Sprout Clumps Research Articles

Growth Response and Cost Comparisons for Precommercial Thinning Methods of Appalachian Oak Stump Sprout Clumps

Abstract Twelve-year-old stems of stump sprout origin were subjected to precommercial crop tree release treatments in an intermediate quality mixed Appalachian oak forest. Three chemicals (2,4-D, triclopyr, and kerosene) and two application methods (Hypo-hatchet® injection and stem spray) were compared with one another and with chainsaw felling in terms of crop and competitor growth response to thinning, productivity, and cost efficiency. After 5 yr, 2,4-D stem spray, triclopyr stem spray, and chainsaw treatments produced incremental diameter growth 28, 25, and 22% greater than unthinned controls, respectively. Triclopyr stem spray and chainsaw treatments were also most effective in controlling competitors. Stem spray and injection required 40 and 58% less time, respectively, and cost less than chainsaw felling. These results suggest that stem spray application of herbicides can be a cost effective alternative to chainsaw thinning for precommercial crop stem release of oak stump sprouts. South. J. Appl. For. 22(1):19-23.

Long-term species and structural changes after cleaning young even-aged northern hardwoods in New Hampshire, USA

The effects of four cleaning practices (including a control) on species composition and structural characteristics were studied over a 31-year period following treatment of an even-aged 25-year-old northern-hardwood stand that originated after complete clearcutting in 1933–1935. The treatments consisted of: a heavy and a light crop tree cleaning; a drastic species-cleaning treatment that removed nearly all pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.f.), aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx. and grandidentata Michx.), striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum L.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) sprout clumps followed by a crop-tree cleaning; and an uncut control. There were no significant differences among treatments in species and structural characteristics in the 56-year-old stand at the end of the study period, except for the presence of a moderate aspen component in the light cleaning and the control. Although previous research shows that cleaning treatments in young northern hardwoods may have silvicultural and economic benefits, the impact of such treatments on long-term stand development is relatively minor.

Development of water oak stump sprouts under a partial overstory

A 28-year-old water oak (Quercus nigra L.) plantation was thinned from below to either 254 or 462 stems per hectare to determine the influence of a partial canopy on oak stump sprout development. Sprout clump survival, number of living sprouts in a clump, and height and DBH of the dominant sprout in a clump were measured in years 1–5 and 7 after harvest. By year 7, sprout clump survival under the heavily thinned canopy was 23% higher than under the lightly thinned canopy. Within-clump sprout mortality was not influenced by overstory thinning level, but by year 2 height and diameter increment were 15% and 22% greater, respectively, under the heavy overstory removal. Positive height and diameter growth of dominant sprouts continued under both canopy conditions through year 7, but early benefits of the heavy overstory removal on sprout growth diminished. Additional overstory removal or sprout clump thinning would be necessary to sustain sprout clump survival and sprout growth over extended periods.

Influence of crown class on survival and development of Betulalenta in Connecticut, U.S.A.

Crown class, diameter, and sprout rank of 2219 black birch (Betulalenta L.) >1.5 cm have been monitored at 10-year intervals since 1927. Survival and development of black birch in 25- to 85-year-old stands was influenced by antecedent crown class, sprout rank, and disturbance. Mortality was typically higher for trees in the lower than upper crown classes. Black birch demonstrated high flux among crown classes. Persistence in the upper canopy was 70 years for dominant trees and only 20 years for codominant trees. Trees in lower crown classes generally ascended into higher crown classes at a faster rate than did trees in higher crown classes. Survival in stands from ages 25 through 55 years was higher for the largest stem in a sprout clump than for lesser sprouts and trees that had never been part of a sprout clump. Survival was independent of diameter class when crown-class effects were removed. Immediate response of black birch to a period of upper canopy disturbance caused by drought and severe defoliation included temporary decreases of crown-class regression and mortality rates, and a concomitant temporary increase of crown-class persistence rates. Crown-class ascension rates increased after a 10-year lag for codominant and intermediate trees, and a 20-year lag for suppressed trees. Black birch ingrowth also responded positively to upper canopy disturbance. The increased use of partial cutting, i.e., anthropogenic upper canopy disturbance, in the northeastern United States is creating conditions advantageous for black birch development.

Effects of Cutting Time, Stump Height, Parent Tree Characteristics, and Harvest Variables on Development of Bigleaf Maple Sprout Clumps

Abstract In order to determine the effects of stump height, year of cutting, parent-tree size, logging damage, and deer browsing on bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) sprout clump development, maple trees were cut to two stump heights at three different times. Stump height had the greatest impact on sprout clump size. Two years after clearcutting, the sprout clump volume for short stumps was significantly less than that for tall stumps. The sprout clump volume, area, and number of sprouts were significantly less for trees cut 1 and 2 yr before harvest than for trees cut at harvest. Sprout clump size was positively correlated with parent tree stem diameter and stump volume, and negatively correlated with the percentage of bark removed during logging. Browsing had no significant impact on average clump size. Uncut trees produced sprout clumps at their base and epicormic branches along the length of their stems; thus their crown volume averaged four to five times that of cut trees. Cutting maple in clearcuts to low stumps may reduce maple competition with Douglas-fir regeneration and still maintain maple in the next stand. West. J. Appl. For. 11(4):120-124.

Marked Point Process: Using Correlation Functions to Explore a Spatial Data Set

AbstractThe relationship between the locations of the clumps of sprouts, some morphological characteristics of the clumps and the local soil environment in an old sweet chestnut coppice are studied. The theory of marked point process, which has not yet been used extensively in forestry studies, is shown to be adequate for the analysis of this type of spatial data. The marks correspond to morphological characteristics of the clumps: “diameter”, “number of sprouts”, “height at one year”, and “height at three years”. Several covariance functions are described which give a method for exploring the spatial relationships within the stand. Some of these functions are introduced for the first time in an actual statistical analysis.By using these functions, it is shown that the clumps are regularly distributed. The variables “diameter” and “number of sprouts” are strongly spatially negatively correlated, whereas the heights are slightly or not correlated. By categorising the individuals according to the mark values, it is shown that the small clumps tended to be aggregated in the gaps between medium and large clumps. Values of heights in the ties of the distribution are related as well as their spatial correlation to the local soil environment.

Effects of Bigleaf Maple Sprout Clumps on Diameter and Height Growth of Douglas-Fir

Abstract Diameter and height growth of 7- to 11-yr-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were examined in relation to bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) competition. Growth models were developed for plantations in Oregon and Washington by joining a distance-dependent model with a model that excluded competition effects. The fitted equations were based on Douglas-fir size at plantation age 7 yr and distance from the stump and crown diameter of the bigleaf maple clump. The models suggest that bigleaf maple clumps between 5.7-14.6 m from planted Douglas-firs decrease the latter's dbh and height growth, and that this decrease becomes greater with increasing size of the clump. A procedure is suggested to use the models to guide vegetation management prescriptions on sites with bigleaf maple sprout clumps. West. J. Appl. For. 10(1):5-11.

Competitive Relations Between Douglas-Fir and Pacific Madrone on Shallow Soils in a Mediterranean Climate

Abstract A large area of Pacific Coast forests is characterized by shallow soil, with negligible rainfall in the growing season. This study explores water-seeking strategy on such a site. We studied availability of bedrock water and its effects on growth and ecophysiology of 11-yr-old planted Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) and sprouting Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii Pursh). The study was carried out at three regulated densities of madrone sprouts on shallow (<50 cm) residual soils in southwest Oregon. Total bedrock water depleted from March to September, as observed in drill holes by neutron probe, did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among three densities of madrone. However, cover in plots with the highest density of madrone (1322 sprout clumps/ha) depleted 50 mm of water from the 1.5 m layer by June, whereas vegetation on lower density treatments withdrew 15-28 mm by June, with later withdrawal distributed more uniformly through the growing season. Madrone density significantly affected basal diameter (P ≤ 0.0001) and height growth (P ≤ 0.002) of Douglas-fir. Madrone was consistently taller than Douglas-fir in all plots. The height of 11-yr-old madrone sprout clumps (424-465 cm) did not differ significantly among densities. Madrone leaf area index and biomass were higher at the high density of madrone than at medium density (P ≤ 0.045, LAI; P ≤ 0.001, biomass). Physiological advantages and rooting habits of madrone give it a competitive advantage over Douglas-fir in this area that it might not have if bedrock did not provide the principal water reservoir for summer growth. For. Sci. 41(4):744-757.

Growth Responses of Tanoak Sprout Clumps to Thinning

Abstract At two sites in southwestern Oregon, stands of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) were thinned in the second year after sprouting (1983) to create relative covers of 25, 50, or 100% of that for unthinned stands. At one site, relative covers were replicated with and without suppression of understory vegetation. Height, crown width and dominant-stem diameter were measured annually on each of 135 sprout clumps of tanoak from 1983-1988. Reductions in relative cover caused a proportionate increase in mean relative growth rate (RGR) of tanoak; however, the effect of understory suppression was not consistent. Increases in RGR of individual clumps from thinning were considerably greater for crown width (73% and 43% for large and small clumps, respectively) than for height (28% and 22%). Predicted crown width of tanoak 6 yr after thinning and understory suppression was up to 46% greater than that of clumps in untreated stands. West. J. Appl. For. 9(4):101-105.

Controlling Sprout Clumps of Bigleaf Maple with Herbicides and Manual Cutting

Abstract Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) clumps were controlled using the herbicides glyphosate, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, triclopyr amine, triclopyr ester, and 2,4-DP + 2,4-D; by basal spray, thinline, foliage spray, and on cut surfaces; during early foliar, late foliar, and dormant periods on five sites across western Oregon and Washington. Three timings of manual cutting alone also were compared. Imazapyr foliage sprays, triclopyr ester thinline, dormant 3% triclopyr ester basal spray, late-foliar 2, 4-DP + 2,4-D basal spray, and manual cutting with triclopyr amine cut-surface application provided the best control among the treatments tested over the 3 yr of study. Imazapyr foliage sprays provided the best long-term control by killing most treated clumps. Triclopyr ester thinline treatments provided the most consistent and effective results among the basal applications. Stump applications of triclopyr amine were more effective than manual cutting alone or manual cutting with glyphosate cut-surface application. West. J. Appl. For. 9(4):118-124.

Crown Class Transition Rates of Maturing Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra L.)

Abstract Crown classes and diameters of 704 northern red oaks on medium quality sites were measured at 10-yr intervals between 1927-1987. Nominal age of northern red oaks at the beginning of the study was 25 yr. Mortality rates between ages 25-55 and between ages 55-85 decreased with each increase in crown class (i.e., mortality of dominant is < codominant is < intermediate is < suppressed). Ascension rates into higher crown classes increased with each increase in crown class between ages 25-55 and between ages 55-85. Mortality rates of dominant, codominant, and intermediate trees were higher between ages 55-85 than between ages 25-55. The cause of the increased mortality was likely periodic episodes of defoliation which began after age 55. Within several diameter classes at age 25, survival through age 55 and the proportion found in upper canopy at age 55 increased with crown class. Mortality rates between ages 25-55 were lower for the largest northern red oak in a sprout clump than for lesser sprouts and for those trees which were not part of a sprout clump. There was no significant difference in canopy position transition rates between ages 55-85 for the largest red oaks in a sprout clump and those trees which were not part of a sprout clump. However, mortality rates between ages 55-85 of lesser trees in a sprout clump were significantly higher than for either the largest sprout in a clump or for those trees which were not part of a sprout clump. Survival of suppressed and intermediate 25-yr-old red oak was negatively related to the number of oaks in dominant and codominant crown classes. Crown class can be a powerful tool for determining the future status of maturing northern red oaks in southern New England. For. Sci. 40(2): 221-237.

Profitability of Precommercially Thinning Oak Stump Sprouts

Abstract Thinning oak stump sprouts to a single stem at an early age will increase diameter growth of the released stem. However, precommercial thinning represents a substantial investment which must be carried for many years before any returns are realized. We estimated the incremental gains in yield and the present net worth for five crop-tree release treatments of 5-yr-old coppice sprouts in the southeastern Missouri Ozarks and compared them to the results from unthinned control plots. The treatments involved thinning 100, 150, 200, 250, and all clumps of sprouts on the plots to a single stem. All thinning treatments increased diameter growth and yield compared to the control, but at a 5% rate of return, the control treatment produced the largest present net worth. We have concluded that based on the growth response and timber price situations within the Ozark Region, precommercial thinning of oak stump sprouts is not an economical management practice. North. J. Appl. For. 10(4):179-183.

Predicting Crown Sizes and Diameter Distributions of Tanoak, Pacific Madrone, and Giant Chinkapin Sprout Clumps

Abstract Crown size and stem diameters were measured on a total of 908 sprout clumps of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus), Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii), and giant chinkapin (Castanopsis chrysophylla). The clumps, age 1 to 16 years, were located at 23 sites in southwestern Oregon and 20 sites in northwestern California. Regression equations were developed for predicting individual-clump crown size and stem-diameter distributions of dominant sprouts from the total basal area (dm² at 1.37 m) in stems of the parent tree (PBA) and number of growing seasons since burning (AGE). Variables of PBA, AGE, and species in combination accounted for over 75% of the total variation in hardwood crown width and height and for 62% of the variation in sprout number. Variables describing site characteristics and competing vegetation abundance did not explain more than 2% of additional variation in hardwood crown size or sprout diameter distribution. On the basis of the Kolmogorov-Smirnoff test (α = 0.05), the Weibull function adequately described the reverse J-shaped distribution of stem diameters for individual sprout clumps. The goodness of fit for each of the predictive models for tanoak and madrone was verified with independent data. West. J. Appl. For. 7(4):103-108.

Predicting average growth and size distributions of Douglas-fir saplings competing with sprout clumps of tanoak or Pacific madrone

The average growth and size distributions of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) saplings in three plantations were studied for 7 years (1983–1989) after thinning of associated sprout clumps of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) or Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii); in some cases understory vegetation (shrubs and herbs) was experimentally suppressed. Biologically based nonlinear equations explained 66, 90, and 53% of the variation in the average annual increment of Douglas-fir height, diameter-squared, and cover, respectively. Equations for annual increment of cover of hardwood and understory vegetation explained only 10 to 12% of the variation, because these parameters exhibited a high degree of variability. Model simulations demonstrated that, for the same initial levels of cover, tanoak had faster rates of cover growth than madrone and also caused greater limitations in growth of Douglas-fir. Suppression of understory vegetation increased growth of Douglas-fir only when hardwood cover was absent. Weibull functions adequately described size distributions for Douglas-fir in 92% of the individual-tree data sets. Regression functions of hardwood cover and average Douglas-fir size explained 51, 93, and 24% of the variation in the Weibull A, B, and C parameters, respectively. Model simulations with predicted Weibull parameters demonstrated that hardwood competition caused a positive skewing in size distributions for height and stem diameter of Douglas-fir.

Improved Chestnut Tree Condition Maintained in Two Connecticut Plots after Treatments with Hypovirulent Strains of the Chestnut Blight Fungus

Abstract In two forest plots, competing trees were killed or cut around stump sprouts of American chestnut trees. Chestnut blight cankers were treated with hypovirulent (dsRNA-containing) strains at least once a year for 4 years to control the blight disease. Nine years after the first treatment, abnormal cankers were found as far as 75 and 55 meters from the edges of the treatment areas, and strains isolated from these cankers contained dsRNA molecules. The dsRNA was found in strains with vegetative compatibility types different from those of the treatment strains, indicating that dsRNA had spread to other strains and had been maintained in the pathogen population. Trees in areas with abnormal cankers had more live stems per sprout clump and more cankers per live stem than trees in a comparison area with a similar harvest history, and more than trees in an undisturbed forest area. For. Sci. 36(1):113-124.

Relationship of Pacific Madrone Sprout Growth to Productivity of Douglas-Fir Seedlings and Understory Vegetation

Abstract We studied the development of Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) sprout clumps of various initial densities and their effect on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedling growth and understory vegetation. Five years after density treatments, average leaf area index (LAI) of 9-year-oldmadrone sprouts ranged from 3.6-1.0 m²/m² and total aboveground biomass from 25,630-8,390 kg/ha on the high- and low-density plots, respectively. Diameter of 9-year-old Douglas-fir was inversely related to madrone LAI and ranged from about 27 mm on the high-density plots to 54 mmin the absence of madrone. Analyses of diameter growth trends also indicated that, in the absence of madrone, Douglas-fir grew significantly (P = 0.001 to 0.023) faster than in other treatments. An index of shrub, forb, and grass density was inversely related to madrone LAI, suggesting thatunderstory species are quickly excluded from young madrone stands during secondary succession. We provide equations relating the 5-year growth of 9-year-old Douglas-fir to measures of madrone density and seedling size made when the plantation was 5 years old. West. J. Appl. For. 5(1):20-24.

Precommercial Thinning and Pruning of Appalachian Stump Sprouts—10-Year Results

Abstract In northern West Virginia, 7-year-old American basswood (Tilia americana L.) and 12-year-old red maple (Acer rubrum L.), black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) stump sprout clumps received one of four treatments: unthinned control; thinned to the best one or two codominant sprouts per clump; branch pruned up to 75% of total height; or thinned plus pruned. Analysis of 10-year growth data showed that height growth was not affected by any of the treatments. For all species, pruning slightly increased the length of clear stem and decreased periodic diameter growth. Thinning increased survival of basswood, red oak, and red maple crop stems. Thinning increased the 10-year diameter growth by 0.1 to 0.8 in. Recommendations for thinning 10- to 20-year-old sprout clumps are presented. Pruning is not recommended. In order to maintain maximum diameter growth, thinning individual sprout clumps should be followed by stand crop tree release in about 10 years. South. J. Appl. For. 12(1):23-27.

Predicting Growth and "Success" of Coppice-Regenerated Oak Stems

Abstract Logistic regression models were derived from data collected in the Missouri Ozarks to estimate the probabilities that 5-year-old stems of red oaks and white oaks in thinned and unthinned sprout clumps would attain a specified dbh at ages 12 and 30. In deriving each model, several success criteria based on selected future dbh were specified. A stem was considered "successful" for a particular criterion if it attained that dbh or larger, but considered a "failure" if it did not achieve that criterion because of either slow growth or mortality. Consequently, each model accounted for both growth and mortality probabilistically. Growth of survivors was also estimated using linear regression models. These models were developed for two species groups using data for stems that were alive at both the beginning (age 5) and end of a measurement period (ages 12 and 30). The logistic models indicated that height at age 5 was a significant predictor of competitive success of stems in subsequent years in stands with either thinned or unthinned clumps. Diameter of the parent stump was also significantly correlated with success, but only in stands where clumps were thinned. Results indicate that under the conditions of this study, which was conducted on a single site, stems with high success probabilities could be identified early in the life of this coppice-regenerated stand, and that early clump thinning in this stand increased success probabilities and diameter growth. For. Sci. 33(3):740-749.

Root sprouting in American beech: production, survival, and the effect of parent tree vigor

Root sprout age-class distributions around American beech trees were measured to characterize production of sprouts under closed canopies. Annual mortality of root sprouts was estimated by static and cohort life table analyses. Sprouts around parent trees with and without beech bark disease were compared to test for effects of lowered parent vigor on sprout production and vigor. Age-class distributions were highly variable, indicating episodic production of sprouts. Trends in the data suggested that (i) for individual parent beech trees, the number of sprouts per age-class decreased exponentially as sprout age increased; and (ii) parent trees with larger diameters had more sprouts, more sprout age-classes, but greater variability in age-class distribution. Life table analyses indicated uniform per capita mortality rates for clumps of sprouts but decreasing mortality with age for individual sprouts within clumps. Low parent vigor, due in part to beech bark disease, was weakly correlated with reduced sprout production, but diseased trees maintained populations of older sprouts that differed little from sprouts associated with nondiseased trees.

Stem Treatments to Control Tanoak Sprouting

Abstract Applying 2,4-D, triclopyr, and picloram + 2,4-D to cut surfaces of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) on southwest Oregon sites in November or February increased mortality and reduced total sprout length and clump area relative to May or August applications. Injecting the same herbicides into stem frills caused 80 to 99% mean crown dieback for November, February, and May applications, but only 47% for August applications. Spraying triclopyr diluted with diesel oil to 1 5 or 3.0% on stem bases caused 64% mean crown dieback for August applications but only 28% averaged over the other three dates. Both frill and spray treatments reduced by about 1.5 to 3.0 times the sprout length and clump area of trees felled within 3 months of treatments, compared to untreated trees. Tanoak can be effectively controlled by treating cut surfaces when felling, and by stem injection or basal spray 3 months before harvesting or slashing for site preparation. Cut-surface application or injection from fall through early spring is likely to be most effective. West. J. Appl. For. 2(2):41-45, April 1987.