‘Table B10.—Softwood and hardwood tree density of sapling-sized timberland by ownership and diameter class, Louisiana, 1991*

Ownership
class nt

All
S.E.* _ soft®

SEF

All
hard*

Diameter class (Inches)

1.0-1.9

2.0-2.9

3.0-3.9

Soft®

Hard"

Soft’

Hard"

Soft*

Hard’

National forest 19

0.2751 899.0

0.3569

263.4

369.1

143.3

255.9 79.7 148.2 9.2 841 15.1 4.7
Other public 4 0.4042 1,098.3 0.1347 836.4 191.4 549.5 370.6 205.9 2622 67.2 163.8 0.0 1103 1
Forest industry 126 0.0809 649.5 0.1001 438.1 251.0 309.0 175.1 83.7 106.6 24.6 72.0 103 449° 1
Nonindustrial
private 141 0.1131 _405.2__(0.0763__593.6 170.9 372.8 106.7 118.9 622 50.1 34.0 20.9 3143
All owners** 290 0.0654 545.3 0.0602 513.3. 215.6 336.6 1474 102.8 88.5 37.2 549 15.6 3892
S.E+ 0.0654 0.0602 0.0910 0.0684 0.0903 0.0816 0.0993 0.1263 0.1125 0.1570 0.0773 0.08
‘Numbers in rows may not, total due to rounding.
‘Number of sample plots in rows.
+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column averages and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).
*Softwood species.
‘Hardwood species.
** Average trees per acre for all plots.
Table BLL.— Softwood and hardwood tree density of sapling-sized timberland by forest type and diameter class, Louisiana, 1991*
Diameter class (Inches)
Forest Al Al 1.0-1.9 2.0-2.9 3.0-3.9 4.0-4.9 25.0
type nt SE+ __ softt S.E+ hard! Soft! Hard’ Soft’ Hard" Soft! Hardt Soft! Hard* Soft! Ha
Longleaf-slash 24 0.1525 517.5 0.4652-««158.8 185.0 110.2 02 © 31.9 779 88 87.3 43 572
Loblolly-
shortleaf 146 0.0651 861.7 0.0924 344.6 336.8 245.0 246.1 «678 463 148 84.8 8.2 416
Oak-pine 63 0.1093 252.5 0.0909 737.9 1104 4776 46.1 1378 36.9 © 62.4 211 30.3 38.0 02
Oak-hickory 570.3975 96.50.0949 827.2 44.2 500.6 29.5 179.5 68 76.4 48 228 12 4
Alltypes** 290 0.0654 545.3 0.0602 513.3 215.6 336.6 1474 102.8 88.5 37.2 549 (15.6 38.9 2
SE* 0.0654 0.0602 0.0910 0.0684 0.0903 0.0816 0.0993 0.1263, 0.1125 0.1570 0.0773 0.08

“Numbers in rows may not total due to rounding.
‘Number of sample plots in rows.
*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column averages and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000)

5Softwood species.
‘Hardwood species.

** Average trees per acre for all plots.


Table A4.—Area of seedling-sized timberland by forest survey unit and softwood stocking class, Louisiana, 1991*
Softwood stocking class (Percent)

Forest survey Al
unit nt S.Et classes <30 30-59 60-89 90-119 2120

North Delta 2 0.5599 18.2 18.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
South Delta 0 0.0000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Southwest 95 0.1016 532.4 192.0 162.2 127.3 39.3 11.7
Southeast 33 0.1701 194.7 104.0 48.3 29.0 13.4 0.0
Northwest 90 0.1036 512.7 297.0 130.8 73.7 47 6.5
All units 220 0.0643 1,258.1 611.2 341.3 230.0 574 18.3
S.E.t 0.0643 0.0946 0.1278 0.1563 0.3149 0.5587
nt 220 106 61 40 10 3

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.
*Number of sample plots in columns and rows.
*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).

‘Table A5,—Area of seedling-sized timberland by ownership class and softwood stocking class, Louisiana, 1991*
Softwood stocking class (Percent)

Ownership All
class nt SE+ classes <30 30-59 60-89 90-119 2120
--- Thousand acres ~~

National forest 130.3300 52.3 20.2 23.7 37 47 0.0
Other public 3 (0.5456 19.2 63 12.9 0.0 0.0 0.0
Forest industry 78 0.1105 453.1 187.1 148.7 82.2 29.6 5.5
Nonindustrial

private 126 (0.0859 738.5 397.7 155.9 144.1 23.1 12.8

All owners 220 © 0.06431, 258.1 611.2 341.3 230.0 57.4 18.3

S.E+ 0.0643 ©=—-0.0946 (0.1278 (0.1563 0.3149 (0.5587

nt 220 106 61 40 10 3

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

*Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

‘Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).

Table A6.—Area of seedling-sized timberland by stand origin and softwood stocking class, Louisiana, 1991*
Softwood stocking class (Percent)

Stand All
origin nt S.Et classes <30 30-59 60-89 90-119 2120
Natural 139 0.0823 796.6 521.7 1578 92.8 12.3 12.1
Plantation 81 0.1094 461.5 89.5 183.5 137.2 45.1 6.2
All origins 220 0.0643 1,258.1 611.2 341.3 230.0 57.4 18.3
S.E+ 0.0643 0.0946 0.1278 0.1563. 0.3149 0.5587
nt 220 106 61 40 10 3

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

*Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

#Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).

il


Rosson, James F., Jr. 1994. The status of precommercial-sized softwoods
in Louisiana, 1991. Res. Pap. SO-278. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment
Station. 20 p.

Data on precommercial-sized softwoods in seedling- and sapling-sized
stands are presented and discussed. Inadequate levels of softwood
stocking on NIPF lands could diminish long-term supplies of soft-
wood in the State.

Keywords: Density, forest inventory, NIPF lands, pines, sapling-
seedling, stocking.



Table I.—Current stocking standard for the South by tree size
Stocking standard

Diameter class

Inches ‘Trees per acre
<l 600
2 560
4 460
6 340
8 240
10 155
12 115
14 90
16 72
18 60
20 51
22 42
24 36
26 31
28 27
230 24

the aggregation of individual tree stocking) to the spec-
ified density given in table I. Thus, each tree tallied
contributed a relative stocking percentage to the total
plot stocking level based on its size and density rela-
tionship to the stocking standard in table I. Because of
the theoretical maximum stocking level of 16 percent at
each satellite point, only the four most dominant sap-
lings (or seedlings) were tallied at each point to obtain
maximum stocking when plot circumstances called for
sampling saplings on points 4 through 10 or seedlings
on points 1 through 10. Therefore, no absolute seedling
densities were available from the survey sample. Abso-
lute sapling densities were available because all trees
21.0 but <5.0 inches in d.b.h. were tallied on points 1, 2,
and 3.

It is important to be aware of the unavoidable subjec-
tiveness in assigning stocking level designations such
as understocked and overstocked. Management objec-
tives vary tremendously. Additionally, initial and
interim stocking levels will differ accordingly as stands
develop. Some authorities consider 150 trees per acre
(t.p.a.) adequate softwood sapling stocking, while oth-
ers might consider 600 t.p.a. inadequate. Because
stocking levels ranged from 0 to 160 percent, an arbi-
trary decision was made on stocking level classifica-
tions considered understocked and overstocked.

The stocking standard in table I (developed in the
1950’s by a consortium of forestry professionals from
industry and government) was based on basic refer-
ences for normal yield tables of average stocking levels
found in natural uncut stands. The survey standard
was derived by reducing these normal stocking aver-
ages to averages found on recently cut areas judged to
be well managed. Thus, the stocking standard used in
the forest survey represents about 50 to 70 percent of
normal stocking for poletimber- and sawtimber-sized
stands. The sapling and seedling tree standard was
reduced even farther, to less than 50 percent below
normal stocking. Originally set at 1,000 t.p.a., the

normal stocking level was revised to 600 t.p.a. in the
1960’s to reflect standards based on new studies of
southern forests. Reasons for adopting standards so
much lower than normal for small trees reflect the
well-recognized tendency for young forest stands of
varying stocking levels to reach or approach normal
stocking as they grow older.

The arbitrary levels of stocking used in this study
were based on this revised stocking standard. Stands
<60 percent stocked with softwoods were considered
understocked, stands >60 but <120 percent stocked
with softwoods were considered fully stocked, and
stands >120 percent stocked with softwoods were con-
sidered overstocked. By definition, there were approx-
imately 360 softwood t.p.a. or less in an understocked
seedling- or sapling-sized stand (0.60 x 600 t.p.a.).
References to Louisiana’s softwood timberlands being
understocked or overstocked implies comparison to this
stocking standard of timber production. Many owners
will have different objectives, both economically and
esthetically; therefore, this paper is only a vehicle to
demonstrate realized (or unrealized) softwood produc-
tion based on the stocking standard described.

These classes of timberlands that are understocked
or overstocked with softwoods would be in general
agreement with the consensus established for optimum
production and quality of softwoods (Hughes and Kel-
lison 1983). However, individual nonindustrial private
forest (NIPF) owners may have entirely different objec-
tives. Low market prices might cause them not to rein-
vest in stand establishment after harvest. The highest
return might result from their doing nothing. This
seems evident based on the large amounts of NIPF
timberlands that are regenerating naturally.

The information concerning sapling-sized timber-
land is presented in both a proportional (for stocking
level percent) and absolute count (for t.p.a.) format.
The acreage of softwood timberland in the various
stocking level percentage categories cannot be directly
compared to acreage of softwood timberland in the
various t.p.a. categories because the category thres-
holds were not exactly comparable and because the
sampling techniques for the two formats were slightly
different. However, the acreages for understocked and
overstocked stands were similar regardless of whether
the stocking level or the t.p.a. method was used.

Saplings were defined as trees 21.0 inch but <5.0
inches in d.b.h. Hardwood seedlings were >1.0 foot in
height but <1.0 inch in d.b.h.; softwood seedlings were
>6.0 inches in height but <1.0 inch in d.b.h. Longleaf
pine seedlings were 20.5 inch in diameter at the
groundline but <1.0 inch in d.b.h.

The Southern Forest Experiment Station FIA unit
normally defines stand size in three categories:
sawtimber stands, poletimber stands, and sapling-
seedling-sized stands. This study focused only on
sapling-seedling-sized stands, which were stands with


Table B12. — Softwood and hardwood tree density of sapling-sized timberland by stand origin and diameter class, Louisiana, 1991*

Diameter class (Inches)

Stand All All 10-19

2.0-2.9 3.0-3.9 4.0-4.9 25.0

origin nt S.E+ soft! SEs hard’ Soft* Hard’

Soft' Hard* Soft’ Hard" Soft* Hard" Soft* Hard*

Natural 161 0.1123 421.4 90.0703 642.5 188.5 401.8 114.5 131.9 59.8 52.9 27.6 214 30.9 34.4
Plantation 139 0.0759 679.9 0.1033 3372.8 245.0 265.8 183.1 72 119.7 20.2 84.5 9.3 A416 6.3
All origins** 290 0.0654 545.3 0.0602 513.3 215.6 336.6 1474 102.8 88.5 37.2 54.9 15.6 38.9 20.9
SEF 0.0654 0.0602 0.0910 0.0684 0.0903 0.0816 0.0993 0.1263 0.1125 0.1570 0.0773 0.0838.

*Numbers in rows may not total due to rounding.
*Number of sample plots in rows.

+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column averages and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).

‘Softwood species.
‘Hardwood species.
**Average trees per acre for all plots.

Table B13. — Softwood and hardwood tree density of forest industry sapling-sized timberland by stand origin and diameter class, Louisiana, 1991*

Diameter class (Inches)

Stand All All 1.0-1.9 2.0-2.9 3.0-3.9 404.9 25.0
origin nt = S.E+  softt S.E+ hard* Soft* Hard" Soft’ Hard* Soft* Hard* Soft* _ Hard* Soft* Hard*
Natural 39 «(0.1776 «582.5 «0.1517 566.1 283.5 370.1 145.0 119.8 69.4 39.8 46.8 14.0 377 22.3
Plantation 87 _(0.0891__—«679.2 0.1306 381.3 236.6 282.0 188.4 67.7 123.1 179 83.1 8.6 48.1 5.2
All origins** 126 0.0809 649.5 0.1001 438.1 251.0 309.0 175.1 83.7 106.6 24.6 72.0 10.3 44.9 10.4
S.Et 0.0809 0.1001 0.1164 0.1039 0.1192 0.1311 0.1322 0.2255 0.1517 0.2750 0.1144 0.1906

“Numbers in rows may not total due to rounding.
‘Number of sample plots in rows.

*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column averages and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).

SSoftwood species.
SHardwood species.
**Average trees per acre for all plots.


Table B16.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by ownership class and softwood density class, Louisiana, 1991*

Number of softwood trees per acre*

Ownership all
class nt S.Et classes <200 200-399 400-599 600-799 800-999 1,000-1,199 1,200-1,399 21,400
~ Thousand acres ~~ _ _
National forest 19 0.2741 5.6 23.4 78 3.9 12.5 2.9 0.0 12.1 13.1
Other public 4 0.4981 23.0 0.0 11.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 118
Forest industry 126 0.0867 721.7 149.7 132.3 184.3 575 48.8 63.2 11 48
Nonindustrial
private 141 0.0811 818.8 412.0 144.1 66.4 52.5 48.0 28.7 22.1 45.1
Allowners 290 0.0555 1,639.0 585.1 295.3 254.6 122.4 99.7 91.9 45.2 144.8
SEs 0.0555 (0.0967 0.1376 0.1484 0.2151 0.2385 0.2484 0.3548 0.1976
nt 290 102 52 46 22 17 16 9 26
*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.
‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.
+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).
SIncludes all softwood trees >1.0 inch in diameter.
Table B17.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by stand origin and softwood density class, Louisiana, 1991*
Number of softwood trees per acre?
Stand All
origin nt SE#__ classes <200 200-399 400-599 600-799 800-999 1,000-1,199 1,200-1,399
seceeeeeeeesanatatensuswesssscannn ~-- Thousand acres —~
Natural 151 0.0793 853.8 445.7 158.0 61.1 30.9 24.0 28.0 31.7 743
Plantation 139 0.0829 785.3 139.4 137.3 193.4 91.5 75.6 63.9 13.5 10.5
Allorigins 290 0.0555 1,639.0 585.1 295.3 254.6 122.4 99.7 91.9 45.2 144.8
S.Es 0.0555 0.0967 0.1376 0.1484 0.2151 0.2385 0.2484 0.3548 0.1976
nt 290 102 52 46 22 17 16 9 26

“Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.
‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.
*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).
SIncludes all softwood trees >1.0 inch in diameter.


Table B4.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by forest survey unit and softwood stocking class, Louisiana, 1991*

Softwood stocking class (Percent)

Forest survey All
unit nt SEs classes <30 30-59 60-89 90-119 2120

-- Thousand acres ---

North Delta 5 0.4117 33.6 75 18.6 0.0 15 0.0
South Delta 1 0.0000 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.0
Southwest 131 0.0857 7376 117.1 192.9 165.6 175.6 86.4
Southeast 27 0.1879 160.0 29.6 30.2 46.3 24.6 29.4
Northwest 126 0.0879 7018 229.2 140.8 171.1 107.8 52.9
All units 290 0.0555 1,639.0 383.3 382.5 383.0 315.5 174.6
S.E+ 0.0555 0.1204 0.1205 0.1204 0.1330 0.1797
nt 290 66 67 69 57 31

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).

Table B5.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by ownership class and softwood stocking class, Louisiana, 1991*
Softwood stocking class (Percent)

Ownership All
class nt S.E+ classes <30 30-59 60-89 90-119 2120

National forest 19 0.2741 75.6 0.0 11.5 23.2 27.3 13.5
Other public 4 0.4981 23.0 0.0 5.7 0.0 110 6.3
Forest industry 126 0.0867 721.7 65.4 185.1 195.9 165.5 109.7
Nonindustrial
private 141 0.0811 818.8 317.9 180.2 163.9 1116 45.1
All owners 290 0.0555 1,639.0 383.3 382.5 383.0 315.5 174.6
S.E+ 0.0555, 0.1204 0.1205 0.1204 0.1330 0.1797
nt 290 66 67 69 57 31

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

#Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totels (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).

‘Table B6.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by stand origin and softwood stocking class, Louisiana, 1991*
Softwood stocking class (Percent)

Stand All
origin nt S.Et classes <30 30-59 60-89 90-119 2120

Natural 1651 0.0793 853.8 360.8 243.8 132.5, 85.5 312
Plantation 139 0.0829 785.3 22.6 138.7 250.5 230.0 143.4
All origins 290 0.0555 1,639.0 383.3 382.5 383.0 315.5 174.6
S.E+ 0.0555 0.1204 0.1205 0.1204 0.1336 0.1797
nt 290 66 67 69 57 31

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

*Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized seale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).

15


Overall, naturally regenerated stands had lower soft-
wood densities than plantations. Statewide, they aver-
aged 421 t.p.a. for softwoods. In contrast, plantations
averaged 680 t.p.a. Forest industry and NIPF planta-
tions were almost equal with 679 and 669 t.p.a. for
softwoods, respectively. Naturally regenerated stands
on NIPF lands averaged 296 t.p.a. for softwoods,
whereas naturally regenerated stands on forest indus-
try lands averaged 582 t.p.a., an indication that early
management opportunities had been utilized on forest
industry lands.

In Louisiana, there were 585,100 acres of sapling-sized
stands with less than 200 t.p.a. for softwoods. Again,
most of these stands were in the Southwest and North-
west forest survey units. Seventy percent of these
stands were on NIPF lands, and 26 percent were on
forest industry lands (fig. 6). Most of these under-
stocked stands (76 percent) were naturally regene-
rated.

There were 281,900 acres in stands in which soft-
woods exceeded 1,000 t.p.a. Fifty-three percent of these
stands were on forest industry lands, and 34 percent
were on NIPF lands. Surprisingly, there were 139,400
acres of plantations that had less than 200 t.p.a. for
softwoods. In contrast, 147,900 acres of plantations
had softwood densities exceeding 1,000 t.p.a. At the
least, there were 287,300 acres of sapling-sized planta-
tions that needed followup regeneration or density con-
trol measures.

CONCLUSION

At the time of the 1991 Louisiana forest survey, there
were 1,258,100 and 1,639,000 acres in seedling-sized
and sapling-sized stands, respectively. The largest por-
tions of these stands were on forest industry and NIPF
lands. Only a very small portion was in the public
domain — 71,500 and 98,600 acres in seedling-sized and
sapling-sized stands, respectively. Most of the seedling-
sized and sapling-sized stands were naturally
regenerated — 63 percent and 52 percent, respectively.

The survey shows that 305,700 acres of seedling-
sized stands were adequately stocked with softwoods
(>60 percent stocking level) and that 952,500 acres
were inadequately stocked with softwoods (<60 percent
stocking level); however, 414,100 acres had not had
adequate time to regenerate after harvest by the time
of the sample. Most of the understocked, seedling-sized
acreage was on NIPF lands (553,600 acres) and in
naturally regenerated stands (679,500 acres of forest
industry, NIPF, and public lands combined). Many of
these understocked seedling-sized stands may reach
adequate softwood stocking levels by the time they
attain sapling size, but many will fail due to drought,
poor establishment, hardwood competition, etc. There-
fore, until these seedling-sized stands become older,
only their current stocking levels can be used for
assessment.

1,200 - 1,399

1,000 - 1,199 RK

(21.0 INCH IN DIAMETER)

[EH

NS

H

fi

a
800- ook

Ee

ASS

TREES PER ACRE FOR ALL SOFTWOODS

<200
KS

FOREST INousTRY
NONINOUSTRIAL
KV PRIVATE

200 300 400 500 600
THOUSAND ACRES

Figure 6.—Softwood tree density class (trees per acre) by area of sapling-sized
stands and ownership class, Louisiana, 1991. Error bars represent one

standard error.


cacooTeossice (essrer[ecmeeane —Tunow

NORTHWEST

_
Va

SOUTHWEST

CONCORDIA,

Figure 1.— Forest survey units for Louisiana.

WASHINGTON


‘Table II. ~ Stocking proportion of trees by diameter class and size for
sapling- and seedling-sized stands, Louisiana, 1991

‘Tree diameter class (Inches)
21.0 but <5.0 25.0

Stand size n* <10

wes Percent -m-~

Seedling 220 76.2 11.4 12.4
Sapling 290 9.1 69.5 214

*Total number of sample plots.

>50 percent of total stocking in trees <5.0 inches in
d.b.h. Furthermore, precommercial-sized softwood was
defined as those trees <5.0 inches in d.b.h. in sapling-
seedling-sized stands. By this definition, a minor por-
tion of stocking in sapling-seedling-sized stands was in
trees 25.0 inches in d.b.h. Likewise, softwood trees <5.0
inches in d.b.h. occurred in poletimber and sawtimber
stands. For this study, it was assumed that these
stands were being managed under guidelines that tar-
geted poletimber and sawtimber in management;
therefore, trees <5.0 inches in d.b.h. in these stands
were not included.

The study was enhanced by the separation of
sapling-seedling-sized stands into sapling-sized stands
and seedling-sized stands. A sapling-sized stand was a
sapling-seedling-sized stand in which >50 percent of
stand stocking was in trees 21.0 but <5.0 inches in
d.b.h. Seedling-sized stands were sapling-seedling-
sized stands in which >50 percent of stand stocking
was in trees <1.0 inch in d.b.h. Sample plots were not
completely homogeneous with respect to tree size.
Table II illustrates the overall average proportion of
trees in three size-class parameters for each stand-size
class. For example, 76.2 percent of total stocking in
seedling-sized stands was in trees <1.0 inch in d.b.h.
(seedlings), 11.4 percent was in trees 21.0 but <5.0
inches in d.b.h. (saplings), and 12.4 percent was in trees
25.0 inches in d.b.h. (poletimber and sawtimber).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Seedling-sized Stands

There were 1,258,100 acres of upland seedling-sized
stands in Louisiana at the time of the 1991 survey.
Most of these stands (1,045,100 acres) were located in
the Southwest and Northwest forest survey units (fig.
1). Fifty-eight percent of the seedling-sized stands were
on NIPF lands, 36 percent were on forest industry
lands, and the remaining 6 percent were on public
lands. A large proportion of stands originated from
natural regeneration: 796,600 acres versus 461,500
acres originating from plantations. Most of the natu-
rally regenerated seedling-sized stands were on NIPF

lands (545,800 acres); the plantation acreage was
almost evenly split, with 242,800 acres on forest indus-
try lands and 187,700 acres on NIPF lands.

The predominant forest type found in seedling-sized
stands was oak-hickory, with 559,000 acres (44 percent
of seedling-sized stands). Twenty-six percent of the
seedling-sized stands were in the loblolly-shortleaf pine
forest type, and 24 percent were in the oak-pine type.
The longleaf-slash pine type was a minor component of
seedling-sized stands, with 64,000 acres.

A total of 952,500 acres had <60 percent softwood
stocking. Seventy-six percent of seedling-sized stands
were in this understocked condition. However, it is not
possible to discern with absolute certainty the number
of seedling-sized acres that were in an understocked
condition. In the 1990 and 1991 growing season,
414,100 acres were clearcut in Louisiana.? It is not
reasonable to assume that all of this acreage either had
naturally regenerated fully or had been site prepared
and planted by the time of field measurement.

Furthermore, there are regional differences in soft-
wood stocking. In the Southwest unit, 67 percent of
seedling stands had a softwood stocking level of <60
percent, while in the Northwest unit, 83 percent of
seedling stands were in this condition. Thirty-five per-
cent of the understocked stands were on forest indus-
try lands, and 58 percent were on NIPF lands. On
forest industry lands, 74 percent of the 453,100 acres of
seedling-sized stands had <60 percent softwood stock-
ing levels (fig. 2). The status of NIPF lands was slightly
worse, with 553,600 acres (75 percent) understocked. A
large portion of these understocked stands, 679,500
acres (59 percent of stands with a softwood stocking
level <60 percent), was on lands that had regenerated
naturally after harvesting (fig. 3). On naturally regene-
rated stands, most of the acreage was <30 percent
stocked, while in plantations, most was 30 through 59
percent stocked.

Very few stands, only 18,300 acres, are overstocked
with softwoods (>120 percent softwood stocking). A
total of 287,400 acres is adequately stocked with soft-
woods (>60 but <120 percent softwood stocking). Over-
all, there are more seedling-sized stands satisfactorily
stocked on NIPF lands than on forest industry lands,
167,200 and 111,800 acres, respectively. However, the
proportion of satisfactorily stocked stands is consider-
ably less for NIPF lands. There are 182,300 acres of
seedling-sized plantations in the >60 but <120 percent
stocking level category (40 percent of all seedling-sized
stands on plantations).

2Rosson James F,, Jr. [In preparation]. Current stand characteris-
tics of Louisiana timberland harvested between 1975 and 1991. To be
published as a research paper by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station, New Orleans,
LA.


Table B7.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by forest survey unit and proportion of total stocking in softwoods, Louisiana. 1991*

Percentage class!

Forest survey All
unit nt SE# classes 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100
North Delta 5 04117 33.6 0.0 0.0 15 00° 1L7 0.0 69 0.0 0.0 15
South Delta 1 0.0000 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.0
Southwest 131 0.0857 7376 «= 46.8 46.6 34.7 68.6847. 599 1110 844 99.7 1384
Southeast 27 0.1879 160.0 6.1 0.0 30.2177 58 169 177 173 186 298
Northwest 126 0.0879 701.8 «126.539.764.871 9.2939 50.314 AA 144
All units 290 0.0555 1,639.0 1793 86.3 1372 1534 1343 170.7 1859 1632 172.6 256.01
SE+t 0.0555 0.1773 0.2565 0.2031 0.1919 0.2052 0.1818 0.1741 0.1860 0.1808 0.1480
nt 290 31 15 23 27 24 31 32 30 31 46

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).

*Proportion of total stand stocking level that is in softwoods. Percentage of softwoods = [softwood stocking/(hardwood + softwood stocking)]
x 100.

Table B8.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by ownership class and proportion of total stocking in softwoods, Louisiana, 1991*

Percentage class*

Ownership All
class nt S.E# classes 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100
~~ Thousand acres -----------------------nseneernnnnnenennnnnenennnnnnnnnnnnne
National forest 19 0.2741 75.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 16 78 17 0.0 20.0 76 24.8
Other public 4 0.4981 23.0 0.0 00 = 0.0 57 0.0 0.0 55 0.0 5.5 63
Forest industry 126 0.0867 T2417 10.6 15 T1L4 45.7 57.1 95.1 96.7 89.2 97.3 151.0

Nonindustrial

private 141 0.0811 818.8 168.7 78.8 65.8 94.5 69.4 67.9 83.7 53.9 62.2 73.9
Allowners 290 0.0555 1,639.0 179.3 86.3 « «1872 «153.4 1343 170.7 185.9 163.2 172.6 256.0
SEt 0.0555 0.1773 0.2565 0.2031 0.1919 0.2052 0.1818 0.1741 0.1860 0.1808 0.1480
nt 290 31 15 23 27 24 31 32 30 31 46

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).

SProportion of total stand stocking level that is in softwoods. Percentage of softwoods = [softwood stocking/(hardwood + softwood stocking)]
x 100.

‘Table B9.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by stand origin and proportion of total stocking in softwoods, Louisiana, 1991*

Percentage class*

Stand All
origin nt S.E.* classes 09 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100
Natural 151 0.0793 853.8 174.2 80.3 119.7 125.4 75.1 84.6 514 772 24.2 41.6
Plantation 139 0.0829 185.3 5. 61 17.4 28.0 59.3 86.1 134.5 86.0 148.4 214.4
All origins 290 0.0555 1,639.0 179.3 86.3 137.2 153.4 134.3 170.7 185.9 163.2 172.6 256.0
S.E+ 0.0555 0.1773 0.2565 0.2031 0.1919 0.2052 0.1818 0.1741 0.1860 0.1808 0.1480
of 290 31 15 23 27 24 31 32 30 31 46

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).

‘Proportion of total stand stocking level that is in softwoods. Percentage of softwoods = (softwood stocking/(hardwood + softwood stocking)]
x 100.

16


picked up in the sample. Therefore, softwoods not dom-
inant when stands were seedling-sized may have
become dominant (and subsequently were sampled) as
these stands shifted to sapling size. Additionally, where
implemented, management activities, such as fire or
mechanical methods, favor the status of softwoods over
hardwoods.

More than 765,800 acres (47 percent) had <60 per-
cent softwood stocking. Recall that just over three-
fourths of the seedling-sized stands were in this condi-
tion. In many instances the acreage of understocked
stands may decrease between seedling size and large
sapling size because of two reasons. As tree size
increases, a higher proportion of the stocking standard
becomes filled. Additionally, many stands may not have
fully regenerated or may not have been planted by the
time the sample was taken.

A large portion of these understocked sapling-sized
stands was on NIPF lands (65 percent) (fig. 4) and in
naturally regenerated stands (79 percent) (fig. 5). A
total of 174,600 acres (11 percent) was overstocked with
softwoods (stocking =120 percent). Sixty-three percent
of these stands were on forest industry lands, and 82
percent originated from plantations (fig. 5). A total of
698,500 acres (43 percent of all sapling-sized stands)
was adequately stocked with softwoods.

There was a sizeable amount of acreage (402,800
acres) in which the proportion of the total stand stock-
ing level in softwoods was <30 percent. Most of these
stands were in the Northwest survey unit (231,000
acres). Seventy-eight percent of these stands were on
NIPF lands, and 93 percent were naturally regene-
rated. In contrast, there were 591,800 acres on which
>70 percent of total stand stocking was in softwoods.
Most of these stands (322,500 acres) were in the South-
west survey unit. In addition, 337,500 acres (57 per-
cent) were on forest industry lands, and 448,800 acres
(76 percent) were on plantations.

Overall, Louisiana averaged 545 t.p.a. for softwoods
and 513 t.p.a. for hardwoods, a total of 1,058 t.p.a. (of
trees 21.0 but <5.0 inches in d.b.h.). Total softwood and
hardwood site occupancy averaged approximately 1,000
t.p.a. for both natural and plantation stands. However,
because of a shift in management options that favored
softwoods, plantation stands had a higher proportion of
total site occupancy in softwoods. Highest t.p.a. was on
other public lands, but with only four sample plots, the
inference was weak. Average softwood densities for the
State were lowered by low density levels on NIPF lands.
There, densities averaged 405 t.p.a. for softwoods. Forest
industry and national forest lands had satisfactory densi-
ties with 650 and 899 t.p.a. for softwoods, respectively.

C] PUBLIC YW tuousyRY fq are tat NATURAL fg PLANTATIONS,
600 700
600- fh

s00F
© 2 soob :
wy Wy
& 400F & TP
S x 400 F L |
Q 8
5 ser + 5 300
8 a 8
2 200f J SJ
K | ® 200f L

_ +:
100 x / 100 + i
aes |e) ees le 5 : chy

<60 60 120 >120

PERCENT STOCKING CLASSES
(RANGE: O TO 160)

Figure 4.—Area of sapling-sized stands by softwood stocking class
and ownership class, Louisiana, 1991. Error bars repre-
sent one standard error.

<60 60 TO 120 >120

PERCENT STOCKING CLASSES
(RANGE: O TO 160)

Figure 5.—Area of sapling-sized stands by softwood stocking class
and stand origin, Louisiana, 1991. Error bars represent
one standard error.


The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its
programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability,
political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to
all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for com-
munication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should
contact the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202)
720-7808 (TDD).

To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Washington, DC. 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202)
720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer.

*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:1994-565-016/80051


(Oa The Status of
Forest Service Precommercial-Sized

Southern Forest

Experiment Station Softwoods in Louisiana, 1991

New Orleans,
Louisiana

Research Paper
sone. James F. Rosson, Jr.
January 1994

eS


Appendix A
Seedling Resource Tables


Sapling-sized stands had 765,800 acres under-
stocked (stocking level <60 percent), 698,500 acres ade-
quately stocked (stocking level 60 to 120 percent), and
174,600 acres overstocked (stocking level >120 percent).
Most (498,100 acres) of the understocked acreage is on
NIPF lands; the majority of overstocked acreage
(109,700 acres) is on forest industry lands. Again,
almost all of the timberlands understocked with soft-
woods are on NIPF lands that have naturally regene-
rated; they averaged 296 t.p.a. If maximum softwood
production is to be realized, there are far too many
sapling-sized stands (585,100 acres) in Louisiana with
<200 softwood t.p.a.

Lack of procedures and policies to ensure adequate
regeneration of softwoods on NIPF lands after har-
vesting gives rise to the possibility of reduced future
supplies of softwoods in Louisiana. Young stands with
marginally low initial stocking levels risk becoming
understocked poletimber and sawtimber stands,
especially where conditions (drought, competition,

pests, disease, and poor seedling quality) increase soft-
wood seedling and sapling mortality. Currently,
932,500 and 765,800 acres of seedling-sized and
sapling-sized stands, respectively, have inadequate soft-
wood stocking levels. Opportunities exist to substan-
tially increase and develop the softwood resource by
ensuring the adequate establishment of softwood seed-
lings and saplings in the initial phases of stand develop-
ment.

LITERATURE CITED

Hughes, Joseph H.; Kellison, R.C. 1983. Stocking
control-silviculture thinning during the rapid
growth years. In: Proceedings of the symposium on
the loblolly pine ecosystem (east region); 1982
December 8-10; Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC: North
Carolina State University: 186-145.


THOUSAND ACRES

FOREST
INDUSTRY

C] PUBLIC WY,

700

NONINDUSTRIAL
PRIVATE

600-
500;
400
300
200

100 -

Tal BT

<60 60 TO 120 >120

PERCENT STOCKING CLASSES
(RANGE: O TO 160)

Figure 2. —Area of seedling-sized stands by softwood stocking class
and ownership class, Louisiana, 1991. Error bars repre-
sent one standard error.

Another way to characterize seedling stands is by the
relative proportion of the total stand stocking level that
is in softwood trees. This method of characterization
expresses the ratio between softwoods and hardwoods
in the total stand density. The survey shows that there
were 638,600 acres of seedling-sized stands that had
<30 percent of their total stand stocking in softwoods
and >70 percent in hardwoods. Most of these stands
were in the Northwest survey unit: 302,700 acres of
seedling-sized stands had =70 percent of the total stand
in softwoods and <30 percent in hardwoods.

The major portion of stands with <30 percent of the
total stand in softwoods (381,200 acres) was on NIPF
lands.

Forest industries hold 216,100 acres of stands in a
similar condition. Most of the stands (516,200 acres)
were naturally regenerated. This acreage was 81 per-
cent of all seedling-sized stands in the <30 percent
proportion class. Only 234,700 acres in plantations (51
percent) had >50 percent of the total stand in soft-
woods. In natural stands, only 168,600 acres (25 per-
cent) had >50 percent of the total stand in softwoods.

Sapling-Sized Stands

There were 1,639,000 acres of upland sapling-sized
stands in Louisiana. As with seedling-sized stands,

NATURAL. | PLANTATIONS

800

700

600

500

400

300

THOUSAND ACRES

200

100

|
>120

60 TO 120

<60

PERCENT STOCKING CLASSES
(RANGE: O TO 160)

Figure 3.—Area of seedling-sized stands by softwood stocking class
and stand origin, Louisiana, 1991. Error bars represent
one standard error.

most of these stands were in the Southwest and North-
west forest survey units. Forty-four percent of these
stands were on forest industry lands, and 50 percent
were on NIPF lands. A total of 853,800 acres originated
from natural regeneration; 785,300 acres originated
from plantations. Most of the plantations (500,100
acres) were on forest industry lands; only 239,100 acres
were on NIPF lands.

The predominant forest types were loblolly-shortleaf
pine, oak-pine, and oak-hickory, accounting for 50, 22,
and 20 percent of all sapling-sized stands, respectively.
These percentages are in sharp contrast to seedling-
sized stands in which 44 percent was in the oak-
hickory type. One explanation for this difference is that
as stands become older, sample dominance shifts
toward softwoods because of their faster height growth
rate as compared to hardwoods. Much of this difference
can be explained by the Southern Station FIA sample
design. Based on the theoretical 16-percent maximum
stocking at each satellite point, only the four most
dominant saplings (or seedlings if there were no trees
>1L0 inch in d.b.h.) were tallied when less than two
5-inch trees occurred on the prism sample. Because of
their superior sprouting capability, hardwoods are
sampled as the four dominant trees in very young
stands. As these young stands develop, pine height sur-
passes hardwood height, and, subsequently, pines are


Table B14, —Softwood and hardwood tree density of nonindustrial private sapling-sized timberland by stand origin and diameter class, Louisiana, 1991*
Diameter class (Inches)

Stand All All 1,0-1.9 2.0-2.9 3.0-3.9 404.9 25.0
origin nt S.Et__soft# S.E1 hard’ Soft! Hard’ Soft® _ Hard* Soft! Hard* Soft* __Hard* Soft’ Hard
ae aaennnaesstneneeuenserennntennensnnnnrcneennnneesnett + Trees per acre ---n---vneeeeeesnnceneesnnsenentnnnenetennenneen a
Natural 100 0.1513 296.2 0.0790 6970 :128.3. 434.5 78.3 138.4 46.0 59.2 15.0 24.8 28.5 40.0
Plantation 41 0.1536 669.4 0.1887 342.8 274.1 223.3 175.5 TLT 101.5 28.0 80.2 11.2 38.3 8.6
Allorigins** 141 0.1132 405.2 0.0763 593.6 170.9 372.8 106.7 118.9 622 50.1 34.0 20.9 314 30.9
S.Et 0.1131 0.0763 0.1548 0.0929 0.1487 0.1111 0.1803 0.1548 0.2015 0.1979 0.1126 0.0888.

*Numbers in rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in rows.

+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column averages and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).
#Softwood species.

‘Hardwood species.

** Average trees per acre for all plots.

‘Table B15.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by forest survey unit and softwood density class, Louisiana, 1991*

Number of softwood trees per acre*

Forest survey All

unit nt S.Et classes <200 200-399 400-599 600-799 800-999 1,000-1,199 1,200-1,399 21,400
-- Thousand acres ----

North Delta 5 04117 38.6 0.0 0.0 1.7 0.0 0.0 144 0.0 15
South Delta 1 0.0000 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Southwest 131 0.0857 737.6 242.2 144.9 138.5 66.2 43.0 28.6 23.2 50.9
Southeast 27 (0.1879 160.0 48.7 29.2 6.5 23.5 179 127 104 6.1
Northwest 126 0.0879 701.8 294.1 121.3 978 26.6 38.7 312 116 80.3
All units 290 0.0555 1,639.0 585.1 295.3 254.6 122.4 99.7 91.9 45.2 144.8
S.Et 0.0555, 0.0967 0.1376 0.1484 0.2151 0.2385, 0.2484 0.3548 0.1976
nt 290 102 52 46 22 7 16 9 26

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.
*Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).
SIncludes all softwood trees 21.0 inch in diameter.


The Status of Precommercial-Sized Softwoods
in Louisiana, 1991

James F. Rosson, Jr.

INTRODUCTION

The results of the 1991 Louisiana forest survey
showed a removal-to-growth ratio of 1.26 to 1 for soft-
woods!, raising concerns about future sustainable sup-
plies of the softwood resource for the State. At present,
the growing-stock softwood inventory is adequate to
meet short-term goals, but long-term decisions and
unforeseen drains on the resource from new users
require an indepth look at the future softwood
resource, primarily the precommercial-sized softwoods
in sapling-seedling-sized stands.

Currently, Louisiana has 13,783,000 acres of timber-
land. Of these, 3,403,400 acres (2,897,100 acres on
upland sites; 506,300 acres on bottomland sites) are in
sapling-seedling-sized stands. With one-fourth of Loui-
siana timberland in this size class, long-term man-
agers and policymakers concerned with the softwood
resource need to know the status of softwoods on these
timberlands. Because of the amount of Louisiana tim-
berlands in this size class and the increasing intensity
of environmental regulations, it is even more important
that lands targeted for timber production be max-
imized. Therefore, harvesting pressure would be taken
off timberland set aside for such things as esthetics,
wildlife, recreation, and watershed protection.

Specifically, this study focused on the stocking levels
and tree densities of softwoods in upland sapling- and
seedling-sized stands by ownership, stand origin, forest
type, and diameter classes. Resource tables for
seedling-sized stands are provided in appendix A, tables
Al through AQ; resource tables for sapling-sized stands
are provided in appendix B, tables B1 through B17.

1Rosson, James F., Jr. [In preparation]. The forest resources of
Louisiana, 1991. To be published as a resource bulletin by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experi-
ment Station, New Orleans, LA.

METHODS

The USDA Forest Service, Southern Forest Experi-
ment Station, headquartered in New Orleans, Loui-
siana, administers the Louisiana forest survey; the
Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) unit, located in
Starkville, Mississippi, is responsible for conducting
the survey.

Data from the 1991 Louisiana forest survey were
used to analyze the precommercial-sized softwood
resource in upland sapling-seedling-sized stands. Tree
measurements were made on a total of 2,413 sample
plots. Of the 510 sapling-seedling-sized plots on upland
sites, 290 were sapling sized and 220 were seedling
sized.

The sample design was a two-phase method: dot
counts for estimating timberland area and tree mea-
surements on sample plots for determining stand and
tree attributes. Sample plots were located on a 3-mile
square grid with a 10-point satellite system covering
approximately 1 acre at each plot location. Trees =5.0
inches in diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) were mea-
sured with a 37.5-basal area factor prism. Saplings
were measured on a 7.1-foot radius plot at satellite
points 1, 2, and 3. For stocking assessment only, sap-
lings were tallied on points 4 through 10 if less than
two live trees 5.0 inches in d.b.h. were sampled at the
respective point; seedlings were tallied on points 1
through 10 if no live trees >1.0 inch in d.b.h. occurred at
the respective sample point. This design allowed the
determination of stocking levels for a particular strata
without oversampling small trees.

The sampling procedure was based on the premise of
a theoretical maximum stocking level. In this scenario,
each point in the satellite sample cannot be over 16
percent stocked with trees (maximum plot stocking
thus equals 160 percent). Stocking is expressed as the
ratio (in percent) of sampled stand density (based on

James F, Rosson, Jr,, is a research forester, Forest Inventory and Analysis, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest

Experiment Station, Starkville, MS 39759.


Table A7.—Area of seedling-sized timberland by forest survey unit and proportion of total stocking in softwoods, Louisiana, 1991*

Percentage class*
Forest survey All
unit nt SE4 classes 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100
--- Thousand acres ~~

North Delta 2 0.5599 18.2 18.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
South Delta 0 0.0000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Southwest 95 0.1016 532.4 95.4 69.3 54.5 42.5 59.1 44.4 63.8 57.8 5.5 40.1
Southeast 33 (0.1701 194.7 51.0 34.9 12.5 6.5 6.1 29.6 11.7 0.0 5.2 37.3
Northwest 90 0.1036 512.7 171.8 62.5, 68.4 43.9 58.2 5L7 16.4 22.7 5.4 117
All units 220 «(0.0643 1,258.1 336.4 166.7 135.5 92.8 123.4 125.7 91.8 80.4 16.1 89.2
S.E+ 0.0643 0.1287 0.1840 0.2044 §90.2472 0.2142 0.2122 0.2486 0.2657 0.5948 0.2523
nt 220 57 30 24 17 22 22 16 14 3 15

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

*Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).

SProportion of total stand stocking level that is in softwoods. Percentage of softwoods = (softwood stocking/(hardwood + softwood stocking)]
x 100,

Table A8.—Area of seedling-sized timberland by ownership class and proportion of total stocking in softwoods, Louisiana, 1991*
Percentage class*

Ownership All
class nt S.E* classes 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100
--- Thousand acres --

National forest 13 0.3300 52.3 88 113 8.4 3.9 11.4 0.0 8.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Other public 3 0.5456 19.2 6.3 0.0 6.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.5

Forest industry 78 0.1105 453.1 107.1 58.2 50.8 44.0 53.4 45.2 24.4 40.9 0.0 29.2
Nonindustrial

private 126 0.0859 733.5 214.2 97.2 69.8 44.9 58.6 80.5 59.0 39.5 16.1 53.5,

All owners 220 «0.0643 = 1,258.1 336.4 166.7 135.5 92.8 123.4 125.7 91.8 80.4 16.1 89.2

S.Et 0.0643 0.1287 0.1840 0.2044 0.2472 0.2142 0.2122 0.2486 0.2657 0.5948 0.2523

nt 220 57 30 24 17 22 22 16 14 3 15

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.
*Number of sample plots in columns and rows.
+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).
’Proportion of total stand stocking level that is in softwoods. Percentage of softwoods = [softwood stocking/(hardwood + softwood stocking)]
x 100.

Table A9.—Area of seedling-sized timberland by stand origin and proportion of total stocking in softwoods, Louisiana, 1991*

Percentage classé

Stand All
origin nt SE# classes 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100

-- Thousand acres ---

Natural 139 0.0823 796.6 287.7 155.0 73.5 61.7 50.1 46.7 35.2 28.1 10.7 47.9
Plantation 81 0.1094 461.5 48.7 11.7 61.9 31.2 73.3 79.0 56.7 52.3 54 41.3

All origins 220 «(0.0643 1,258.1 336.4 166.7 135.5 92.8 123.4 125.7 91.8 80.4 16.1 89.2
S.E+ 0.0643 0.1287 0.1840 0.2044 0.2472 0.2142 0.2122 0.2486 0.2657 0.5948 0.2523
nt 220 57 30 24 17 22 22 16 14 3 15

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.
‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.
*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000).
5Proportion of total stand stocking level that is in softwoods, Percentage of softwoods = [softwood stocking/(hardwood + softwood stocking))
x 100.

12


14

‘Table B1.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by forest survey unit and ownership class, Louisiana, 1991*

Ownership class
Forest survey All National Other Forest Nonindustrial
unit nt S.E+ classes forest public industry private

North Delta 5 0.4117 33.6 0.0 0.0 20.9 12.7
South Delta 1 0.0000 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.0
Southwest 131 0.0857 7376 51.0 11.9 418.2 256.5
Southeast 27 0.1879 160.0 0.0 0.0 59.7 100.3
Northwest 126 0.0879 701.8 24.7 11.0 222.9 443.2
All units 290 0.0555, 1,639.0 75.6 23.0 721.7 818.8
S.E+ 0.0555 0.2741 0.4981 0.0867 0.0811
nt 290 19 4 126 141

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).

‘Table B2.—Area of sapling-sized timberland by forest survey unit and forest type, Louisiana, 1991*

Forest type

Forest survey All Longleaf-slash —_Loblolly-shortleaf
unit nt S.E.+ types pine pine Oak-pine Oak-hickory

-- Thousand acres -~

North Delta 5 04117 33.6 0.0 14.4 17 15
South Delta 1 0.0000 6.0 0.0 6.0 0.0 0.0
Southwest 131 0.0857 737.6 115.7 377.7 133.4 110.9
Southeast 27 0.1879 160.0 18.1 82.1 29.3 30.4
Northwest 126 0.0879 701.8 0.0 334.4 183.6 183.8
Allunits 290 0.0555 1,639.0 133.8 814.7 358.0 332.6
SEs 0.0555 0.2057 0.0813 0.1247 0.1295
nt 290 24 146 63 57

“Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).

‘Table B3,—Area of sapling-sized timberland by stand origin and ownership class, Louisiana, 1991*

Ownership class

Stand All National Other Forest Nonindustrial
origin nt SE+ classes forest public industry private

Natural 151 0.0793 853.8 41.3 11.2 221.6 579.7
Plantation 139 0.0829 785.3 34.3 11.8 500.1 239.1
All origins 290 0.0555 1,639.0 75.6 23.0 721.7 818.8
S.E+ 0.0555 0.2741 0.4981 0.0867 0.0811
nt 290 19 4 126 141

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

*Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized ecale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).


CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
METHODS sees
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .

Seedling-sized Stands . 3

Sapling-sized Stands .......... 06.2: sere cence eee e eens 5
CONCLUSION 7
APPENDIXES

Appendix A.—Seedling Resource Tables ..............--+++ 9
Appendix B.—Sapling Resource Tables .................0+5 13


United States
Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Southern Forest
Experiment Station

701 Loyola Ave., Rm.T-10210
New Orleans, LA 70113-1931

OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penaity for Private Use $300



SUMMARY

The status of precommercial-sized softwoods in Louisiana was
analyzed on 2,897,100 acres of sapling-seedling-sized timberland.
There were 1,258,100 acres of upland seedling-sized stands and
1,639,000 acres of upland sapling-sized stands. Forty-six percent of
seedling-sized stands and 51 percent of sapling-sized stands origi-
nated from plantations. Most of the seedling-sized stands (58 per-
cent) were on nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) lands, along with
50 percent of sapling-sized stands.

There were 952,500 acres of seedling-sized stands and 765,800
acres of sapling-sized stands that were <60 percent stocked with
softwoods. Seedling- and sapling-sized stands with initially low
softwood stocking levels have a higher risk of becoming under-
stocked poletimber and sawtimber stands, especially where condi-
tions (e.g., drought, competition, pests, disease, and/or poor
seedling quality) impact mortality rates during the first 15 years of
stand development.


10

‘Table Al.—Area of seedling-sized timberland by forest survey unit and ownership class, Louisiana, 1991*

Ownership class
Forest survey All National Other Forest Nonindustrial
unit nt SE* classes forest public industry private
-- Thousand acres ~~

North Delta 2 0.5599 18.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 18.2
South Delta 0 0.0000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Southwest 95 0.1016 532.4 38.2 0.0 181.4 312.8
Southeast 33 0.1701 194.7 0.0 12.9 43.1 138.8
Northwest 90 0.1036, 512.7 14.1 6.3 228.7 263.7
All units 220 0.0643 1,258.1 52.3 19.2 453.1 733.5
S.Et 0.0643, 0.3300 0.5456 0.1105 0.0859
nt 220 13 3 78 126

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

*Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
11,0000).

‘Table A2. —Area of seedling-sized timberland by forest survey unit and forest type, Louisiana, 1991*

Forest type
Forest survey All Longleaf-slash  Loblolly-shortleaf
unit nt _SE*__ types pine pine Oak-pine __ Oak-hickory

North Delta 2 0.5599 18.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 18.2
South Delta 0 0.0000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00
Southwest 95 0.1016 532.4 40.7 170.9 138.8 182.1
Southeast 33 (0.1701 194.7 23.3 54.0 25.0 92.4
Northwest 90 0.1036 512.7 0.0 107.9 138.4 266.4

All units 220 0.0643 1,258.1 64.0 332.8 302.2 559.0

S.Et 0.0643 0.2980 0.1294 0.1360 0.0991

nt 220 11 58 54 97

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

*Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

#Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000),

Table A3.—Area of seedling-sized timberland by stand origin and ownership class, Louisiana, 1991*

Ownership class
Stand All National Other Forest Nonindustrial
origin nt SE classes forest public industry private
- Thousand acres ~~
Natural 139 0.0823 796.6 27.7 12.7 210.4 545.8
Plantation 810.1094 461.5 24.6 65 242.8 182.7
All origins 220 0.0643 1,258.1 52.3 19,2 453.1 733.5
S.E+ 0.0643 0.3300 0.5456 0.1105 0.0859
nt 220 13 3 78 126

*Numbers in columns and rows may not total due to rounding.

‘Number of sample plots in columns and rows.

+Sampling errors (for one standard error) for column and row totals (on a relativized scale ranging from 0.0000 to
1.0000).


Appendix B
Sapling Resource Tables

13