uneven-aged with 40–50 cm maximum residual diameters; and maturing, even-aged, 90–100 yr old, postfire. Downed CWD (stumps ≤1 m tall and logs) volumes in the old-growth, partially cut, and maturing stands were 139, 69, and 61 m3/ha, respectively. Large (≥50 cm diameter) CWD comprised 17%, 13%, and 4% of the total downed CWD volume in the old-growth, partially cut, and maturing stands respectively. Approximately one-half the large CWD in the partially cut stands was in the form of cut stumps. Standing CWD (stumps >1 m tall and standing dead trees) basal areas averaged 8.6, 1.2, and 4.1 m2/ha in the old-growth, partially cut, and maturing stands, respectively. Basal area of large (≥50 cm diameter) standing CWD averaged 70%, 0%, and 5% of the total in the old-growth, partia...