#=* United States 

Depattment of @ Agriculture Epicormic Branching on 

Forest Service Central Appalachian Hardwoods 

Northeastern Forest 

Experiment Station 10 Years P;fter Deferment Cutting 

Research Paper NE-702 

Gary W. Miller 
Abstract 

There is an increased risk of epicormic branching for some commercial hardwoods 

when tree boles are suddenly exposed by heavy cutting treatments. Tree quality 

am1 value can be greatly reduced if such branches form and persist along the 

lower log sections of the tree. Epicormic branching was monitored over a 10-year 

period following deferment cutting in four central Appalachian hardwood stands in 

West Virginia. The cutting treatments left 12 to 15 mature treedacre and allowed 

sunlight to reach tree boles for several years until hardwood reproduction 

developed beneath the residual overstory. Data from 545 codominant residual 

trees indicated that the average number of epiwrmic branches on the butt and 

second 16-foot log sections increased for the first 2 years after treatment. For 

upper log sections of northern red oak and black cherry, new branches continued 

to form from the second to the tenth year. The net effect on quality was that 11 

percent of residual trees exhibited a reduction in bun-log grade due to epicormic 

branching. Trees with epicormic branches before treatment later had more grade 

reductions due to new epiwrmic branches than trees with clear boles before 

treatment. Of the few grade reductions observed, white oak, northern red oak, and 

black cherry were the most susceptible. Less than 1 percent of yellow-poplar trees 

had lower grades due to epicormic branching. Results are tabulated by species, 

&foot log sections, and time period. Recommendations are made for selecting 

residual trees to maintain stand quality. 

-- 

The Author 

GARY W. MILLER is a research forester with the sustainable forest ecosystems 

project at the Northeastem Forest Experiment Station's limber and Watershed 

Laboratory at Parsons, West Virginia. He earned BSF and MSF degrees in forest 

management from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. degree in forest 

management from Virginia Polytechnic InstiMe and State University. He has 

conducted research on silviculture and managemenl of central Appalachian 

hardwoods since joining the USDA Forest Service in 1981. 

Manuscript received for publication 8 August 1995 

Cover Photo: Deferment cutting treatments left 12 to 15 mature dominant trees 

per acre. 

Published by: For additional copies: 

USDA FOREST SERVICE USDA Forest Service 

5 RADNOR CORP CTR SUITE 200 Publications Distribution 

RADNOR PA 19087-4585 359 Main Road 

Delaware. OH 43015 

March 1996 
Introduction 

Deferment cutting in central Appalachian hardwoods is 

designed to regenerate a variety of hardwood species and to 

maintain a two-age stand structure for esthetic, wildlife 

habitat, and other nontimber benefits. Such stands resemble 

those managed using the seed-tree method except that in 

deferment practices, overstory trees are retained for many 

years, perhaps until new reproduction matures to rotation 

age (Fig. 1). Immediately after logging, residual tree crowns 

are essentially free to grow and tree boles are exposed to 

direct sunligM for several years until new hardwood 

reproduction develops and begins to shade the lower logs. 

There is an increased risk of epicormic branching for some 

Appalachian hardwoods when suddenly exposed by 

relatively heavy cutting treatments (Trimble and Seegrist 

1973). Most epicormic branches develop from suppressed 

aaxtssory buds that originated at the nodes of each year's 

growth. The formation of secondary suppressed buds 

continues after lateral branches succumb to natural pruning, 

thus perpetuating the risk of epicormic branching at any 

position on the tree bole (Kormanik and Bmwn 1969). Such 

buds are suppressed until the quantity or distribution of 

auxins produced by the tree is altered by a change in ligM. 

temperature, nutrients, or moisture (Bowersox and Ward 

1968). The conditions for the development of suppressed 

buds usually mur following disturbances such as fire or a 

reduction in stand density. 

Research has indicated that the development of new 

epicormic branches is related to aspect of the growing site. 

species, crown position. stand density, position on the tree 

bole, and probably genetic variation within a species. The 

number of new epicormic branches is greater for trees 

growing on south and west slopes (Clark 1955). Oaks. black 

cherry, and basswood are more likely to develop new 

epicormics than yellow-poplar, beech, maples, and white ash 

(Trimble and Seegrist 1973). Intermediate and overtopped 

trees develop more epicormics than those in dominant or 

codominant trees (Brinkman 1955; Smith 1965). Greeter 

reductions in stand density lead to more epicormics 

(Wahlenberg 1950; Ward 1966). The number of epicormics 

increases with the height above ground (Smith 1965; 

Trimble and Seegrist 1973). Individual trees tend to develop 

new epicormics in proportion to the number of branches 

present before treatment, implying Mat genetics plays a key 

role within species (Ward 1966). 

Epicormic branches can reduce tree quality and may have a 

detrimental impact on stand health. Persistent branches 

result in knots and other defects that reduce the value of 

wood pmducts available from the tree. Even short-lived 

branches serve as potential sites for insect attack or disease 

Figure l.-After deferment cutting in central Appalachian hardwoods, the residual stand included 13 

high-quality, codominant trees per acre; residual basal area averaged 20.3 ftzlacre. 
that may lead to discoloration of underlying wood or reduce 

tree vigor and volume growth (Kormanik and Brown 1969). 

Deferment cutting is a relatively new silvicuitural practice in 

the United States. Forest managers considering this method 

need information on potential changes in log quality as an 

aid in selecting residual trees. This report summarizes the 

development of epicormic branches on residual white oak, 

chestnut oak, northern red oak, yellow-poplar, black cherry, 

and basswood for a 10-year period after deferment cutting. 

Preliminary recommendations are provided to clarify the 

criteria for selecting residual deferment trees. 

Methods 

Deferment cutting was applied in four central Appalachian 

hardwood stands between 1979 and 1983. Study areas are 

located in northcentral West Virginia. The tmraphy 

consists of low valleys dissected by northeast-southwest 

ridges. Elevations range from 1,8W to 3.600 feet above sea 

level. In general, soils are medium textured and well drained, 

derived from sandstone shale with occasional limestone 

influence. The average soil depth exceeds 3 feet. Annual 

precipitation averages 59 inches and is well distributed 

throughout the year. The gming season averages 145 

frost-free days. 

The initial stands were unmanaged, second-growth 

Appalachian hardwoods wlh an average age of 75 years 

that became established after heavy logging in the early 

1900's. Periodic fire was common throughout the local area 

as the stands became established. Chestnut blight also 

killed some large trees during the i93O's and resulted in 

patchy reproduction before and during Workl War II. Forest 

types included awe and Allegheny hardwoods, and oakhickory. Stand size ranged from 10 to 15 acres. 

The goal in each stand was a residual basal area of 20 ft21 

acre composed of mature, codominant trees. Once residual 

trees were selected, merchantable sawtimber was removed 

and all stems 1.0 inch and larger in diameter at breast height 

' (d.b.h.) were cut For the four study areas, this entailed 

leaving 12 to 15 treeslam; the actual residual basal area 

ranged from 17 to 24 Wlacre. 

In general, residual trees were selected to retain the 

highest value sawtimber or veneer products with the 

highest potential for long-term survival. A characteristic of 

deferment cutting is that residual trees are retained for 

relatively long periods, up to the length of a sawtimber 

rotation (80 years for Appalachian hardwoods). An 

important guideline used during marking was to avoid 

0 Risk: no evidence of disease, shallow roots, or low forks 

0 Quality: current or potential high butt-log grades 

0 Vigor: no evidence of low or declining vigor 

Spacing: crown release on three or four sides. 

During marking, each tree was examined closely to detect 

evidence of stress, for example, insect attack or epiwrmic 

branches. 

Species, d.b.h., crown class, butt-log grade (Hanks 1976), 

and number of epicormic branches were recorded for each 

deferment tree before logging. Deferment trees were 

reexamined after logging to assess damage to boles and 

crown branches due to felling and skidding. Live epicormic 

branches at least 1 foot long were counted by 8-foot bole 

section to a height of 33 feet before logging, and 2, 5, and 

10 years after logging. Butt-log grade was determined 

before logging and 10 years after logging. Changes in 

grade were attributed to d.b.h. growth, surface defects, 

epicormic branches, or deductions for rot. 

The effect of species on the number of epicormic branches 

was tested by analysis of variance, and the effect of log 

position and time period within a species was tested using 

paired t-tests. Chi-square analysis was used to test for the 

interaction of initial number of epicormics and the 

development of new epiwrmics by assigning trees to one of 

two pretreatment groups and one of four posttreatment 

groups. Changes in butt-log grade over the 10-year study 

period also were analyzed by a chi-square procedure to 

detect differences in grade distribution resulting from 

deferment cutting. 

Epicormic branching on 545 trees was observed over the 

10-year study period. Data were analyzed to detect 

differences in the number of epicormics by species, log 

position, and time period. Data also were used to determine 

the effect of new epicormic branches on tree quality as 

measured by butt-log grade. Finally, butt-log grade 

distributions before and 10 years after deferment cutting 

were developed for each species to clarify the impact of 

epicormic branching on residual stand quality. 

The effect of crown position was not tested in this study. 

Previous research has shown that trees in lower crown 

classes have more epicarmics before (Brinkman 1955) and 

after cutting (Trimble and Seegrist 1973; Smith 1965; 

Wahlenberg 1950). This information was used in defining 

criteria for selecting residual trees in this study; thus, all 

trees were ~0d0mi~nt before deferment cutting was 

applied. 

selecting high-risk trees that ai pmne to die or exhibit 

reductions in oualitv or viaor if allowed to am for relativelv Results 

" - 

long periods in a free-to-grow position. In general, residual trees developed few epicarmic branches 

after deferment cmng. For all species combined, the 

In each stand residual trees were chosen using: number of ep'cormic branches increased by 1.28 on the butt 

lag and 4.48 on the second log (Table 1). The development 

0 Crown dass: codominant of new branches differed by time period, lag position, and 

Species: oaks, black cherty, and yellow-poplar species. 
Table 1.-Average number of epiwrmlc branches by species, log position, and time perlod after deferment 

cutting in central Appalachian hardwoods 

Number Average Inclusive Time period 

Species of trees d.b.h. log section Initial 2 year 5 year 10 year 

Whiie oak 

Chestnut oak 

Red oak 

Yellow-poplar 

Black cherry 

Basswood 

All species 

Inches Feet - -- --- ---- ---- -- Number of branches------------- 

59 14.4 25-33 1.09 4.48' 4.63 5.07 

17-25 0.78 3.81. 3.68 3.83 

9-17 0.56 2.42. 1.76 2.05 

1-9 0.09 1.29. 1.05 0.56 

12 14.4 25-33 0.50 2.17 2.75 1.50 

17-25 0.00 0.75 0.58 0.50 

9-1 7 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

1-9 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

200 16.7 25-33 0.42 2.14. 2.72 3.65' 

17-25 0.20 1.85- 1.91 2.75. 

9-17 0.03 1.28- 1.33 1.35 

1-9 0.00 0.44. 0.35 0.28 

190 17.8 25-33 0.12 0.51- 0.57 0.75. 

17-25 0.01 0.18. 0.24 0.32 

9-17 0.01 0.20. 0.18 0.20 

1-9 0.00 0.40. 0.17 0.06 

1-9 0.01 0.62. 0.45 0.29 

"Signifkant increase in number of epicormic branches compared to previous time period by half-log sections (Pc0.01). 

Development of New Epicormics 

Except for chestnut oak, there was a significant increase in 

the average number of epicormics for each species and halflog section for the first 2 years afler deferment culling (TaMe 

1). Between year 2 and 5, the number of epicormics on 

upper log sections continued to increase, though only black 

cherry and basswood had signifkant increases. Between 

year 5 and 10, epicormics on upper log sections of black 

cherry, yellow-poplar, and red oak continued to increase 

significantly. However, butt-logs (1 to 17 feet above ground) 

showed no significant change from year 2 to 10 for all 

species. Regeneration developing beneath the deferment 

trees provided shade for the butt 16-foot log by year 5. By 

age 10, the second 16-foot log also was shaded, reducing 

the risk of new branching (Miller and Schuler 1995). 

Upper logs developed more epicormics than lower logs. For 

all study trees, a paired t-test indicated that the average 

number of branches on the second 16-foot log was greater 

than on me butt log both before (t=7.119, 544 df, p c 0.001) 

and after (k15.759) the study period. Note that the 

difference in the number of branches between log sections 

increased after deferment cutting, and was consistent within 

individual species and within half-log sections (Table 1). The 

relationship between log position and branching frequency 

has been observed in uncut stands (Auchmoody 1972) and 

following cutting treatments (Wahlenberg 1950; Smith 1965). 
The number of epicormics also was related to species. 

Even though care was taken to avoid selecting trees with 

existing epicormics, white oak deferment trees had more 

branches on upper and lower log sections before treatment 

than other species (Table 2). The susceptibility of white 

oaks to develop more epicormics wmpared to other 

species has been observed in uncut stands (Brinkman 

1955) and after reductions in tree density (Trimble and 

Seegrist 1973; Smith 1966; Ward 1966). After 10 years, 

whiie oak, black cherry, and basswood had more 

epiwrmics on the butt log than chestnut oak, red oak, and 

yellow-poplar. On the sewnd log, yellow-poplar and 

chestnut oak had fewer epiwrmics than other species after 

10 years. 

Trees were assigned to categories according to the number 

of epicormic branches that were present on the butt and 

second 16-foot logs before and 10 years after treatment 

(Table 3). There were two categories before treatment (0, 

and 1 or more) and four categories 10 years after treatment 

(0-4, 5-6, 9-12, and 13 or more). Chi-square analysis of the 

resulting distributions indicated that trees with epicormics 

before treatment developed more new epicormics than trees 

that had none before treatment. For second logs of white 

oak, red oak, and yellow-poplar, and butt logs of white oak. 

the statistical difference was significant (p < 0.001). 

Changes in Butt-Log Grade 

For the 16 trees that had at least one epicormic branch on 

the butt log before treatment, a relatively high proportion (36 

percent) had reduced grades due to new epicormics. Only 

10 percent of trees with clear butt logs before treatment 

were later degraded. Of nine white oaks with at least one 

branch before treatment, five (56 percent) later had reduced 

grades due to new epiwrmics (Table 3). By wntrast. of 50 

white oaks with no branches before treatment, only 9 (18 

percent) had reduced grade. For other species, the 

relationship between existing and new branches on the butt 

log wuld not be tested because few sample trees had 

epicormics on the butt log before treatment. However, the 

presence of epicormics on the second log before treatment 

also was an indicator of potential degrade on the butt log 

after treatment (Fig. 2). For all species combined, 20 

percent of trees with epiwrmics on the second log before 

treatment later had reduced grades due to new epicormics 

on the butt log. For trees with no branches on the second 

log before treatment, only 9 percent were later degraded 

(Table 3). 

Residual trees were selected partly on the basis of their 

current high quality or potential to attain high quality with 

additional diameter growth. As a result, most trees had 

attained their highest potential grade, limited only by d.b.h., 

before deferment cutting was applied. Grade rules require 

that to qualify for butt-log grades 1, 2, and 3, individual 

trees must have a minimum d.b.h. of 16, 14, or 12 inches, 

respectively (Hanks 1976). Before treatment. 6 percent of 

the deferment trees were less than maximum grade due to 

surface defects other than epiwrmics, and deductions for 

sweep, crook, and rot. None of the study trees had reduced 

butt-log grade due to epicormic branching before treatment. 

After the 10-year study period, 8 percent of the deferment 

trees were less than maximum grade due to surface 

defects other than epicormics, or deductions for sweep, 

crook, and rot. New epiwrmic branches accounted for 

grade reductions on 11 percent of residual trees, led by 

black cherry, basswood, and white oak (Table 4). Of 200 

red oaks, 24 (12 percent) had reduced grades due to new 

epicormics. Although the sample included only 12 chestnut 

oaks, none were degraded by epicormics. Yellow-poplar 

quality was vi~tually unchanged by epiwrmics, verifying 

results from previous research (Smith 1977). 

Of the few trees (11 percent) that were degraded by new 

epicormic branches, most trees lost two or more grades. For 

all species wmbined, 3 percent dropped one grade, 7 

percent dropped two grades, and 1 percent dropped below 

sawlog quality. This trend was wnsistent for all species: 

more than 70 percent of the degraded trees lost two or more 

grades. 

Table 2.4tatistIcal summary for average number of epicormic branches before and 10 years 

after deferment cutting on the butt and second 16-foot logs 

Butt 16-foot loo .. -- 

Species Initial 10 years 

----Number of branchesWhite oak 0.644aa 2.610a 

Chestnut oak 0.OOOb 0.000b 

Red oak 0.030b 1.620b 

Yellow-poplar 0.01 1 b 0.2636 

Black cherry 0.000b 2.576a 

Basswood 0.111b 2.689a 

Second 16-foot log 

Initial 10 years 

----Number of branches1 B64a 8.898a 

Od00b 2.000b 

0.615b 6.385a 

0.132b l.lllb 

0.061 b 8.288a 

0.500b 7.500a 

.Values in columns followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P > 0.01) using 

Tukey-Kramer HSD. 
Table 3.--Number and proportion of trees that developed new eplcormic branches 10 years after 

deferment cutting by species, log poritlon, and initial number of branches 

-- 

Initial Number of new eoicormics Butt-loo " 

Inclusive Epiwrrnics Trees 0-4 5-8 9-12 >12 grade Species log section reduceda 

White oak 

Chestnut oak 

Red oak 

Yellow-poplar 

Black chew 

Basswood 

All species 

. . . . . . . . 

'Due to epicormics. 

bPercentage in parenthesis. 

=Number of new epicormics related to initial number of epicormics using x2 P c 0.01. 

Table 4.--Change in butt-log grade 10 years after deferment cutting by species 

Species 

White oak 

Chestnut oak 

Red oak 

Yellow-poplar 

Black cherly 

Basswood 

All species 

Change in butt-log grade 

Number Averaqe .Grade loss 

of trees d.b.h. Reduced None improved due to epiwrmics 

Inches .----.---.--.---.---..--.--.~~~b~~ Of trees59 14.4 16 (27)' 22 (37) 21 (36) 14 (24) 

12 14.4 1 (8) 2 (17) 9 (75) o 

200 16.7 25 (12) 103 (52) 72 (36) 24 (12) 

190 17.8 9 (5) 137 (72) 44 (23) 2 (1) 

66 14.2 14 121) 24 136) 28 (42) 15 123) 

*Percentage in parenthesis. 
Percent of trees degraded by new branches 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 White oak Red oak Yellow-poplar Basswood All species 

Species 

Figure 2.--Percentage of residual trees degraded due to new epicormic branches 10 years after 

deferment cutting by species and number of branches visible on the second 16-foot log before 

treatment. 

Table 5.-ButtJog grade distrlbutlons before and 10 years after deferment cutting 

Butt-loa orade 

White oak 59 

Chestnut oak 12 

Red oak 200 

Yellow-poplar 190 

Black cherty 66 

Basswood 18 

Number Time Average Below 

Species of trees period d.b.h. 2 3 grade X2 P 

------.--.---------Number of tree* -.----.---.------- 

Initial 14.4 

10-year 

lnitial 14.4 

10-year 

lnitial 16.7 

10-year 

lnitial 17.8 

10-year 

lnitial 14.2 

10-year 

Initial 15.1 6 1331 8 1441 4 1221 0 5.518 0.063 

10-year 13 i72j 3 ii7j 2 i~ij o 

All species 545 Initial 16.2 273 (50) 122 (22) 125 (23) 25 (5) 48.060 0.000 

10-year 381 (70) 87 (1 6) 68 (1 2) 9 (2) 

.Percentage in parenthesis. 
For each species there was a net improvement in treequality distribution over the 10-year study period even 

though some trees were degraded by epiwrmic branching 

(Table 5). Most grade improvements were the result of 

increasing d.b.h.. that is, good trees qualifying for a higher 

grade because size no longer was a limiting factor. The 

number of red oaks with grade 1 butt logs increased from 50 

to 71 percent over the study period. Yellow-poplar had 

similar improvements, from 69 to 90 percent. Other species 

had less dramatic improvements, and for basswood the 

improvement was not significant (p = 0.06), probably 

because the sample was small. 

Discussion 

Deferment trees in this study were selected based on the 

likelihood for long-term survival, and a low risk of developing 

epicormic branches and other problems related to sudden 

exposure after treatment. Based on previous research 

results, trees with the tendency to develop new epiwrmics 

(based on species risk, lower crown position, or presence of 

existing branches) were considered unsuitable as residual 

deferment trees. In short, residual trees in this study were 

those expected to have the lowest risk of developing new 

epicormic branches of ail available trees at the time of 

deferment cutting. Thus, the results reported here indicate a 

best-case scenario for mature central Appalachian 

hardwoods after deferment cutting. 

General trends observed in this study are consistent with 

previous research on epicormic branching following 

reductions in stand stocking. The number of new epiwrmic 

branches was related to species, log position, and time 

period. White oak, black cherry, and basswood formed 

more new branches on the butt log than other species. 

Chestnut oak and yellow-poplar formed fewer new 

branches than other species on the sewnd 16-foot log. In 

general, upper logs formed more epicormics than lower 

logs. Most new branches formed in the first 2 years after 

treatment, though new branches continued to form on black 

cherry, red oak, and yellow-poplar upper logs for the 10- 

year study period. 

Trees resistant to epicormic branching usually are those of 

the highest current quality and value. Leaving such trees 

may reduce current harvest revenues. However, leaving 

poor-quality trees and cutting better trees may increase 

current revenues. but quality loss in residual trees due to 

serious epicormic branching may result in greater long-term 

losses in revenues. Loss of a butt log grade can have a 

dramatic influence on tree value depending on species. For 

example, a red oak 24 inches d.b.h. with three 16-foot logs 

loses about 30 percent of its value for each grade reduction 

(Table 6). Leaving the most vigorous trees can minimize 

future value loss due to grade reductions resulting from 

epicormic branching. 

While other studies examined trees that were partially 

exposed after treatment, this study was based on residual 

trees left free to grow with an average crown growing space 

of 20 feet to adjacent wdominant trees and no residual 

trees in subordinate crown classes to shade lower logs. 

Although environmental conditions after treatment were 

suitable for the development of new epicormics, proper 

selection of residual trees prevented serious reductions in 

residual tree quality. On the basis of trends observed in this 

study, codominant trees of several wrnmercial species can 

withstand heavy reductions in tree density that result from 

deferment cutting or similar two-age regeneration practices 

without a significant loss of stem quality due to epicormic 

branching. The key is to choose trees that show no evidence 

of stress or dedining vigor prior to the cut, as indicated by 

weaker crown position or the presence of epiwrmics. If 

maintaining residual tree quality is a concern, the order of 

priority in selecting residuals is: yellow-poplar, chestnut oak, 

red oak, black cherry, basswood, and white oak. Trees with 

no epicorrnics on either the butt or second 1Gloot log are 

preferred to minimize the risk of butt-log degrade after 

deferment cutting (Fig. 3). 

Key findings of this study are summarized as follows: 

0 For all species, the average number of epiwrmic 

branches on the bun and second 16-foot log section 

increased significantly for the first 2 years after treatment; 

butt logs showed no significant change from year 2 to 10. 

0 For black cherry and red oak, the number of epicorrnic 

branches on the sewnd 16-foot log continued to increase 

from year 2 to 10. 

0 Of 545 sample trees, 58 (1 1 percent) had reduced buttlog grades due to new epiwrrnic branches that developed 

after deferment cutting; 3 percent dropped one grade, 7 

percent dropped two grades, and 1 percent dropped below 

sawlog quality. 

0 Most of the trees that were degraded by new epiwrmic 

branches dropped two or more grades as measured by 

Hanks (1976). 

0 Yellow-poplar maintained high quality; only 1 percent of 

residual trees had reduced bun-log grade due to new 

branches. 

0 Other species were more susceptible to reduced bunlog grade: white oak (24 percent), black cherry (23 percent), 

northem red oak (12 percent). 

0 Trees with epiwrmic branches before treatment 

developed more new branches and had more grade 

reductions than trees with none before treatment. 
Figure 3.-To minimize potential reductions in quality and value, choose residual trees that have no 

epiwrmic branches before treatment. 

Miller, Gary W. 1996. Epicormic branching on central Appalachian hardwoods 

10 years after deferment cutting. Res. Pap. NE-702. Radnor, PA: U.S. 

Depaltment of Agriculture, Forest Setvice, Northeastern Forest Experiment 

Station. 9 p. 

Epiwrmic branching was monitored over a 10-year period following deferment 

cutting in four central Appalachian hardwood stands in West Virginia. Data from 

545 codominant residual trees indicated that the average number of epiwrmic 

branches on the butt and second 1Sfoot log sections increased significantly for 

the first 2 years after treatment. For upper log sections of basswood, northern 

red oak, and black cherry, significant increases continued from the second to the 

tenth year. The net effect on quality was that 11 percent of residual trees 

exhibited a reduction in butt-log grade due to epicornlic branching. Of the few 

grade reductions observed, white oak, northern red oak, and black cherry were 

the most susceptible. Less than 1 percent of yellow-poplar trees had lower 

grades due to epiwrmic branching. 

I Keywords: epicormic branching, two-age management, deferment cutting 

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