Southern Research Station

Title: A Comparison of Oak Regeneration Conditions Following Midstory Injection and Partial Overstory Removal in a Tombigbee River Terrace

Author: Peairs, Stephen E.; Ezell, Andrew W.; Belli, Keith L.; Hodges, John D.

Date: 2004

Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–71. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 499-501

Description: Bottomland hardwood stands comprised of a large oak component can be regenerated through natural oak regeneration. To maximize oak regeneration potential, the stand manager must practice silvicultural techniques that allow for necessary sunlight penetration to reach the forest floor. Control of stems occupying the midstory/understory and partial overstory removal are steps that may be required to ensure adequate stocking levels of natural regeneration. While the need for midstory/understory control has been documented, questions often arise regarding the level of intensity of overstory removal. Natural regeneration responses of oak species were observed 1 year after a midstory/understory injection treatment and partial overstory removal. Treatments were conducted on a bottomland hardwood stand near Bellamy, AL. The study area consisted of four 12-acre blocks with three 4-acre treatment units located in each block. The study design was a randomized complete block. Injection treatments using imazapyr were applied during late fall of 2001. There was no negative impact from the injection observed on non-target stems, and seedling establishment generally increased. Partial overstory removal treatments were completed with operational harvests, leaving residual stand basal areas of 30, 50, and 70 square feet. Seedling survival was observed from data collected from 108 0.01-acre sample plots. Results indicate that seedling survival was impacted by harvest. Damage occurring from logging operations was also evaluated on all residual trees.

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Citation

Peairs, Stephen E.; Ezell, Andrew W.; Belli, Keith L.; Hodges, John D.  2004.  A Comparison of Oak Regeneration Conditions Following Midstory Injection and Partial Overstory Removal in a Tombigbee River Terrace.   Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–71. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 499-501