United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Characteristics of a Direct-Seeded

Eastern White Pine Plantation on the

Mid-Cumberland Plateau at Four Ages

Southern

Research Station

Glendon W. Smalley and James M. Hollingsworth

Research Note

SO-384

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION

Growth and yield of a direct-seeded eastern white pine

(finus sfrobus L.) plantation established in 1959 on a

broad undulating sandstone upland (Landtype 1) are

summarized. Average heights of dominant and codominant pines were 35,56, 65, and 76 ft at ages 15,25, 30,

and 34 years, respectively. Equivalent site indices (base

age 25 years from seed) were 56,56,58, and 63 at those

respective ages. At age 34, there were 418 pines per

acre, which represents a survival rate of 25 percent based

on a stocking of 1,650 stems at age 4. Other stand parameters at age 34 were quadratic mean diameter, 8.3

inches; basal area, 157 ft2/acre; and merchantable yield

(outside bark to a 3.0-inch top o.b., all trees 23.6 inches

in d.b.h.), 5,229 ft3/acre. Also 319 pines per acre were

23.6 inches in d.b.h., and 127 pines were 29.6 inches in

d.b.h.. Hardwoods (20.6 inches in d.b.h.) numbered 254

and accounted for an additional 37 ft2 of basal area.

Dominant and codominant yellow-poplars (Liriodendron

tulipifera L.), black cherries (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), and

chestnut oaks (Quercus prinus L.) comprised 25 ft2 of

the hardwood basal area. Cubic yield of this direct-seeded

white pine plantation on the Mid-Cumberland Plateau

has been less than the average yield of planted plantations in the Southern Appalachians, and this study plantation has not grown as well as a nearby planted

plantation. But site index is apparently at least 8 ft taller

than the estimate for Landtype 1 in the regional forest

site classification guide.

Glendon W. Smalley (retired) was Principal Soil Scientist at the Silviculture Laboratory, formerly maintained at Sewanee, TN, by the Southern Forest Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, in cooperation

with the University of the South. James M. Hollingsworth was an undergraduate student, the University of the South, Sewanee, TN; he is

now a graduate student, School of Forestry, Auburn University, AL.

January 1997

In the late 1950’s, a major emphasis in forest management on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee was

to convert poorly stocked, low-quality upland hardwood

stands to loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Although native

to only the extreme southern end of the plateau, loblolly

pine was favored for conversion because.this species

grew rapidly and was readily merchantable at an early

age for pulpwood. Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.)

was native to the central and northern portions of the

plateau and some plantings had been made. Observations indicated that trees from selected seed sources

grew as fast as loblolly pine. Because eastern white pine

was more resistant than loblolly pine to injury from ice,

snow, and cold, the former species was thought to have

distinct advantages over loblolly pine.

Planting of bare-rooted stock was the typical method

for establishing both species. Direct-seeding of the southern pines had been perfected but had not been tried on

eastern white pine in this region. A test was begun in the

spring of 1959 to determine if direct-seeding of eastern

white pine would be a satisfactory method to convert the

low-quality upland hardwood stands of the plateau to a

more profitable condition; first-year results were reported

by Harrington (1960).

In a final report of the same direct-seeding test at age

4, Russell (1964) stated that “low-yielding, economically

marginal plateau hardwood stands (cross-tie orchards)

could be converted to eastern white pine by direct seeding. Both repellent-coated and untreated seed produced

acceptable stands when broadcast sown on disked sites.

But by reducing seed losses to birds and rodents, the repellents almost doubled the number of surviving seedlings

and significantly improved their distribution.” The characteristics of that direct-seeded plantation at ages 15,25,30,

and 34’ years are summarized in this Research Note.

‘The inventory at age 34 was conducted as an independent study

by the junior author as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

degree of Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources at the University

of the South, Sewanee, TN.
STUDY AREA

The O.Sacre study area lies near the crest of a broad

ridge at an elevation of about 1,880 ft above mean sea

level on the property of the University of the South,

Sewanee, TN. Slope is nearly level, and the area is classified as Landtype 1 (broad undulating sandstone uplands) in the strongly dissected southern subregion of

the Mid-Cumberland Plateau (Smalley 1982). For this

landtype, the estimated site index (base age 50 for natural stands) is as follows: upland oaks (Quercus spp.), 60;

eastern white pine, 75; loblolly pine, 75; shortleaf pine

(F! echinata Mill.), 65; and Virginia pine (I? virginiana Mill.),

70. Comparable site indices (base age 25) for eastern

white pine, loblolly pine, and shortleaf pine plantations

are 52, 50, and 45, respectively.

The soils are primarily the moderately deep Lily and

deep Lonewood series (fine-loamy, siliceous, mesicTypic

Hapludults).These soils are well drained and strongly to

very strongly acid. Fertility is rated moderately low, and

relative soil water supply is moderate.

Before establishment of the study, the area supported

a low-density stand of small sawtimber and pole-sized

trees. Dominant species were scarlet oak (Q. coccinea

Muenchh.), black oak (Q. velutina Lam.), white oak (Q.

alba L.), and hickories (Carya spp.). A fairly dense understory included sourwood [Oxydendrun arboreum

(L.)DC], blackgum (Nyssa syhafica Marsh.), flowering

dogwood (Cornus florida L.), and black locust (Robinia

pseudoacacia L.), and also reproduction of the overstory

species.

METHODS

In mid-March 1959, the study area was lightly disked

with farm equipment for about 1 hour. Disking broke up

the continuous layer of hardwood litter, exposed mineral

soil, and prepared a suitable seedbed with minimal disturbance to the site.

In early April, repellent-coated and uncoated eastern

white pine seeds were mixed with sawdust and handbroadcast at the rate of 10,500 full seeds (about 0.6 lb)

per acre. Each treatment was tested on four O.l-acre

randomly chosen plots 0.5 by 2.0 chains in size. For the

repellent treatment, 0.054 lb of Arasan 75 plus 0.01 lb of

Endrin50W was applied per pound of seeds.The blended

dry chemicals were applied over a latex sticker, and seeds

then were lightly coated with aluminum powder for lubrication. The seeds, all from western North Carolina, were

cold-moist stratified for 17 days before treating and sowing.

The seed lot averaged 95-percent full. Laboratory germination after stratification was 82 percent for untreated

seeds and 81 percent for treated seeds. Normal field

germination under screen-wire cones was 53 percent for

treated and 64 percent for untreated seeds.

In early May, sawtimber and small poles were killed

with 2,4,5-T applied with a tree injector.*The light disking

to prepare the seedbed seldom controlled the small hardwoods, so a basal spray of 2,4,5-T was applied to the

remaining stems larger than about 0.5 inch in diameter.

The test area, which is now (1996) a successful plantation, was remeasured at ages 15, 25, 30, and 34. No

distinction was made between the treated and untreated

plots because no differences in stand structure were

evident (fig. 1).

The surrounding forest had affected the growth and

development of the plantation. Consequently, at age 15,

measurements were made on an interior 0.50 acre of

the original 0.8-acre study area. At ages 25, 30, and 34,

an interior 0.57-acre plot was inventoried.

At all four inventories, a loo-percent diameter tally of

the eastern white pines was made, and total height was

measured on a sample of trees in proportion to the number of trees in each l-inch diameter class. At age 15,

dominants and codominants were assumed to be those

pines in the largest three 1 -inch diameter classes. At ages

25, 30, and 34, crown class was assigned to each pine

measured for height. Site index (base age 25 years from

seed) was determined using the regression developed

for old-field plantations in the Southern Appalachians

(Vimmerstedt 1962).

To determine plot and per-acre yields of pine, the cubic foot volume outside bark, to a 3.0-inch top o.b.

(Vimmerstedt 1962) was calculated for sample trees 2

3.6 inches in d.b.h. and the volumes summed. A volume/

basal area ratio of sample trees was multiplied by the

basal area of the plot (trees 23.6 inches in d.b.h.) and

expanded to a per-acre basis.

At each inventory, all trees 20.6 inches in d.b.h. other

than eastern white pines were tallied by d.b.h. class and

species. At ages 25,30, and 34 these trees were further

assigned to one of two groups: (1) those projecting into

the eastern white pine canopy or (2) those subordinate

to the canopy. At ages 15, 25, and 30, no attempt was

made to determine the cubic volume of the hardwood

component because tree volume and yield regressions

with common predictors and merchantability standards

were lacking. However, at age 34, total height of all trees

in group 1 was measured, and a rough estimate of cubic

*The herbicide 2,4,5-T has been withdrawn from the market by the

Environmental Protection Agency.

2
Figure. 1-A 30-year-old eastern white pine plantation established by direct-seeding on a broad undulating sandstone upland of the Mid-Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. Note the random distribution of the pines and the lack of both shrub and herbaceous strata.

volume was obtained by using a regression for “soft hardwoods” in the Southeast (outside bark to a 4.0-inch top

o.b., all trees 24.6 inches in d.b.h.) (Clark and others

1986; table 110, p. 31).

RESULTS

Eastern White Pine

Survival.-Average stocking of eastern white pine

seedlings at age 4 was 1,650 trees per acre, equivalent

to a spacing of about 5 by 5 f-l (Russell 1964). Survivals

at ages 15,25,30, and 34 were 41,29,28, and 25 percent, respectively, of stocking at age 4 (table 1).

Diameter and Diameter DistributiomAJuadratic

mean diameters at ages 15, 25, 30, and 34 were 3.7,6.5,

7.4, and 8.3 inches, respectively (table 1). At age 15, the

largest pines were in the 8-inch diameter class; at age 25,

in the 13-inch class; at age 30, in the 15-inch class; and at

age 34, in the 16-inch class (table 2). Discrepancies among

diameter distributions were due to the vagaries of establishing and measuring temporary plots over time.

At age 15,41 percent (282 pines) were 23.6 inches in

d.b.h.; none were sawlog size (29.6 inches in d.b.h.) (table

3). At age 25, 78 percent (380 pines) were merchantable, and 12 percent (58 pines) were sawlog size. At age

30, 80 percent (370 pines) were merchantable, and 22

percent (100 pines) were sawlog size. At age 34, comparable values were 88 percent (368 pines) and 30 percent (127 pines), respectively.

Basa/Area.-EIasal areas of pines 20.6 inches in d.b.h.

at ages 15,25,30, and 34 were 50,114,138, and 157

ft2/acre, respectively (table 1). These values represent

mean annual increments of 3.33, 4.56, 4.60, and 4.62

ft*, respectively. Periodic annual increment (p.a.i.) was

6.40 ft* for the decade from ages 16 to 25. For the

quinquennium, ages 26 to 30, p.a.i. was 4.80 ft*; for the

quadrennium, ages 31 to 34, p.a.i. was 4.75 ft*.

Height and Site Index.-Mean heights of all pines at

ages 15, 25, 30, and 34 were 27, 45, 51, and 58 ft, respectively (table 1). Mean annual height growth to age

34 was 1.7 ft and had varied little with age. The p.a.i.

varied from 1.8 to 1.2 to 1.8 ft in the respective lo-, 5-,

and 4-year periods.

Height of dominants and codominants averaged 35,

56, 65, and 76 ft at ages 15,25,30, and 34, respectively

(table l).These values translate to site indices of 56,56,

58, and 63 at the respective ages.

Dominant and codominant pines grew at the annual

rate of 2.24 ft for 34 years. This rate varied less than 0.1

ft after age 15.

3
Live Crown /?atio.+It age 34, height to base of live

crown averaged 32 ft for all pines, an increase of 6 and

10 ft since ages 30 and 25, respectively. A comparable

value for dominants and codominants at age 34 was 36 ft.

At age 34, live crown ratio (LCR) averaged 45 percent

for all pines, a decrease of 4 and 6 percent after ages 30

and 25, respectively (table 1). The comparable LCR of

dominants and codominants at age 34 was 52 percent.

Stand Volume.-At age 15, volume of merchantable

pines was only 596 ft3/acre because just 41 percent of

the pines were of merchantable size (23.6 inches in

d.b.h.) (table 1). In the ensuing decade, many pines grew

to merchantable size, and residuals grew rapidly in height

and diameter; cubic volume increased nearly four fold to

2,607 ft3. In the following quinquennium, the plantation

grew 1,271 ft3; stand volume at age 30 was 4,076 ft3. In

the last quadrennium, the plantation grew 1,151 fts; stand

volume at age 34 was 5,229 ft3.

- Mean annual increment continued to increase and

averaged 154 ft3at age 34. And p.a.i. averaged 221,254,

and 266 ft3 for the decade, quinquennium and quadrennium, respectively.

Table 1 .- Characteristics of a direct-seeded eastern white pine plantation on the Mid-Cumberland Plateau near Sewanee, TN,

at four ages. l

Age

Characteristic 1 5 25 30 34

No. trees per acre

Survival (percent of 1,650

seedlings at age 4)

Quadratic d.b.h. (inches)

Basal area (fP/acre)

Total height (ft)

680

(1,696)+

4 1

(E)

(ii)

2 7

484 465 418

(306) (336) (254)

2 9 2 8 2 5

(E) (1:;) (E)

114 138 157

(31) (33) (37)

4 5 5 1 5 8

Total height .of dominants and

codominants (ft)

Site index (base age 25 years

from seed)

Live crown ratio (percent)

Volume outside bark, all trees

24.6 inches in d.b.h. to

3.0-inch top o.b. (ft3/acre)

3 5 5 6 6 5 7 6

5 6 5 6 5 8 6 3

-2 5 3 4 9 4 5

596 2,807 4,078 5,229

*Data are for all trees 20.6 inch in d.b.h., except data for volume of

merchantable pines.

+Numbers in parentheses represent the hardwood component of

the plantation.

*Not measured.

Hardwood Component

At age 15,1,696 hardwood stems per acre were interspersed among the eastern white pine saplings and

poles, accounting for 19 ft2 of the basal area (tables 1,

2). Slightly more than 50 percent of these stems-see

table 2, “Other hardwoods”-were sassafras [Sassafras

albicfum (Nutt.) Nees] and sumac (Rhus spp.). Hickories

and red oaks each comprised 14 percent; white oaks,

10 percent; yellow-poplar, 6 percent; and black cherry, 4

percent. With the exception of yellow-poplar, all were <

4.6 inches in d.b.h.

In the ensuing decade, yellow-poplar grew rapidly resulting in most of the increase of 12 ft2 in hardwood basal

area. Mortality of oaks, hickories, and “other hardwoods”

exceeded 60 percent; all sumacs died. At age 25, hardwood stems numbered 306 per acre and represented

31 ft2 of the basal area (tables 1,2). Forty-eight percent

of these stems were “other hardwoods,” mostly sassafras, with some red maple (Acer rubrum L.), sourwood,

blackgum, red mulberry (Torus rubra L.), and flowering

dogwood. Yellow-poplar and black cherry accounted for

39 percent and oaks, 12 percent. Many of the yellowpoplars and black cherries, plus a few oaks, were classified as dominants and codominants. Thirty-nine percent

of the hardwoods were 23.6 inches in d.b.h.

At age 30, there were 336 hardwood stems per acre

representing 33 ft2 of basal area (tables 1,2). Dominant

and co-dominant yellow-poplars, black cherries, and oaks

accounted for 21 ft2. Fifty-seven percent of these stems

were “other hardwoods,” mostly sassafras and red maple,

with some blackgum and flowering dogwood.Yellow-poplar and black cherry accounted for 22 and 11 percent,

respectively. Thirty-nine percent of the hardwoods were

23.6 inches in d.b.h.

In the ensuing quadrennium, all hickories and most

small oaks died. At age 34, the hardwood component

numbered only 254 trees per acre, just 15 percent of the

1,696 stems recorded at age 15 (tables 1,2). Hardwood

basal area was 37 ft2, an increase of 4 ft2 after age 30.

Hardwoods constituted 19 percent of the total basal area

of the plantation. Sixty-eight percent (25 ft2) of the hardwood basal area was contributed by only 23 percent of

the hardwoods (42 yellow-poplars, 14 black cherries, 2

chestnut oaks, and 2 red maples) that were classified as

dominants and codominants). And 63 percent of the trees

were “other hardwoods,” mostly sassafras and red maple,

with some blackgum, flowering dogwood, sourwood, and

black locust. The remaining 14 percent of the trees were

intermediate and suppressed poplars, cherries, and oaks.

Forty-six percent of all hardwoods were 23.6 inches in

d.b.h. At age 34, the volume of hardwoods large enough

4
Table 2.- Diameter distribution of a direct-seeded eastern white pine plantation on the Mid-Comber/and Plateau near

Sewanee, TN, at four ages (Discrepancies among diameter distributions are due to vagaries of establishing

and measuring plots over time)

Age 15

Diameter class (inches)

Species 12345678 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 Total

Eastern white pine 110 144

Yellow-poplar 2 6 2 0

Black cherry 1 8 2 2

White oaks+ 112 3 4

Red oaks* 196 3 8

Hickories 230 1 0

Other hardwoods§ 804 6 8

Total 1,496 336

---_______---___________________________------- No. trees per acre -_______-___________----------------------------

144 120 8 8 4 8 2 2 4 --* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 680

3 2 18 4 2 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 102

20 4 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 64

16 4 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 166

4 - - _ _ - - _ _ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ - - 238

- - - - - _ - - _ _ - - _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - - - 240

12 2 _ _ - - _ _ - _ _ _ - - - - - - _ _ - - _ _ -- 886

228 148 92 5 0 2 2 4 _ _ - - _ - _ _ _ _ _ - - _ - - 2,376

Age 25

Eastern white pine - - 3 7 6 7 7 5 5 4 6 0 4 0 5 3 4 0 3 0 1 9 7 2 - - - - - - 484

Yellow-poplar - - 7 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 2 1 2 1 4 2 - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - 8 2

Black cherry _ _ 2 5 14 6 7 2 - - 2 - - - - - - _ _ - - _ _ - - 3 8

White oaksf _ _ 5 14 3 2 - - 2 - - _ - - - - - - - _ - - - _ _ - - 2 6

Red oaks* _ _ 5 3 2 _ _ - - _ _ _ _ _ - - - _ _ - - _ _ - - _ _ - _ 10

Hickories _ _ 2 2 - - _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4

Other hardwoods+ - - 6 3 6 7 7 5 _ _ 4 _ _ _ _ - - _ _ - - _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ 146

Total - - 121 169 113 7 7 7 9 6 0 6 7 4 4 3 0 2 1 7 2 - - - - - - 790

Age 3 0

Eastern white pine

Yellow-poplar

Black cherry

White oakst

Red oaks*

Hickories

Other hardwoods”

Total

4 3 5 5 6 5 6 4 0 5 1 3 9 4 7 3 7 3 7 2 8 2 4 7 2 2 - - 465

2 2 9 1 2 5 5 1 2 9 1 4 2 - - 2 - - - - - - - - 7 4

_ _ 2 3 9 9 7 2 2 _ _ _ _ 2 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 6

_ _ 2 7 4 2 - - 2 - - _ _ - - _ _ - - _ _ - - _ _ - - 17

2 _ - 4 - _ __ __ __ __ -- - _ _ - __ __ _ - __ __ 6

4 4 2 __ _ - __ _ - __ - _ __ - _ __ __ __ __ __ 10

4 6 69 5 0 2 0 6 2 _ _ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ - - _ _ - _ _ _ - - 193

5 8 114 127 105 6 2 6 5 5 5 5 8 5 1 3 9 3 0 2 6 7 2 2 - - 801

Age 3 4

Eastern white pine 3 1 9 2 8 4 9 3 5 5 3 2 8 3 7 3 9 2 5 4 0 2 5 2 5 7 3 2 418

Yellow-poplar - _ _ - 4 5 5 - - 5 9 7 14 7 - _ _ _ - - _ _ - - 5 6

Black cherry _ _ _ _ 2 5 g 3 7 - - _ _ 2 _ _ 2 _ _ - - - _ - - 3 0

Oaks+* _ _ _ - - _ 3 2 - - _ _ 2 - _ - - _ - - - _ _ - - - - - - 7

Other hardwoods** 2 1 6 7 4 2 21 5 3 2 - - _ _ - _ _ _ - _ - _ - - _ _ - - 161

Total 2 4 8 6 7 6 8 3 5 6 5 9 4 2 4 8 4 6 4 1 4 7 2 7 2 5 7 3 2 672

*No trees of that particular species found in that diameter class.

tWhite oak and chestnut oak.

*Scarlet oak and black oak.

§Mostly sassafras; some red maple, sourwood, flowering dogwood, blackgum, red mulberry, and sumac.

“Mostly sassafras, red maple, and blackgum; some flowering dogwood and sourwood.

%hestnut oak and scarlet oak.

**Sassafras, red maple, blackgum, flowering dogwood, sourwood, and black locust.

5 I
Table 3.- Number of merchantable trees in a direct-seeded eastern

white pine plantation on the Mid-Cumberland Plateau near

Sewanee, TN, at four ages by threshold diameter and age

Threshold diameter (inches)

Ace 23.6 24.6 25.6 26.6 27.6 26.6 29.6

Years ___-----___--_____--------No. trees per acre ___--_____-_______________

15 282 162 7 4 2 6 4 -* _ -

2 5 360 305 251 191 151 9 8 5 8

3 0 370 314 274 223 184 137 100

3 4 368 319 284 231 203 166 127

*No trees found in this diameter.

to extend into the eastern white pine canopy was estimated to be 700 ft3/acre.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Site index of eastern white pine was 56 at ages 15

and 25 but increased to 58 and 63 at ages 30 and 34,

respectively. Evidently, height growth of this unthinned,

direct-seeded plantation on the Mid-Cumberland Plateau

exceeded that of unthinned plantations in the Southern

Appalachians originating from bare-rooted seedlings.

The plantation must be considered fully stocked (194

ft2/acre) when both pines (157 ff) and hardwoods (37 ft2)

are included. The distribution of the surviving directseeded pines was not as uniform as if planted. Twentyfive square feet of hardwood basal area was contributed

by just 23 percent of the trees-those that were codominant with the eastern white pines. These hardwoods

became established early and had matched the pines in

height growth. Most of these codominant hardwoods were

desirable species-yellow-poplar and black cherry. In the

future, only the larger hardwoods (poplar, cherry, maple,

and oaks) will remain a dominant part of this eastern

white pine plantation. The subordinate hardwoods will

struggle to survive in the shade of the main canopy.

This direct-seeded plantation has not produced the

cubic volume that planted plantations in the Southern

Appalachians have produced. Using Vimmerstedt’s

(1962) model, appropriate ages, site indices, and a planting density of 1,650 trees per acre, predicted stand volumes (outside bark to a 3.0-inch top o.b., trees 23.6

inches in d.b.h.) were 1,707, 4,543, 5,989, and 8,004 ft3

per acre at ages 15, 25, 30, and 34, respectively. Actual

measured volumes were 596, 2,807, 4,078, and 5,229

fts/acre at those ages. The difference between the predieted and actual volumes increased with age and was

accentuated by the increase in site index in the last

quinquennium. Total stand volume (pines and codominant hardwoods) at age 34 was about 6,000 ft3/acre or

about 75 percent of the estimated yield of eastern white

pine plantations in the Southern Appalachians. A possible reason for the reduced production of this study plantation is the inherently low fertility of the residual plateau

soils compared to the generally more fertile soils of the

Southern Appalachians.

The direct-seeded plantation has not grown as well as

a planted plantation on the property of the University of

the South (Smith and Baird 1979; good plot No. 3,

unthinned). The planted plantation was established on

an old field site that is also classified as Landtype 1

(Smalley 1982). The old field was part of a subsistence

farm abandoned in 1948.The plantation was established

in 1952 at a spacing of 6 by 6 ft using 2-O stock grown

from seeds collected in western North Carolina. At plantation age 27, there were 495 trees per acre (41 -percent

survival); mean quadratic diameter was 8.4 inches, basal

area was 190 ft2/acre, and stand volume (outside bark

to a 3.0-inch top o.b., trees 23.6 inches in d.b.h.) was

4,600 ft3/acre. By comparison, a comparable plantation

in the Southern Appalachians is predicted to have a

merchantable stand volume of 7,353 ft3/acre. Very few

hardwoods had invaded this plantation. Based on an

average height of dominants and codominants of 72 ft,

site index was calculated to be 65 (Vimmerstedt 1962).

The better growth of this planted plantation established

on an old field site compared to the direct-seeded plantation established on a converted site may be due to residual fertility from fertilizing the corn and soybean crops.

At age 34, site index of the direct-seeded plantation

was 11 ft taller than the estimated value of 52 for Landtype

1 (Smalley 1982). Site indices of unthinned and thinned

plantations on a similar site ranged from 60 to 65 (Smith

and Baird 1979). Based on these observations, it is recommended that the site index (base age 25 from seed)

of plantations of eastern white pine on Landtype 1 of the

Mid-Cumberland Plateau be increased to 60. An increase

in the estimated site index of 75 for natural stands of

eastern white pine may be warranted but needs to be

substantiated.

No final answer on the choice of direct-seeding vs.

bare-rooted stock for establishing a plantation can be

made from this single test. However, these data deserve

close study because they show in detail the relative gains

and losses in the numbers of trees and in the growth

and yield of a plantation established by direct seeding

following inexpensive site preparation. Eastern white pine

shows considerable promise as an alternative to mixed

6
oak (Schnur 1937), loblolly pine (Smalley and Bailey

1974a), shortleaf pine (Smalley and Bailey 1974b), or

Virginia pine (Smalley 1985) on Landtype 1 (broad undulating sandstone uplands) and probably other

landtypes of the Mid- and Northern Cumberland Plateau

regions (Smalley 1982, 1986). However, if sawlogs are

the goal of management, then persistent dead limbs will

have to be pruned to produce clear lumber. Seeding or

planting eastern white pine on the Southern Cumberland

Plateau (Smalley 1979) should be approached cautiously.

LITERATURE CITED

Clark, A., III; Saucier, JR.; McNab, W.H. 1986.Total tree

weight, stem weight, and volume tables for hardwood

species in the Southeast. Ga. For. Res. Pap. 60. Macon, GA: Georgia Forestry Commission. 44 p.

Harrington, T.A. 1960. Direct seeding white pine. South.

For. Notes 125. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. [Not paged]

Russell, T.E. 1964. From oak-hickory tie orchards to profitable white pine-by direct seeding. Tree Planters’

Notes. 67: 19-21.

Schnur, G.L. 1937. [reprinted 19611. Yield, stand, and

volume tables for even-aged oak forests.Tech. Bull. 560.

Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 87 p.

Smalley, G.W. 1979. Classification and evaluation of forest sites on the southern Cumberland Plateau. Gen

Tech. Rep. SO-23. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 59 p.

Smalley, G.W. 1982. Classification and evaluation of forest sites on the Mid-Cumberland Plateau. Gen. Tech.

Rep. SO-38. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 58 p.

Smalley, G.W. 1985. Growth of 20-year-old Virginia pine

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Smalley, G.W.; Bailey, R.L. 1974a.Yield tables and stand

structure for loblolly pine plantations in Tennessee,

Alabama, and Georgia highlands. Res. Pap. SO-96.

New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station.

81 p.

Smalley, G.W.; Bailey, R.L. 1974b.Yield tables and stand

structure for shortleaf pine plantations in Tennessee,

Alabama, and Georgia highlands. Res. Pap. SO-97.

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57 p.

Smith, H.W., Jr.; Baird, C.O. 1979. Results of thinning in

a 27-year-old eastern white pine plantation on the

southern Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee. In: Proceedings of a symposium for the management of pines

of the interior South; 1978 November 7-8; Knoxville,

TN. For. Serv. Tech. Publ. SA-TP2. Atlanta, GA: U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Southeastern Area, State

and Private Forestry: 28-47.

Vimmerstedt, J.P. 1962. Southern Appalachian white pine

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are indebted to Thaddeus A. Harrington

(now retired), who planned and installed the original

study, and to Thomas E. Russell, who, after Harrington

transferred, supervised the study until retirement in 1979.

Also acknowledged are the diligence and care exercised

by forest technicians G.Vernon Rollins (deceased), Kenneth Pierce (retired), Donald L. Bivens (retired), and

Charles F Grimes in installing and measuring this study.

7 I
This publication reports research involving pesticides. It does not contain recommendations for their use, nor does it imply that the uses discussed here have been registered.

All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate State and/or Federal agencies

before they can be recommended.

CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants,

and fish or other wildlife-if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides

selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for the disposal of surplus

pesticides and pesticide containers.

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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 communication of

program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA

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To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Washington, DC 20250, or call l-800-245-8340. USDA is an equal employment

opportunity employer.

Southern Research Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,

P.O. Box 2660, Asheville, NC 26602