United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Forest Service 

Northeastern Forest 

Experiment Station 

Research Paper 

NE-581 

Allegheny Hardwood Regeneration 

Response to Even-age Harvesting Methods 

John C. 

Russell 

Bjorkbom 

S. Walters 
The Authors 

John C. Bjorkbom was a research forester with the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station's Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Warren, Pennsylvania. He 

retired in 1982. 

Russell S. Walters is a research forester with the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station's Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Warren, Pennsylvania. He has 

been engaged in research on the regeneration of Allegheny hardwoods since 

1982. 

Manuscript received for publication 4 September 1985 

Abstract 

Allegheny hardwood regeneration response to block clearcutting, alternate 

strip clearcutting, and two-cut shelterwood, and in an uncut control was compared. 

Stand regeneration success was evaluated 5 years after harvest. Clearcutting 

resulted in high mortality of advance regeneration. Thus, regeneration by block 

clearcutting was not successful, though both alternate strip clearcutting harvests 

were successful. The first cut of the shelterwood established new seedlings but did 

not stimulate growth. Regeneration level increased from inadequate to adequate 

and remained so after the final harvest. New seedlings appeared in the control 

after each seed crop, but few survived. Fenced seedlings grew taller in all harvest 

areas. 

Contents 

Study Area .......................................................................................................... 1 

Regeneration ....................................................................................................... 2 

Seed production .................................................................................................. 2 

Environmental factors ......................................................................................... 2 

Cutting methods .................................................................................................. 3 

Analysis of Data .................................................................................................... 3 

Results and Discussion .......................................................................................... 3 

Logging mortality ............................................................................................. 3 

Environmental factors .......................................................................................... 4 

Effect of seed source .......................................................................................... 5 

Initial regeneration differences ............................................................................ 5 

Effect of treatment on the total number of stems ............................................. 5 

Effect of treatment on regeneration stocking - - ...................................................... 7 

Effect of treatment on stem height ..................................................................... 8 

Effect of fencing 9 Cover photo-Fencing to prevent .................................................................................................. Old versus new seedlings .................................................................................. 9 deer browsing abwed seedlings to grow 

Herbaceous covers ............................................................................................. 9 taller. Also, regeneration stocking inSummary and Conclusions ..................................................................................... 1 2v2 , $re sed with a greater proportion of de- I&, Literature cited ....................................................................................................... $2 *' : sir le species. 

kzy >. , ' ' " <;; ;' ': " f 3: *", (8 '"1 3 .-. ** 

+, &.<* $ &, ,, " , . =.. a .,*h "& d&J &,J ; *; 3 *[ ~ .;, 4i! $-x*4-'#::, 8 1 ,., --' ,e .: t 4 'a. ' 'J T 
I 

I The Allegheny hardwood forest consists primarily of 

black cherry, red maple, sugar maple, and beech.' Associated species include white ash, yellow-poplar, sweet and 

yellow birch, cucumbertree, and hemlock. Many of these 

species demand light, and some form of even-age silviculture is essential for their regeneration. In the past, this usually meant block clearcutting. I 

Block clearcutting regenerates relatively large areas 

when advance regeneration of desired species is adequate. 

However, advance seedlings are too few or too small in I more than two-thirds of all Allegheny hardwood stands 

(Marquis and Bjorkbom 1982). Clearcutting removes the 

seed source and provides a harsh environment for the germination and survival of seeds stored in the forest floor. 

Seed dispersal from adjacent areas is often inadequate. 

Thus in the absence of advance regeneration, other evenage silvicultural systems, such as shelterwood cutting or I 

I alternate strip clearcutting, may be more appropriate. 

We studied the effects of these three cutting methods 

on the survival and growth of advance seedlings and on the 

establishment and growth of seedlings appearing after cutting. We observed solar radiation, soil moisture, and surface 

temperature of the forest floor. Also, we noted changes in 

herbaceous vegetation and determined the impact of deer 

browsing on tree reproduction by fencing some plots. Both 

the shelterwood and alternate strip clearcutting methods I provided a less harsh environment and successfully regenerated the stands. Fencing in all treatments protected seed- ! lings from browsing, resulting in taller seedlings. 

Study Area 

I 

1 This study was on the Kane Experimental Forest in 

northwestern Pennsylvania. The site is on unglaciated, relatively uniform terrain of the Allegheny Plateau at an elevation of 1,900 feet. 

The block clearcutting treatment occupied a 25.6-acre 

area (16.0 chains by 16.0 chains) on upper flat and midslope positions. Slope averaged 14 percent on a 255 degree 

aspect. The soils belong to the Hazelton (coarse loamy, 

mixed, mesic Typic Dystrochrepts) and Cookport (fine 

loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Fragiudults) series. These soils, 

formed in place from the underlying bedrock, have loam 

to silt loam textures throughout their profiles and range from 

well to moderately well drained. Dormant season perched 

water tables occur only at depths exceeding 2 feet. 

The shelterwood treatment area covered 6.4 acres (8.0 

chains by 8.0 chains) on upper flat and midslope positions. 

Slope was 13 percent and aspect 194 degrees. The soils 

here are very similar to those found in the block clearcut. 

'Scientific names of species referred to in this report are listed at 

the end of this paper. 

The alternate strip clearcutting area totaled 3.2 acres 

among four adjacent strips, each 1.0 chain wide and 8.0 

chains long. The strips were oriented in a NorthwestSoutheast direction in the upper flat position with a 6 percent 

slope and a 246 degree aspect. Soils in this treatment are 

loams and silt loams and belong almost exclusively to the 

Cookport series. They range from moderately well to somewhat poorly drained. Mottling is quite variable. The dormant 

season water table occurs at depths between 6 and 24 

inches. They are slightly wetter than the soils in the other 

plots. 

An uncut control area of 6.4 acres (8.0 chains by 8.0 

chains) on the upper flat had a 9 percent slope and 134 

degree aspect. Soil textures are principally loams and silt 

loams, rarely sandy loam. Mottling was not observed in the 

first 2 feet of the soil. Soils in this treatment are generally 

similar to those in the block clearcut and shelterwood treatment plots. 

All areas supported fully stocked stands of Allegheny 

hardwoods ranging in relative stand density from 98 to 104 

percent. However, species compositions were not similar 

and total basal area amounts differed by as much as 35 

square feet (Table 1). The basal area of the block clearcut 

stand totaled 44 square feet per acre with 44 percent in red 

maple, 27 percent in beech, and only 9 percent in black 

cherry. In the alternate strip clearcutting area, the total basal 

area per acre of 162 square feet was principally black cherry 

(40 percent) with equal amounts (22 percent) of red maple 

and sugar maple. The total basal area in the sheltewood 

area was 153 square feet per acre with 52 percent in red 

maple and 29 percent divided about equally between black 

cherry and beech. In the uncut control stand, four speciesbeech, birch, red maple, and sugar maple-accounted for 81 

percent of the total basal area (127 square feet). The proportions among those species were roughly similar, ranging 

from 23 percent beech to 17 percent sugar maple. Black 

cherry accounted for only 7 percent. 

Advance regeneration varied considerably among the 

treatment areas. Black cherry regeneration was particularly 

abundant in the alternate strip clearcutting area, which also 

had the greatest amount of black cherry in the overstory. 

Red maple seedlings were most abundant in the strip clearcut and shelterwood. Beech was generally quite evenly 

distributed. Other principal species present were sugar maple and hemlock (Table 1). 

Logging to create the block clearcutting, strip clearcutting, and shelterwood treatments began in November 1973 

and was completed in January 1974. Subsequently, the 

shelterwood residual stand and the alternate, previously uncut, strips were then clearcut during May and June 1979. 

To determine the regeneration and environmental effects of 

these cutting methods, we observed and measured the 

advance regeneration, the regeneration that developed after 

cutting, seed production, soil moisture, surface temperature 

of the forest floor, solar radiation, herbaceous vegetation, 

and browsing by deer. 
Table 1 .-Selected pretreatment characteristics of the overstory 

(1972) and the regeneration (Spring 1973) by treatment 

Characteristic Block Alternate strip Shelterwood Control 

clearcut 

Area, acres 25.6 3.2 6.4 6.4 

Relative stand 

density (percent) 104 100 100 98 

Median stand diameter' 12.7 13.9 13.3 11.0 

Basal arealacre (ft2) 

Black cherry 13 64 23 9 

Sugar maple 9 36 14 22 

Red maple 64 36 80 26 

Birch 7 2 4 26 

Beech 39 14 2 1 29 

Hemlock 8 10 10 <1 

Other - 4 0 - 1 15 

Total 144 162 153 127 

Regeneration: 

Percent stocking 21 84 48 8 

Stemslacre ( x 1000) 

Black cherty 7.5 141.0 17.6 1.8 

Red maple 7.9 21 .O 22.5 2.4 

Beech 3.6 2.8 2.4 2.4 

Other 0.5 1.8 

Total 19.5 166.6 

'Diameter at the midpoint of the stand basal area. 

Regeneration 

For estimating the amount of regeneration, we established a pair of 6-foot-radius plots at each of 24 randomly 

located sampling points in the block clearcut area, at 20 

sampling points in each of the shelterwood and control 

areas, and at 10 sample points in each of the four alternate 

cut strips. To evaluate the impact of browsing by deer, one 

plot in each pair was fenced. 

A 1.25-chain-wide isolation area surrounding the regeneration sampling area minimized the influence of the adjacent uncut stand on seedling establishment and 

development in the block clearcutting and shelterwood treatments. However, in the alternate strip clearcutting area, we 

did not leave an isolation area around the regeneration sampling plots because the shading and seed source effects of 

adjacent uncut areas are essential attributes of strip clearcutting. 

Regeneration inventories were made for each area in 

the spring of 1973, and at the end of each growing season 

from 1973 through 1976, and again in 1978. In addition, the 

regeneration in the shelterwood, alternate strip, and control 

areas was also inventoried in 1984. Seedlings were recorded by species and by height class as less than 1 foot, 1 

to 3 feet, 3 to 5 feet, and greater than 5 feet. To aid in interpreting the effects of treatment, the species occurring in 

this study were further classified as desirable, commercial, 

and noncommercial. Desirable species include black cherry, 

sugar maple, red maple, cucumbertree, and yellow-poplar. 

Commercial species include beech, birch (yellow and 

sweet), and hemlock in addition to the desirable species. 

Noncommercial species are principally pin cherry and striped 

maple, but also include serviceberry and eastern hophornbeam. 

Based on these inventory data, the 6-foot-radius regeneration plots were classed as stocked or not stocked. To 

be stocked before the final harvest, a plot must contain at 

least 25 black cherry stems or 100 stems of all desirable 

species taller than 2 inches. Two to five years after the final 

harvest, both total number of stems per plot and number 

of stems taller than 3 feet were considered in determining 

whether a plot was stocked. Thus, stocking after cutting was 

calculated as the average of the proportion of plots with at 

least five stems taller than 3 feet and the proportion of plots 

with at least 25 stems total. Either before or after the final 

harvest, regeneration in a stand is considered adequate if at 

least 70 percent of the sample plots meet these criteria 

(Marquis and Bjorkbom 1982). 

The seedlings present in 1972, and those originating in 

1973, 1974, and 1975, were marked each year with a different color. Seedlings becoming established after 1975 were 

not marked. Thus, it was possible in 1978 to identify those 

advance seedlings that were at least 2 years old at the time 

of cutting, those 1 year old at the time of cutting, and the 

new seedlings that originated during the first, second, and 

later years after cutting. 

Seed Production 

Four randomly located seed traps in each treatment 

area were used to estimate seed production. Each trap was 

0.25 milacre in area (3.3 by 3.3 feet). Seed collections were 

made at the end of the seed dispersal periods during 1973 

through 1976. 

Environmental Factors 

Soil moisture was measured with a nuclear surface 

moisture gauge at weekly intervals throughout the growing 
season from 1973 through 1976. These measurements were 

! made at eight randomly selected points in each treatment. 

1 Surface temperatures of the forest floor were measured 

with an infrared field thermometer. These measurements 

were made at 20 randomly selected points in each treatment 

area (24 in the block clearcutting) at weekly intervals during 

the growing seasons of 1975 and 1976. 

Solar radiation was estimated using an anthracenebenzene chemical light meter (Marquis and Yelenosky 

1962). These estimates were made at 20 randomly selected 

points in each treatment area (24 in the block clearcutting) 

for a 1 -week period during the 1973 and 1976 growing 

season. 

Cutting Methods 

The block clearcutting was done as a final harvest cutting method to release advance regeneration present on the 

site and to stimulate germination of seed lying dormant in 

the forest floor. The treatment consisted of cutting all trees 

in the Pinch and larger diameter classes. However, only 21 

percent of the regeneration plots in this stand were stocked 

before treatment (Table 1). Thus, this stand did not meet the 

established guideline of at least 70 percent stocking for 

adequate regeneration (Marquis and Bjorkbom 1982). 

Figure 1 .-Percentage of full sunlight at various locations within the alternate strip cutting treatment. August 

3 to 13, 1976. 

The strip clearcutting was also a final harvest and removed all trees in the 2-inch and larger diameter classes. 

This treatment differed in that four adjacent 1 -chain-wide 

strips were established but only strips 1 and 3 were cut, 

leaving the alternate strips 2 and 4 uncut. All cutting and 

skidding activities were confined within the area cut so as 

not to disturb the adjacent uncut strips. In this treatment, the 

narrow clearcuts (1 chain wide) received some shade and 

possibly seed from the adjacent uncut areas. Conversely, 

the uncut strips adjacent to the cutting received additional 

light from the sides thus favoring seedling establishment and 

growth (Fig. 1). The uncut strips were subsequently cut 5 

years later in 1979. All four strips had adequate advance regeneration before cutting with 84 percent stocked plots 

(Table 1). 

When the block clearcut and the clearcut strips were 

harvested, the shelterwood area received the preparatory 

harvest, the first of two planned cuts. The objective of the 

preparatory harvest was to open the stand and thus stimulate seed production on residual trees and increase light 

reaching the forest floor to favor seedling establishment and 

development. Advance regeneration was to increase in size 

and numbers before the final harvest due in 5 years. The 

first cut removed about 26 percent of the total basal area in 

trees 4 inches and larger leaving a stand of 69 percent relative density. The larger and best quality stems of desired 

species at a uniform spacing were retained. 

Analysis of Data 

Statistical significance in all tests in this study was accepted at the 0.05 level. 

Differences in sunlight, soil moisture, and soil temperature were tested by analysis of variance. Percentage data 

were transformed by arcsine. Differences among individual 

treatments were compared using Fisher's protected LSD. 

The number of stems by species and size class were 

compared between fenced and unfenced plots within each 

treatment by a t-test for paired plots. This test was also used 

for comparing the number of stems by species (fenced and 

unfenced) in each treatment at the start of the study in 1973 

with the number present in 1978. 

Because the number of stems by species before cutting 

was so variable among plots, analysis of covariance was 

used to test treatment effects on number of stems by height 

class. The independent variable was the total number of 

stems in the fall of 1973, and the dependent variable was 

the number of stems by height class in the fall of 1978. 

Comparisons among the adjusted means were made using 

the Bonferroni t statistic (Bailey 1977). 

Pin cherry was not present in any treatment area in 

1973, therefore, analysis of variance was used to test treatment effects on the number of stems of this species by 

height class. Treatment means were compared using Fisher's protected LSD. 

Results and Discussion 

Logging Mortality 

Logging generally destroys some advance regeneration. 

The greatest losses occur when the ground is bare of snow. 
Losses are least with a deep snow cover. During the period 

of logging, snow depth measured 4 inches or less 83 percent of the time (U.S. Dep. Commer. 1973a, b; 1974a)- 

insufficient to afford much protection. 

Seedling mortality due to logging was assumed as the 

difference between the before and after inventories of regeneration adjusted for the natural overwinter mortality (40 percent) that occurred in the uncut stands. Much of this natural 

mortality occurred among the numerous red maple germinants that appeared in 1973 but failed to survive in the 

dense shade of the uncut stands. Natural overwinter mortality of all species in the cut areas also may have been affected by the change in environmental factors resulting from 

cutting. 

The highest logging mortality rate occurred in the block 

clearcut area (45 percent). The shelterwood plot had the 

least mortality-1 1 percent, and the cut strips were intermediate--19 percent of the advance regeneration. High mortality in the block clearcut resulted mostly from the extensive 

skidding needed to remove the large volume of timber cut, 

and because of the harsh environment created by the complete exposure of the site. Although the entire overstory was 

removed in the cut strips as well, mortality was less because 

the skidding was confined to one trail. Also, the shading 

effect of the adjacent uncut strips moderated soil and air 

temperatures, and soil moisture was inherently higher. The 

shelterwood received only a light partial cut and, although 

skidding was extensive, continuous use of the same skid 

trails did not occur. In addition, the residual overstory provided a favorable environment for survival. 

Environmental Factors 

Solar radiation levels and surface soil temperatures did 

not differ significantly among the individual treatment areas 

before cutting. Soil moisture was relatively uniform among 

the several areas; however, the level in the alternate strip 

cutting area was somewhat greater than that in the others. 

After logging, these factors differed substantially among the 

treatments. Knowing these differences helps to understand 

and explain the regeneration response to the various treatments. 

Solar radiation. Prior to cutting, only about 5 percent of 

full sunlight filtered through the canopy to ground levelusually considered too little light for adequate seedling 

growth and only marginal for survival of all but the most 

tolerant species. 

Cutting increased average light levels in the shelterwood and uncut strip treatments. The uncut strip (No. 2) 

bordered on both the north and south sides by cut strips received an average of 28 percent full sunlight, and the uncut 

strip bordered only on the north by a cut strip received an 

average of 13 percent (Fig. 1). The seed cut of the shelterwood treatment increased the light level there to 21 percent. 

The increased light levels in both the uncut strips and in 

the shelterwood were expected to result in better survival of 

advance seedlings and minor stimulation of height growth. 

Light levels in the block clearcut and cut strips increased dramatically to 50 to 100 percent of full sunlight. 

Although these light levels should be near optimum for 

growth of the intolerant species, they also could produce 

high surface temperatures and surface moisture stress and 

thus reduce seedling establishment and survival. The cut 

strips-especially the south edges-receive partial shade 

that moderated bath temperature and moisture stress 

(Fig. I). 

Surface temperature. Weekly growing season measurements of the forest floor surface temperature after treatment 

showed higher temperatures in the block clearcut than in 

the other treatment areas. However, temperatures in the 

block clearcut and the cut strips were not significantly different from one another, whereas, differences between the 

block clearcut and each of the other treatments were significant. Temperatures in the cut strips were often significantly 

higher than in the shelterwood, the uncut strips, and in the 

control. Temperatures among the latter three treatments 

rarely differed significantly (Table 2). 

Table 2.-Average surface temperature and range in 

degrees Celsius by treatment and growing 

season1 

1975 Treatment I976 

Average Range2 Average Range - 

Block clearcut 37c 16-60 37c 13-60 

Alternate strip 

clearcut 

Originally cleared 26cd 9-60 28cd 14-60 

Alternate 21d 10-60 24d 13-60 

Shelterwood 22d 10-56 25d 13-54 

Control 16d 4-31 21d 13-34 

'Values in the same column followed by the same letter are not 

significantly different. 

2Temperatures above 60°C exceeded the maximum limit of the 

infrared thermometer and were recorded as 60°C. 

Surface temperatures of 50 to 54°C (122 to 130°F) often 

kill young seedlings (Salisbury and Ross 1969). In 1975, 

soil surface temperatures equalled or exceeded these levels 

on 8 measurement days from late May to the middle of 

August and probably killed some seedlings. Usually this occurred at only a few sampling points in any one treatment 

area but, by the end of July, lethal temperatures had occurred at all sampling points in the block clearcut. This pattern of surface temperatures occurred again in 1976. 

Soil moisture. Soil moisture was significantly greater in 

the cut and uncut strips than in any other treatment in each 

year of measurement from 1973 through 1976 (Table 3). 

However, the differences were due to site rather than treatment. The strips occupied an almost level site with some 

inadequately drained areas where mottling occurred at 
Table 3.-Average percentage of soil moisture by 

treatment and growing season 

Treatment 1973 1974 1975 1976 

Block clearcut 32bl 36b 35b 40b 

Alternate strip clearcut 

Originally cleared 34a 45a 44a 46a 

Alternate 35a 45a 44a 46a 

Shelterwood 30c 37b 38b 40b 

Control 31bc 37b 37b 41b 

Values in the same column followed by the same letter are not 

significantly different. 

depths of 6 to 24 inches. The other treatment areas were on 

an inherently drier southwesterly slope with an average 

depth of mottling in excess of 24 inches. 

Soil moisture, as measured by a neutron surface probe 

used in this study, applies to a relatively large volume of 

soil. Such measurements do not estimate accurately the soil 

moisture levels in those crucial areas immediately surrounding either seeds or the rootlets of new germinants. Soil 

moisture in those micro-environments may have reached 

critical levels and were not detected. The high surface temperatures experienced in the study areas (Table 2) suggest 

that evaporation could have contributed to soil moisture 

reaching critical levels. 

Trends in percent moisture by volume for the alternate 

strips that had the highest moisture content and for the block 

clearcut that generally had the lowest moisture content are 

illustrated in Figure 2 for 1973 and 1974. Soil moisture in the 

r: 

. . . Clearcut 74 . . *: . . . . . . .. . ... . ... . 

Figure 2.-Trends in percentage of soil moisture in the 

alternate strip clearcutting and block clearcut areas, 

1973 and 1974. 

shelterwood area in the control area was not significantly 

different than that in the block clearcut. Year of measurement seems to have had a greater effect on soil moisture 

than did treatment. The lowest soil moisture occurred in 

1973 when the precipitation from May through October was 

about 2.4 inches below normal (US. Dep. Commer. 1973~); 

in 1974, the precipitation was about 4.4 inches above normal (US. Dep. Commer. 1974b). 

Effect of Seed Source 

Only in the first year after cutting did new seedlings 

become established in the block clearcut. These originated 

from seeds stored in the humus. Thereafter, seed sources 

were not available and few new seedlings appeared. New 

germinants appeared in the other treatment areas after each 

seed year. 

Seed traps were maintained in all of the treatment areas 

from 1973 to 1976, but sizable seed crops occurred only in 

1974 and 1975. Most of the collected seeds were red maple 

(86 percent) and black cherry (7 percent). Red maple seeds 

were trapped in all treatments though the block clearcutting 

received only a token number. Black cherry seeds were 

trapped in all areas except the block clearcut. Seeds of 

other species dispersed only in small amounts. Because the 

sample was so small and the amount of trapped seed varied 

so greatly within each treatment area, differences between 

areas could not be detected. 

Initial regeneration differences 

Before treatment, regeneration varied widely in the 

number of seedlings and in regeneration stocking (Table 1). 

The alternate strip clearcutting area averaged about 141,000 

black cherry stems per acre, many more than in any other 

treatment. Apparently this abundance occurred because 

of the large number of seed-producing black cherry and relatively high soil moisture of the site. Although far fewer red 

maple seedlings were present, they outnumbered those 

found in the block clearcut and the control areas. The shelterwood area contained more black cherry and red maple 

seedlings and had a higher regeneration stocking than did 

either the block clearcut or the control area. These latter 

treatment areas were very low in numbers of seedlings and 

percent regeneration stocking. 

The pretreatment stocking level of commercial species 

regeneration observed in the alternate strip, block clearcut, 

shelterwood, and control areas was 84, 21, 48, and 8 percent, respectively (Table 1). Only in the alternate strip area 

was stocking greater than the recommended minimum adequate level of 70 percent (Marquis and Bjorkbom 1982). 

Therefore, this was the only stand suitable for final harvest 

cutting in 1973. 

Effect of treatment on the total number of stems 

The total number of stems changed constantly in each 

treatment area during this study (Table 4). An obvious and 

expected change occurred the year after logging. The logging itself killed many seedlings. Many others could not 

survive in the harsh conditions in the cut-over stand. At the I 
Table 4.-Thousands of stems per acre by species and treatment in Spring 1973, 

1974, 1978, and 1984 

Block Originally ~lt~~~~t~ Species Year clearcut cleared strips Shelter- Control 

strips wood 

Black 

cherry 

Red maple 

Beech 

Birch 

Pin cherry 

Other 

Total, all 

species 

same time, because of seedbed disturbance and increased 

light on the forest floor, newly dispersed seeds as well as 

viable seeds that had lain dormant in the humus germinated 

and beech root suckers developed. After the initial surge of 

new regeneration, changes continued but at a reduced level. 

Some seedlings died each year as they were crowded out 

by larger stems. Meanwhile, some new seedlings also appeared after each seed crop, though few of these survived 

more than 1 year. 

Between 1973 and 1978, the number of stems in the 

cut strips were reduced by almost one-half. Large losses of 

black cherry during logging were not offset by the development of new stems that occurred elsewhere. 

In the same period, regeneration increased by about 

one-third in the block clearcut. The increase was almost 

entirely beech root suckers and pin cherry seedlings that appeared the year after cutting. There were significantly more 

stems of these two species in this treatment than in any 

other. The pin cherry no doubt are from dormant seed in the 

floor of the undisturbed forest (Marquis 1975). Many of these 

germinate in response to the disturbance of heavy cutting. 

The triggering mechanism of this response may have been 

the elevated level of soluble nitrogen available in the soil 

after clearcutting (Auchmoody 1979). Increase in surface 

temperature after clearcutting, as we observed in this plot, 

accelerates the rate of organic nitrogen mineralization in 

forest soils (Theodoru and Bowen 1983). 

The total number of seedlings increased slightly during 

the period 1973 to 1978 in the uncut alternate strips. New 

red maple germinants accounted for much of the increase. 

Because no cutting took place, few beech root suckers, 

birch, or pin cherry became established. By 1984, 5 years 

after these strips were cut, the total number per acre had 

decreased greatly with very large reductions in the number 

of black cherry and red maple seedlings. 

In the shelterwood area, the total number of stems 

increased nearly threefold from 1973 to 1978. Red maple 

stems accounted for much of the increase as there were 

significantly more stems of this species here than in any 

other treatment. Although the number of black cherry stems 

decreased slightly after the preparatory cut, new cherry 

regeneration also became established. By 1978, this area 

contained significantly more black cherry stems than the 

block clearcut. The partial cutting did not stimulate much 

beech root suckering. A few birch and pin cherry germinated 

after the cutting, but not many survived. The number of 

stems present in 1984 reflect losses due to the logging of 

the overstory removal and the subsequent losses to increased competition as some stems increased in size. 
Although the number of stems nearly tripled in the uncut 

control area between 1973 and 1978, the number present 

in 1978 was still much less than that in all other areas except the block clearcut. Red maple seedlings accounted for 

most of the increase with much smaller increases of black 

cherry and beech. No birch or pin cherry became established. By 1984, the total number of seedlings in this plot 

had declined by 1,300 seedlings below the 1973 level, with 

a 56 percent decrease in black cherry stems and increases 

of 104 percent in beech stems and 25 percent in red maple 

stems. 

Effect of treatment on regeneration stocking 

Between 1973 and 1978, regeneration stocking decreased in the block clearcut and strip final harvest cuttings 

and increased in the shelterwood and uncut preparatory 

cuttings. The stocking level of the uncut control area increased during the period 1973 to 1978, but then decreased 

greatly by 1984 (Table 5). This latter area contained a large 

number of small, newly germinated red maple seedlings in 

1978 that did not survive till 1984. 

The block clearcut area did not contain adequate stocking of regeneration before cutting in 1973, and by 1978, 5 

years after cutting, it was even lower. This treatment did not 

successfully regenerate the stand. Stocking also decreased 

in the clearcut strips but, because of their high initial stocking, they remained satisfactorily stocked. In both these harvest cuts, stocking in 1978 was higher on fenced than 

unfenced plots. 

The percentage of stocked regeneration plots in the 

shelterwood area increased from an unsatisfactory pretreatment level to a satisfactory level 5 years after the preparatory cut. In 1984, 5 years after the final harvest, stocking 

was adequate in both the fenced and unfenced plots. However, stocking in the unfenced plots is adequate only if all 

commercial species are considered, whereas the fenced 

plots are adequately stocked with desirable species and 100 

percent stocked with commercial species. In the alternate 

uncut strips, initial stocking was high and increased somewhat by 1978. Five years after clearcutting, these strips 

were still adequately stocked. Fenced plots contained more 

desirable species than did the unfenced. 

Table 5.-Stocking of regeneration by species group and treatment, 1973, 1978, 

and 1984, in percent 

Species group 

and treatment 

Aiter After 

Before1 treatment, treatment, 

treatment, 1978 1984 

Fenced Unfenced Fenced Unfenced -- 

Desirable spec& 

Harvest cut: 

Block clearcut 

Originally cleared strips 

Preparatory cut: 

Shelterwood 

Alternate strips 

Control 

Commercial Species 

Harvest cut: 

Block clearcut 

Originally cleared strips 

Preparatory cut: 

Shelterwood 

Alternate strips 

Control 

'All plots unfenced at this time. 

2Five years after final hawest cut. Based on the post cutting criteria; average proportion of plots with at 

least 25 stems total and 5 stems taller than 3 feet. All others based on precutting criteria; percent of plots with 

25 black cherry stems or a total of 100 advance seedlings. Stocking of at least 70 percent is adequate. 
Effect of treatment on stem height 

Only harvest cuttings stimulated a sizable proportion of 

the regeneration to more than 1 foot in height in the 5 years 

after cutting (Table 6). The preparatory cuttings stimulated 

seedling height growth little in this period. Initially, the most 

seedling growth occurred on the fenced plots of the block 

clearcut where they received full sunlight and continuous 

protection from deer browsing. More than 80 percent of 

these stems were taller than 1 foot, and more than one-third 

grew to 5 feet or more. However, a large proportion of these 

taller seedlings were noncommercial pin cherry. The proportion of taller regeneration was less in the clearcut strips 

because of the partial shading effect of the adjacent uncut 

stands. In these strips, about two-thirds of the stems were 

over 1 foot tall and 1 in 10 was over 5 feet. In 1984, 5 years 

after final removal, both the alternate strip and shelterwood 

plots had more than 75 percent of stems taller than 1 foot, 

and very few of these were noncommercial species. On the 

unfenced plots in all treatments, the proportion of stems in 

the taller height classes was much less. 

Table 6.-Percentage of commercial and noncommercial stems by treatment and height class, 1978 

and 1984. 

Height 1978 1984' 

class Block Clearcut Alternate Shelter- Alternate Shelter- (feet) clearcut strips strips2 wood2 Control strips wood Control 

COMMERCIAL SPECIES 

Fenced plots: 

<I I7 34 82 91 94 23 17 78 

1-3 23 38 15 6 4 19 37 14 

3-5 8 14 1 1 < 1 15 16 5 

>5 - 4 6 1 - <I - < 1 37 25 - 3 

Total 52 92 99 98 99 94 95 100 

Unfenced plots: 

< 1 37 69 9 1 97 94 54 28 63 

1-3 27 26 7 1 4 26 57 25 

3-5 4 3 < 1 1 2 10 7 8 

>5 - 1 1 <I - <I - <I 9 7 - 4 

Total 69 99 99 99 100 99 99 1 00 

NONCOMMERCIAL SPECIES 

Fenced plots: 

<I 1 <1 1 1 1 1 0 0 

1-3 5 0 <I <1 0 1 1 0 

3-5 10 <1 <1 <1 0 1 1 0 

>5 32 7 -0- 0 0 3 3 - 0 

Total 48 8 1 2 1 6 5 0 

Unfenced plots: 

3-5 5 < 1 <I 0 0 0 0 0 

> 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 

Total 31 1 1 1 <1 1 I 0 

'Five years after the final overstory removal from the alternate strips and the shelterwood plots. 

epreparatory cutting treatments. 
In terms of stems greater than 3 feet and 5 feet-criteria of successful regeneration after harvesting-treatment 

differences were evident 5 years after final harvest. There 

were significantly larger numbers of stems in these height 

classes in all species categories, but only in the fenced plots 

within these treatments. The number of desirable and commercial species in these height classes was favored by 

those treatments that provide some partial shade before final 

harvest, the shelterwood and the alternate strips. Tall noncommercial species, mostly pin cherry, developed in each of 

the harvest cuts with the most in the block clearcut. The 

number of stems by species, height class, and treatment on 

fenced and unfenced plots is given in Table 7. 

Effect of fencing 

Fencing had little effect on the total number of stems 

during the course of this study (Table 7). The only significant 

difference between fenced and unfenced plots in total stem 

number after harvest occurred in the clearcut strip treatment 

in 1978. The unfenced plots had more than twice as many 

seedlings as the fenced. These unfenced plots contained 

very large amounts of black cherry and red maple less than 

1 foot tall. In a similar manner, the number of seedlings 

less than 1 foot tall was significantly greater in the unfenced 

than in the fenced plots in each harvest treatment. Conversely, the fenced plots in each harvest treatment contained a significantly greater number of taller seedlings than 

did the unfenced. When protected from browsing, seedlings 

grow taller and occupy more space crowding out smaller 

stems, whereas browsed seedlings remain small allowing 

room for larger numbers. 

Regeneration stocking 5 years after final harvest was 

dramatically higher on the plots protected from deer browsing by fences (Table 5). With the exception of the block 

clearcut, all harvest cuts contained adequate stocking in desirable species when fenced, and stocking was even higher 

when all commercial species were included. Although these 

same treatments resulted in adequate stocking without fencing, the proportion of stocked plots was less and the species 

composition less desirable. The post-harvest stocking of 

the block clearcut was inadequate, even with the benefit of 

fencing. This suggests that deer browsing is not the only 

factor affecting regeneration. Stocking before cutting was 

low, logging destroyed much of the advance regeneration, 

and adequate new regeneration could not survive in the 

harsh environment created by complete removal of the 

overstory. 

In the preparatory cuttings-the shelterwood and the 

uncut strips-and in the uncut control where less than optimum light was available, the effect of fencing was much less 

pronounced. Relatively few seedlings in these areas were 

taller than 1 foot and rarely did any exceed 3 feet (Table 6). 

It is possible that the seedlings outside the fences in these 

areas receiving low light levels were not browsed heavily 

because the deer were attracted to the nearby clearcuts. 

Clearcutting results in a flush of new vegetation providing 

much food. Both the block clearcut and the clearcut strip 

areas had a large number of new pin cherry (Table 4) and 

Rubus (Table 11) germinants; both of which are favored 

deer browse. This could have the effect of reducing browse 

pressure on the uncut and partial cut areas, helping to explain the lack of height difference inside and outside the 

fences. Also, browsing tends to be limited on small and 

slow-growing stems. Rapidly elongating seedlings are much 

more succulent and attractive to deer. In fact, this is partially 

the idea behind using shelterwood cutting in high-deer-density areas. The preparatory cut encourages the establishment of new seedlings while maintaining slow growth to 

avoid browsing until the number of seedlings is large enough 

to overwhelm the deer. 

Old versus new seedlings 

The old seedlings referred to here are those advance 

seedlings present in 1973 before cutting. In even-age harvest methods, advance regeneration stems are necessary 

for successful regeneration. Most of these old seedlings 

were black cherry, red maple, and beech. The new seedlings are those that became established in 1974 and later. 

The number of old seedlings decreased over the study 

period with the greatest decreases occurring immediately 

after logging. Survival of these seedlings was lowest in the 

final harvest cuttings where the effects of logging were 

greatest and in the uncut control where the low light levels 

made survival difficult (Table 8). 

Despite the mortality of the old seedlings and the establishment of new seedlings, the old seedlings represented a 

substantial proportion of the total regeneration in 1978 (Table 9). In addition, these seedlings, with their initial height 

advantage and already well-developed root systems, outgrew the new seedlings. In 1978, a greater proportion of the 

old seedlings was found in the taller height classes (Table 

10). 

Herbaceous covers 

Hayscented fern, New York fern, short husk grass, and 

sedge occurred in all treatment areas in 1973, but the percentage of area covered was not great enough to be a regeneration problem (Marquis et al. 1975). Since these 

species can have an inhibitory effect on regeneration of 

black cherry and other desirable Allegheny hardwoods 

(Horsley 1977, Horsley and Marquis 1983), it is important to 

determine if the cutting methods used in this study may 

influence the spread of these ferns and grasses. 

Prior to logging in 1973, a light fairly uniform fern cover 

grew throughout the treatment area. This coverage ranged 

from 8 percent in the block clearcut to 12 percent on the cut 

strips. By 1978, fern coverage had expanded on all plots 

except the block clearcut. The largest increase occurred in 

the shelterwood plot where the percentage of area covered 

nearly doubled to 20 percent. However, this is still not great 

enough to be considered an inhibitory problem for regeneration. The reasons for the fern coverage increase are not 

entirely clear, but considering the site requirements of ferns 

can be helpful. Both fern species commonly grow in moist, 

shady places (Fernald 1950). Thus, the least favorable location would be the hot, dry block clearcut and this treatment 
area did contain the least amount of fern cover. Conversely, ments is quite favorable. Also, as stated earlier, the cut strip 

the partial shade from the cut strips and shelterwood treat- area was moister than the others. 

Table 7.-Thousands of stems per acre, by height class, species, 

and treatment on fenced (F) and unfenced (UF) plots, 5 years after harvest cutting 

Height Block Clearcut Alternate 

Species class clearcut strips Control Shelterwood strips Control 

(feet) F UF F UF F UF F UF F UF F U F 

Black cherry < 1 0.1 0.2 5.6 * 21.6 1.9 0.9 1.4 1.4 1.6 * 3.3 1.1 * 0.3 

1-3 .3 .5 11.0 19.5 .1 0 3.8 4.4 2.1 * 6.3 .2 0 

3-5 .3 .1 3.7 2.2 0 0 1.2 .7 2.4 4.4 0 0 

>5 .2 .1 1.4 .5 0 0 1.6 * .2 6.5 * 3.8 0 0 

Total 0.9 0.9 21.8 * 43.8 2.0 0.9 8.0 6.7 12.6 17.8 1.3 * 0.3 

Red maple < 1 0.6 0.9 7.8 * 36.7 26.6 26.7 4.3 * 6.8 4.0 * 17.9 3.7 2.1 

1-3 .6 .5 3.4 * 1.3 0 0 8.0 13.8 2.4 4.4 .l 0 

3-5 0 0 .9 * 0 0 0 3.9 * 1.0 1.6 * .4 0 0 

> 5 0 0 .3 * 0 0 0 4.0 * 0 3.3 * .1 0 0 

Total 1.2 1.4 12.3 * 38.0 26.6 26.7 20.2 21.6 11.3 * 22.8 3.8 2.1 

All <1 0.9 1.5 13.5 * 58.4 34.5 31.6 5.7 8.2 5.5 * 21.2 6.7 3.4 

desirables1 1-3 1.4 1.1 14.5 20.8 .1 0 11.8 18.2 4.5" 10.7 .3 0 

3-5 .6 * .1 4.9 * 2.2 0 0 5.1 * 1.7 4.1 4.8 0 0 

>5 .3 * .1 1.8 .5 0 0 5.8 * .2 9.8 * 3.9 0 0 

Total 3.2 * 2.8 34.7 " 81.9 34.6 31.6 28.4 28.3 23.9 * 40.6 7.0 * 3.4 

Beech 

Total 9.9 14.1 2.7 2.7 3.9 4.6 3.6 4.4 2.3 3.6 4.4 5.6 

Other <1 3.4 * 8.6 0.8 * 4.9 1.8 2.6 0.2 1.2 1.4 6.6 2.3 2.2 

commercial2 1-3 4.6 6.3 1.7 2.4 1.6 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.4 3.0 1.3 * 2.2 

3-5 1.5* 1.0 1.1* .8 .3 .5 .7 .5 .4 .6 .6 .7 

>5 .7 * .2 .9 .6 .2 .1 3.0 2.0 1.6 .6 .3 .4 

Total 10.2 * 16.1 4.5 * 8.7 3.9 4.7 5.1 4.9 4.8 10.8 4.5 5.5 

Desirable and <1 4.3 * 10.1 14.3 * 63.3 36.3 34.2 5.9 * 9.4 6.9 * 27.8 9.0 * 5.6 

cornrner~ial~~~ 1-3 6.0 7.4 16.2 23.2 1.7 1.5 13.0 19.4 5.9 * 13.7 1.6 2.2 

3-5 2.1 * 1.1 6.0 * 3.0 .3 .5 5.8 * 2.2 4.5 5.4 .6 .7 

> 5 1.0 * .3 2.7 1.1 .2 .I 8.8 * 2.2 11.4 * 4.5 .3 .4 

Total 13.4 * 18.9 39.2 * 90.6 38.5 36.3 33.5 33.2 28.7 * 51.4 11.5 8.9 

Total 12.4 8.5 3.2 * 0.7 0.1 0.1 1.5 * 0.3 1.8 * 0.7 0 0 

All species <I 4.5 * 12.4 14.5 * 63.8 36.4 34.3 5.9 * 9.6 7.1 * 27.9 9.0 * 5.6 

1-3 7.4 * 11.3 16.2 23.4 1.7 1.5 13.3 19.5 6.2 * 14.3 1.6 2.2 

Total 25.8 27.4 42.4* 91.3 38.6 36.4 35.Q 33.5 30.5 52.1 11.5 8.9 

* = Significant difference (0.05) between fenced (F) and unfenced (UF). 

'Black cherry, red maple, sugar maple, white ash, yellow-poplar, and cucumbertree. 

"eech, sweet birch, yellow birch, and hemlock. 

cherry, eastern hophornbeam, striped maple, and serviceberry. 
Table 8.-Survival of old seedlings1 by species and cutting method, 1978, in percent 

Black Red All 

Treatment cherry maple Beech species 

Block clearcut 3 1 24 3 

Alternate strip 

clearcut 

Originally 27 8 42 19 

cleared strip 

Alternate strip 38 24 81 34 

Shelterwood 35 12 50 16 

Control 26 9 65 17 

'Seedlings present at the start of the study. 

Table 9.-Old seedlings1 as a percentage of 

total regeneration by species and 

cutting method, 1978 

Black Red Beech 

Treatment cherrv maole 

Block clearcut 19 24 8 

Alternate strip 

clearcut 

Originally 68 20 44 

cleared strip 

Alternate strip 52 29 60 

Shelterwood 19 10 31 

Control 33 6 44 

All 

species 

6 

43 

45 

12 

13 

'Seedlings present at the start of the study. 

Table 10.-Percentage of old1 and new seedlings 

by height class, all treatments and 

species combined, 1978 

Height 

class Old New 

Seedlings Seedlings Total 

(feet) 

- - 

Total 37 63 100 

'Seedlings present at the start of the study. 

Grasses, primarily short husk grass and sedge, covered 

3 percent or less of each treatment area in 1973 and, at 

this low level, did not present a regeneration problem. However, logging disturbance and increased light apparently 

stimulated the germination of seeds stored in the humus, 

and grass covers expanded. By 1978, 20 percent of the 

area in the cut strips was grass-covered-more than in any 

other treatment. Modest increases occurred in the other 

areas as well, except in the uncut control which did not 

change. Thus, grass coverage did increase in response to 

the cutting but not enough in any treatment area to become 

a regeneration problem. 

Rubus differs from fern and grass in that its presence 

can be beneficial to regeneration. Numerous Rubus seeds 

germinate after cutting or other disturbance. The seedlings 

grow rapidly and often dominate a regeneration area for 

several years. Although it forms a dense canopy, the environment beneath is favorable for seed germination and 

seedling establishment of tree species. At the same time, it 

may provide new seedlings some short-term protection from 

browsing. Not only does the dense Rubus cover hide tree 

seedlings from the deer, but it is also highly desirable 

browse and the deer eat it instead of the tree seedlings. 

Further, Rubus may interfere with fern and grass (Horsley 

and Marquis 1983). 

The establishment and growth of Rubus, not present in 

any treatment area in 1973, was affected by treatment 

and-because it was browsed heavily-by fencing. In 1978, 

the greatest amounts were found in the block clearcut and 

the cut strips with lesser amounts in the shelterwood and 

uncut strips. There was no Rubus in the uncut control. Rubus coverage in the unfenced plots was only a fraction of 

the amount present on the fenced plots, except in the block 

clearcut, where dense accumulations of slash may have 

protected the Rubus from browsing. Estimated Rubus coverage by treatment and fencing is shown in Table 11. 

Other herbaceous plants such as adder's tongue, wood 

sorrel, violet, partridgeberry, and mosses were also present. 

The percentage of area covered by these plants was small 

and changed only slightly between 1973 and 1978. 

Table 11 .-Percentage of area covered by Rubus 

spp. by treatment, fenced and unfenced 

plots, 1978' 

Treatment Fenced 

~l0t.S 

Unfenced 

olots 

Block clearcut 58a 51 a 

Alternate strip clearcut 

Originally cleared 71 a 16b 

Alternate strip 25b 7c 

Shelterwood 15b 2d 

Control Oc Od 

'Values in the same column followed by the same letter are not 

significantly different. 
Summary and Conclusions 

The results of this study indicate that: 

1. Cutting methods such as shelterwood or alternate 

strip clearcutting provide a moderate environment 

and avoid the extremes of light and temperature 

found in a block clearcut. The moderating influences 

of these methods where the complete overstory is 

removed in two stages improve establishment and 

survival but did not stimulate height growth of small 

seedlings prior to final harvest. 

2. Cutting methods influence the amount of new regeneration of seedling origin. After cutting and germination of the cherry seed stored in the humus, no new 

black cherry seedlings appeared in the block clearcut 

treatment or the original cleared strips of the alternate strip clearcut treatment. In the shelterwood 

treatment and in the uncut strips of the alternate strip 

clearcut harvest treatment, a seed source remained 

and new black cherry seedlings continued to appear. 

Few maple or birch seedlings became established 

in the block clearcut because the seed dispersal 

distance from the surrounding stand was too great to 

obtain adequate seed distribution. But these seedlings appeared in all other treatments including the 

originally cleared strips where seed dispersal distance was not too great. 

Pin cherry seed stored in the humus germinated in 

response to higher light levels and/or increased soluble nitrogen concentration in the soil after cutting. 

The greatest number of seedlings became established in the block clearcut. 

3. Advance regeneration is critical in the block clearcutting method because harvesting removes the seed 

trees, leaving only those seeds stored in the humus 

to help regenerate the area. Seeds of other species 

dispersed into the clearcut were inadequate for successful regeneration. 

4. The number of seedlings present at the start of the 

study decreased during the study. However, advance 

regeneration accounted for a high proportion of the 

regeneration greater than 1 foot in height 5 years 

after harvest. 

5. Stands with inadequate advance regeneration (<70 

percent stocking) should not be clearcut; rather a 

treatment that removes only a portion of the overstory such as shelterwood should be used. 

6. The new beech regeneration was principally of 

sprout origin and occurred almost exclusively in 

areas logged. 

Fencing to prevent deer browsing allowed seedlings 

to grow taller as well as allowing regeneration stocking to increase with a greater proportion of desirable 

species. In particular, fencing made a major difference in regeneration stocking in the block clearcut, 

whereas regeneration in unfenced areas was nearly 

a total failure. 

Rubus coverage increased greatly after cutting and 

the heavier the cutting the more Rubus. Fern and 

grass covers were also more extensive after treatment, though field observations suggest that these 

covers increased in moist rather than in dry sites 

within any treatment area. Caution should be used in 

areas where grass andlor fern coverage exceeds 

30 percent. 

Literature Cited 

Auchmoody, L.R. Nitrogen fertilization stimulates germination of dormant pin cherry seed. Canadian Journal of 

Forest Research. 9:514-516; 1979. 

Bailey, J.R. Tables of the Bonferroni t statistic. Journal of 

American Statistical Association. 72(358):369-378; 1977. 

Fernald, Merritt Lyndon. Grey's manual of botany. 8th 

ed. New York: American Book Co.; 1950. 1632 p. 

Horsley, Stephen B. Allelopathic inhibition of black 

cherry. 11. Inhibition by woodland grass, ferns, and club 

moss. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 751 5-51 9; 

1977. 

Horsley, Stephen B.; Marquis, David A. Interference by 

weed and deer with Allegheny hardwood reproduction. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 13:61-69; 

1 983. 

Marquis, David A. Seed storage and germination under 

northern hardwood forests. Canadian Journal of Forest 

Research. 5:478-484; 1975. 

Marquis, David A.; Bjorkbom, John C. Guidelines for evaluating regeneration before and after clearcutting Allegheny hardwoods. Res. Note NE-307. Broomall, PA: 

US. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station; 1982. 4 p. 

Marquis, David A.; Yelenosky, George. A chemical light 

meter for forest research. Stn. Pap. No. 165. Upper 

Darby, PA: US. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station; 1962. 25 p. 

Marquis, David A.; Grisez, Ted J.; Bjorkbom, John C.; 

Roach, Benjamin A. Interim guide to regeneration of 

Allegheny hardwoods. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-19. Upper 

Darby, PA: US. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station; 1975. 14 p. 
Salisbury, Frank B.; Ross, Cleon. Plant physiology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co., Inc.; 1969. 747 p. 

Theodoru, C.; Bowen, G.D. Effects of temperature, moisture, and litter on nitrogen mineralization in Pinus 

radiata forest soils. Australian Forest Research. 13:113- 

1 19; 1983. 

US. Department of Commerce. Climatological data. Pennsylvania. Vol. 78, No. 11. Asheville, NC: US. Department 

of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data Service, 1973a. 

US. Department of Commerce. Climatological data. Pennsylvania. Vol. 78, No. 12. Asheville, NC: US. Department 

of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data Service, 1973b. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. Climatological data. Pennsylvania. Vol. 78, No. 13. Asheville, NC: US. Department 

of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data Service, 1973c. 

US. Department of Commerce. Climatological data. Pennsylvania. Vol. 79, No. 1. Asheville, NC: US. Department 

of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data Service, 1974a. 

US. Department of Commerce. Climatological data. Pennsylvania. Vol. 79, No. 13. Asheville, NC: US. Department 

of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data Service, 1974b. 

COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF TREES 

AND PLANTS REFERRED TO IN THIS REPORT 

Trees: 

Ash, white 

Beech 

Birch, sweet 

Birch, yellow 

Cherry, black 

Cherry, pin 

Cucumbertree 

Eastern 

hophornbeam 

Hemlock 

Maple, red 

Maple, striped 

Maple, sugar 

Serviceberry 

Yellow-poplar 

Herbaceous plants: 

Adder's tongue 

Fern, hayscented 

Fern, New York 

Grass, short husk 

Mosses 

Partridgeberry 

Rubus (raspberry, 

blackberry) 

Sedge 

Sorrel, wood 

Violet 

Fraxinus americana L. 

Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. 

Betula lenta L. 

Betula alleghaniensis Britton 

Prunus serotina Ehrh. 

Prunus pensylvanica L.f. 

Magnolia acuminata L. 

Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch 

Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr. 

Acer rubrum L. 

Acer pensylvanicum L. 

Acer saccharum Marsh. 

Amelanchier arborea (Michx, f.) Fern. 

Liriodendron tulipifera L. 

Erythronium americanum Ker. 

Dennstaedtia punctiloba Michx. 

Thelypteris noveboracensis L. 

Brachyelytrum erectum Schreb. 

Lycopodium spp. 

Mitchella repens L. 

Rubus spp. 

Carex spp. 

Oxalis montana Raf. 

Viola spp. 

Bjorkbom, John C.; Walters, Russell S. Allegheny hardwood regeneration 

response to even-age harvesting methods. Res. Pap. NE-581. Broomall, 

PA: US. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest 

Experiment Station; 1986. 13 p. 

Allegheny hardwood regeneration response to block clearcutting, alternate strip 

clearcutting, and two-cut shelterwood, and in an uncut control was compared. 

Stand regeneration success was evaluated 5 years after harvest. Clearcutting 

resulted in high mortality of advance regeneration. Thus, regeneration by block 

clearcutting was not successful, though both alternate strip clearcutting harvests 

were successful. The first cut of the shelterwood established new seedlings 

but did not stimulate growth. Regeneration level increased from inadequate to 

adequate and remained so after the final harvest. New seedlings appeared 

in the control after each seed crop, but few survived. Fenced seedlings grew 

taller in all harvest areas. 

ODC 221.21 :221.22:221 .I 

Keywords: 2-cut shelterwood cutting, alternate strip clearcutting, block clearcut1 ting 
Headquarters of the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station are in 

Broomall, Pa. Field laboratories are maintained at: 

Amherst, Massachusetts, in cooperation with the University of 

Massachusetts. 

Berea, Kentucky, in cooperation with Berea College. 

0 Burlington, Vermont, in cooperation with the University of 

Vermont. 

Delaware, Ohio. 

0 Durham, New Hampshire, in cooperation with the University of 

New Hampshire. 

Hamden, Connecticut, in cooperation with Yale University. 

Morgantown, West Virginia, in cooperation with West Virginia 

University, Morgantown. 

Orono, Maine, in cooperation with the University of Maine, 

Orono. 

Parsons, West Virginia. 

Princeton, West Virginia. 

Syracuse, New York, in cooperation with the State University of 

New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry at 

Syracuse University, Syracuse. 

0 University Park, Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the 

Pennsylvania State University. 

0 Warren, Pennsylvania.