bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Big Basal Area Factor Sampling in Appalachian Hardwoods
Authors: Brooks John R.
Published: August 2019

Big basal area factor (BAF) sampling techniques were investigated in a 70-year-old even-aged hardwood forest in northern West Virginia. Data collection procedures permitted the investigation of several small BAFs when employed with 12 big BAFs ranging from 55 to 300. Mean board foot volume per acre for sawtimber products was investigated along with a comparison of the resultant standard errors. The estimated mean volume per acre was quite stable. The same approximate mean volume per acre was obtained using big BAF values of 55 and 150 but with a 66% reduction in the number of sample trees needed for volume estimation. Sampling error increased with increasing big BAF, especially above values of 150. Sampling error within a single big BAF value was stable across the range of small BAFs sampled.
Wisconsin Private Sector Foresters’ Involvement in Nonindustrial Private Forestland Cross-boundary Forestry Practices
Authors: Rickenbach Mark , Jahnke Amy D.
Published: August 2019

Wisconsin private sector foresters (n = 92) were surveyed to learn their participation, experience, and/or interest in coordinating cross-boundary forestry practices by nonindustrial private forestland (NIPF) owners. Survey response was 78%. Two-thirds reported coordinating cross-boundary practices in the last 2 years. Their most recent practice was typically a timber sale between 41 and 160 ac for two NIPF owners. Despite interest in future cross-boundary forestry practices, the scale of existing practices is still large in comparison to typical NIPF ownerships. Reducing transaction costs also presents a major challenge. Ideas for addressing these challenges are explored.
Optimal Nutrition and Diagnosis for Abies fraseri Christmas Trees in Michigan
Authors: Rothstein David E. , Lisuzzo Nicholas J.
Published: August 2019

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is a species with a highly restricted native range that is now planted widely for Christmas tree production throughout the eastern US. The southeastern US has a long history of research on nutritional demands of Fraser fir, but growers in the Upper Midwest have limited locally based nutrition research on which to draw. A survey of foliar nutrition and soil properties in Fraser fir Christmas tree plantations throughout the state of Michigan was conducted to accomplish the following objectives: 1) identify relationships between tree nutrition and tree performance, 2) identify relationship between soil properties and tree nutrition, and 3) develop Diagnosis and Recommendation Integration System (DRIS) norms for Fraser fir Christmas trees in Michigan. Foliar N, P, and K levels were all positively associated with tree performance. In contrast, Ca, Mg, and Fe levels in foliage were negatively associated with tree quality. DRIS analysis indicated nutrient imbalances resulting from excess Ca, Mg, and Fe in comparison to N, P, K, and S. High pH and base saturation of young, calcareous soils of Michigan appear to be the most important site factor limiting the production of Fraser fir in Michigan.
Effects of Wind Barrier Protection on Eleven-Year Growth of Black Walnut Seedlings
Authors: Heiligmann Randall B. , Schneider Gary , White Donald P.
Published: August 2019

Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) plantings in exposed, open-field sites frequently result in poor seedling growth. The use of artificial wind barriers significantly improved tree growth on such a site in central Michigan on a sandy loam soil, a well-drained Arenic Hapludalfs. The use of a wooden lath (snow fencing) barrier for the first 4 years following planting provided a wind-protected microenvironment that improved the 11-year diameter growth by 60%, and the height growth by 70%, compared to trees grown without the barriers. Annual diameter growth of the protected trees was significantly greater throughout the study, indicating that the barrier effects on growth persisted at least 7 years after the barriers were removed. Trees growing behind the barriers had greater crown and leaf area than those in adjacent exposed plots. The use of existing natural barriers, such as forest edges, fence rows, topography, and tall natural herbaceous vegetation, should be considered when planting trees such as black walnut on exposed sites.
Influence of Markets and Forest Composition on Lumber Production in Pennsylvania
Authors: Luppold William G. , Bumgardner Matthew S.
Published: August 2019

In this study, we examine regional differences in the hardwood timber resources of Pennsylvania and how the combined changes in inventory volume, forest composition, and lumber prices have influenced regional lumber production. Isolation of these relationships is important because shifts in lumber production reflect changes in harvesting activity. In turn, harvesting influences long-term forest composition and structure. We define three hardwood regions in Pennsylvania based on forest composition and present a chronology of regional changes in sawtimber volumes, sawtimber composition, and lumber production. Regional changes in hardwood lumber production were found to be positively related to changes in the price of No. 1 Common lumber adjusted for changes in forest composition between 1970 and 1999. This finding supports our contention that regional changes in lumber production are influenced by a combination of changes in interspecies lumber price and changes in species availability.
Effects of Crown Release on Growth and Quality of Even-Aged Red Maple Stands
Authors: Strong Terry F. , Hubbell Audra E. , Weise Adam H. , Erdmann Gayne G.
Published: August 2019

The effects of six crown-release treatments on growth and bole quality of 54 dominant, codominant, and intermediate red maples (Acer rubrum L.) were examined in an even-aged stand in upper Michigan. Treatments included an unreleased control, a single-tree and a two-tree crown release, and a full crown-to-crown release of 5, 10, and 15 ft. Twenty-two years after treatment, all trees showed a decrease in number of defects. Trees released to 15 ft lost twice as many defects as unreleased trees. Codominants and intermediates lost twice as many defects as dominants. Overgrown knots were the most common defects and showed the greatest decrease over time. The number of epicormic branches also declined; dominants had no epicormic branches after 22 years. Growth was greater for all released trees than for unreleased trees. Twice as much growth occurred in the 15-ft treatment as in the control, but this result was not significantly greater than those of the 5- or 10-ft crown release treatments. Dominant trees grew significantly more than the intermediate trees. Twenty-two years after treatment, dominants appeared to be least affected by crown-release but had the fewest defects and largest diameters. Crown-release treatment had the greatest effect on intermediates. To maximize growth and maintain bole quality, a crown release of between 5 and 10 ft is recommended for red maple pole-size trees in the Lake States.
Small-Diameter Timber Utilization in Wisconsin: A Case Study of Four Counties
Authors: Bowe Scott A. , Bumgardner Matthew S.
Published: August 2019

The state of Wisconsin has numerous forest ownership types. These include national, state, and county forests, as well as privately owned industrial and nonindustrial forests. In addition to sawlog markets, portions of the state also have substantial pulpwood markets associated withpaper and panel mills. Combined, these attributes make Wisconsin a good location for studies of how different markets and ownerships influence small-diameter timber utilization in the Midwest. In the fall of 2003 and the spring of 2004, recent timber sales were examined in four selected countiesin Wisconsin. Data on harvest contracts, cut types, silvicultural practices, forester involvement, residual stand characteristics, and fiber utilization were gathered. These data were examined based on ownership types, proximity to pulpwood markets, and forest cover in the counties. Findingssuggested that each of these factors influenced harvest activities. Examining these factors will increase our understanding of the role small-diameter timber plays in forest management and expose opportunities resulting from its utilization. North. J. Appl. For. 23(4):250 –256.
Site-Index Curves and Growth Intercepts for Young White Spruce Plantations in North Central Ontario
Authors: Carmean Willard H. , Hazenberg Gerrit , Thrower James S. , LaValley Richard R.
Published: August 2019

Site-index (heightߝgrowth) curves, site-index prediction equations, and growth intercepts were developed from internode measurements and stem-analysis data using dominant trees in 69 plots located in white spruce plantations aged 19 to 32 years total age. Site-index curves were based on breast-height (1.3 m) age because our analyses show that height growth below breast height is slow and erratic and is poorly related to site index (dominant height at 15 years breast-height age). The most precise model for computing heightߝgrowth curves was a Newnham constrained polymorphic expression (Newnham, R.M. 1988. A modification of the Ek-Payandeh nonlinear regression model for site-index curves. Can. J. For. Res. 18:115ߝ120) of the Ek nonlinear regression model (Ek, A.R. 1971. A formula for white spruce site-index curves. University of Wisconsin For. Res. Note 161. 2 p). Comparisons showed that site-index curves in North Central Ontario were comparable to site-index curves for white spruce plantations in southeastern Ontario. The first three to five internodes above 2.0 m gave the most precise estimates of site index based on growth intercepts. North. J. Appl. For. 23(4):257–263.
Sixty Years of Change in the Sapling Understories of Northern Hardwood Selection Stands in New Hampshire
Authors: Leak William B.
Published: August 2019

Numbers of understory saplings in northern hardwood stands on granitic soils harvested once or twice by single-tree selection were monitored on 1/4-ac cruise plots from 1931–32 to 1990–91. Beech, which composed somewhat less than half the stems, either increased slightly or declined; hemlock and striped maple increased substantially, whereas sugar maple declined. The decline in sugar maple saplings may have resulted from the influence of logging disturbances prior to 1931–32, which produced early successional vegetation conducive to sugar maple regeneration, followed by single-tree selection harvests that minimized any early successional influence. North. J. Appl. For. 23(4):301–303.
Effects of Mechanical Site Preparation on the Abundance and Diversity of Ground-Layer Vegetation in Adirondack Northern Hardwood Stands
Authors: Forrester Jodi A. , Bohn Kimberly K.
Published: August 2019

Forest management in northern hardwoods benefits from the use of site preparation treatments when the amount of American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and fern species in the understory interferes with regeneration of more desirable species, e.g., sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall). We assessed the cover and diversity of herbaceous and woody species in the ground layer of three Adirondack northern hardwood stands before and 3 years after a mechanical site preparation that removed all trees less than 14 cm with a brush saw. The treatment significantly increased the cover of all species cumulatively, with herbaceous, shrub, and arborescent species increasing significantly more in treated plots than in untreated plots. Sugar maple cover increased more in treated plots than in untreated plots, although American beech did as well. Species richness increased significantly more in treated plots than in untreated plots, but differences in diversity and evenness were not significantly different because of treatment after 3 years. Multivariate analysis indicated only minor changes in the plant community composition. Results show that mechanical site preparation techniques are a viable option for promoting abundance and maintaining diversity of the ground-layer vegetation in northern hardwood forests.
Stand Density Management Diagram for Jack Pine Stands in Eastern Canada
Authors: Sharma Mahadev , Zhang S.Y.
Published: August 2019

A stand density management diagram was developed for jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) stands using the data obtained from 125 permanent sample plots (PSPs) established in Ontario and 232 PSPs in Quebec, Canada. The diagram was evaluated using data from 40 PSPs established in Ontario. Recently developed and efficient models have been used in constructing the diagram to estimate diameters and heights for the trees for which no diameters or heights were recorded at the time of stand inventory. Relative density indices of 0.15, 0.40, and 0.55 were used, corresponding to the line of approximate crown closure, the limit of productive zone, and the lower limit of competition-related mortality, respectively. If two stand characteristics are known, including mean total tree volume, quadratic mean diameter, trees per hectare, and average dominant height, the others can be readily obtained using the diagram. The consequences of various thinning scenarios can be plotted and visualized in the field without the need for computer simulation.
Interference to Hardwood Regeneration in Northeastern North America: Pin Cherry and Its Effects
Authors: Nyland Ralph D. , Bashant Amy L. , Heitzman Eric F. , Verostek Jane M.
Published: August 2019

Pin cherry grows rapidly in a bright environment, overtopping most desirable hardwood species. Its rapid early development helps to reduce nutrient losses from a site and provides a source of mast for wildlife. Some pin cherry trees live for up to 45–50 years, but their abundanceusually decreases after 30–35 years. Pin cherry begins producing abundant seeds at an early age, and high proportions of these remain viable in the forest floor for up to 6–7 decades. Germination has been linked to high availability of nitrogen (N) in the forest floor, either followingfertilization or increased decomposition of the humus layer. Heavy overstory cutting or natural disturbances that reduce stocking below 50–60 ft2/ac in stands <90 years old will promote N release from the forest floor, resulting in abundant pin cherry within the new cohort.When at high density, pin cherry interferes with the development of most other species, and those of intermediate or low shade tolerance may die. Pin cherry may have a patchy distribution across a stand or form an almost complete canopy cover when well distributed at high densities. Its arrangementmay affect long-term stand composition and development. Where milacres have ≥3 pin cherry ≥3 ft tall, or >1 of them >5 ft in height, a release treatment may prove necessary to ensure good levels of stocking with desirable hardwoods of seedling origin. Landowners should pay particularattention when they find a high pin cherry density across more than 30–40% of the stand area. These criteria may indicate where a release treatment would improve the composition of young hardwood stands.
Butt and Root Decay in Precommercially Thinned SpruceߝFir Stands
Authors: Tian Suzhong , Ostrofsky William D.
Published: August 2019

To test the effect of precommercial thinning (PCT) on butt decay development, 10 commercial thinning size spruceߝfir stands that were precommercially thinned 10ߝ24 years ago and seven unthinned (UT) control stands were assessed for butt decay incidence. The data indicate that PCT did not increase butt decay incidence for either red spruce or balsam fir compared with UT control stands. However, butt decay incidence increased with dbh, height, age, and years of PCT for balsam fir. These relationships were not found for red spruce. No significant PCT treatment effect was found for either species in root decay incidence (RDI) by examining all roots 1.0 cm or greater in diameter of 80 crop trees. RDI of balsam fir increased as root size increased. A significant relationship (r2 = 0.835) exists between RDI and butt decay proportion in the horizontal stump section for balsam fir. To evaluate whether the PCT operation resulted in the removal of butt-decayed stems preferentially, 55 10 × 10 m plots of precommercially thinned spruceߝfir stands were surveyed within 2 years after thinning. A total of 1,426 red spruce stumps; 2,471 balsam fir stumps; 441 retained red spruce trees; and 419 retained balsam fir trees were examined. The results showed that the practice of PCT tended to result in selecting a higher proportion of decayed trees as crop trees. Overall, 5.7% of retained trees and 1.6% of stumps were determined to have decay for red spruce, and 15.8% of retained trees and 5.6% of the stumps had decay for balsam fir.
HeightߝDiameter Equations for 12 Upland Species in the Missouri Ozark Highlands
Authors: Lootens James R. , Larsen David R. , Shifley Stephen R.
Published: August 2019

We calibrated a model predicting total tree height as a function of tree diameter for nine tree species common to the Missouri Ozarks. Model coefficients were derived from nearly 10,000 observed trees. The calibrated model did a good job predicting the mean heightߝdiameter trend for each species (pseudo-R2 values ranged from 0.56 to 0.88), but for a given tree diameter observed tree heights were highly variable. We also present a technique for incorporating the observed variation in tree heights in the predicted values.
Silvicultural Options to Reduce Pine Susceptibility to Attack by a Newly Detected Invasive Species, Sirex noctilio
Authors: Dodds Kevin J. , Cooke Robert R. , Gilmore Daniel W.
Published: August 2019

A nonnative woodwasp of Eurasian origin, Sirex noctilio F., was detected recently in Oswego, New York, infesting Scots, red, and white pine. S. noctilio has caused periodic widespread losses of pine timber resources in several Southern Hemisphere countries and may cause significant damage in pure even-aged stands and overstocked plantations in North America. However, stand management and biological control programs have successfully managed S. noctilio populations in other countries and similar programs are being developed for North America. Until the primary biological control agent, Beddingia siricidicola, a parasitic nematode, is established in North America, forest owners will have to rely solely on silvicultural treatments to reduce the susceptibility of at-risk pine stands to S. noctilio attack. Silvicultural treatments including precommercial thinning, promoting optimal growing conditions for pines on a given site, reducing numbers of susceptible hosts, and consistent monitoring of stands are suggested activities to help protect pine stands from invasion by S. noctilio.
Stand Structure and Composition in a Northern Hardwood Forest after 40 Years of Single-Tree Selection
Authors: Neuendorff Jonathan K. , Nagel Linda M. , Webster Christopher R. , Janowiak Maria K.
Published: August 2019

Uneven-aged northern hardwoods of the Great Lakes region are managed primarily through single-tree selection harvesting. We quantified species composition and stand structure after 40 years of single-tree selection in five stands as compared with three stands that were untreated for 40 years. Relative density and importance value of sugar maple significantly increased under single-tree selection, whereas relative density of yellow birch significantly decreased and eastern hemlock remained unchanged. Contemporary seedling and saplings layers were dominated by sugar maple regardless of treatment, but unmanaged stands contained more species. Diameter distribution varied over time and between unmanaged and managed stands. Increasing-q was the most common distribution shape in 2004, and there was no clear trend toward a negative exponential or rotated sigmoid distribution over time. Our results suggest that long-term single-tree selection may result in regeneration of fewer tree species commonly found in this forest type, with potential implications for future stand structure.
Methods to Convert Local Sampling Coordinates into Geographic Information System/Global Positioning Systems (GIS/GPS)–Compatible Coordinate Systems
Authors: Rudnicki Mark , Meyer Thomas H.
Published: August 2019

Laying out a sampling transect in the field is a common task when researching natural systems and resources. With widespread availability of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), such as the US global positioning system (GPS), it is becoming more common to resurvey legacy transects to establish them in globally referenced coordinate systems such as geodetic latitude/longitude or planimetric systems such as the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) or the State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS). Transforming local coordinates into a globally referenced coordinate system allows (1) disparate legacy surveys to be combined into a common geographic information system (GIS) database, (2) new GPS measurements to be incorporated into that same database, and (3) GPS-based navigation to be used for plot establishment and resampling. This article presents the mathematics necessary to determine the globally referenced planimetric coordinates of established linear, rectangular, or nominally rectangular transects (such as a rhombus) using formulas that are easily implemented on a spreadsheet. In addition, methods are given to determine the planimetric coordinates of new transects.
Surface Compaction Estimates and Soil Sensitivity in Aspen Stands of the Great Lakes States
Authors: Steber Aaron , Brooks Ken , Perry Charles H. , Randy Kolka
Published: August 2019

Aspen forests in the Great Lakes States support much of the regional timber industry. Management-induced soil compaction is a concern because it affects forest health and productivity and soil erosion. Soil compaction increases bulk density and soil strength and can also decrease air and water movement into and through the soil profile. Currently, most inventories, and specifically the Forest Inventory and Analysis program, use qualitative estimates of soil compaction. This study compared qualitative estimates with quantitative measurements on aspen clearcuts in five national forests in the Great Lakes States. Research sites were stratified into classes of high and low potential for soil compaction on the basis of soil texture. Qualitative visual assessments of compaction were made according to Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) phase 3 protocols and compared with physical measurements of bulk density, soil compression strength, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. No differences in compaction between high- and low-risk soils were detected using visual assessments, but quantitative measurements in high-risk, fine-textured soils indicated greater compaction than low-risk, coarse-textured soils. These results illustrate shortcomings in qualitative estimates of compaction made according to FIA phase 3 field protocols. Inexpensive quantitative measurements, such as those taken with a pocket penetrometer, may be sufficient to quantify compaction levels within the plots.
Influence of Demographic Characteristics on Production Practices within the Ohio Maple Syrup Industry
Authors: Graham Gary W. , Goebel P. Charles , Heiligmann Randall B. , Bumgardner Matthew S.
Published: August 2019

Maple syrup production contributes approximately $5 million annually to Ohio's economy and provides supplemental nontimber forest product income for forestland owners. To better understand the factors that influence this important nontimber forest industry in Ohio, including producer heritage, producer age, sap collection methods, size of maple operation, and educational programming, we conducted a detailed survey of all known Ohio maple syrup producers (761 total producers). Over 80% of producers responded to the survey (620 respondents), making our analysis one of the most extensive of a maple industry in North America. In general, most maple operations in Ohio are part-time, family-based enterprises and over 25% of Ohio's maple producers are of Amish heritage. Although we estimate that there are over 400,000 taps in the state, the typical sugarbush is relatively small—the average sugarbush is 27 ac in size and over a third of the operations have fewer than 100 taps. Chi-square analyses did reveal several significant (α = 0.05) associations among producer characteristics. Although Amish producers were significantly younger and had significantly larger operations than their English or non-Amish counterparts (P < 0.001), a higher proportion of English producers reported using tubing collection systems than Amish producers (P = 0.031). Additionally, while larger maple operations tended to use tubing systems more frequently (P < 0.001), we did not detect a significant association between sap collection method (bucket versus tubing) and producer age (P = 0.169). Finally, English producers tend to be older. Older producers (>53 years old), producers using tubing collection systems, and producers with more than 250 taps were significantly more likely to participate in Ohio State University (OSU) Extension educational programming (P ≤ 0.05). These results suggest significant relationships among producer demographics and the characteristics of maple operations in Ohio, and future OSU educational programming should be tailored to reflect these important relationships.
Using Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis Data to Estimate Regional Oak Decline and Oak Mortality
Authors: Kromroy Kathryn W. , Juzwik Jennifer , Castillo Paul , Hansen Mark H.
Published: August 2019

Damage and mortality data are collected as part of the US Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) ongoing assessments of the nation's timberlands. The usefulness and value of FIA tree data in assessing historical levels of oak decline and oak mortality were investigatedfor seven Midwestern states. The data were collected during two periodic inventories conducted between the early 1970s and the mid-1990s. One-tenth to one-third of the oak trees had decline-associated damage in a given inventory, but no trends over time were apparent across the states. Thepercentages of dead trees ranged from less than 1 to 11 across all inventories and states; mortality was higher in the late inventory than the early inventory for all states. This is the first reported attempt to quantify oak decline across the Midwestern Region and it was accomplished using FIA tree data. The major concerns of the approach used are the subjective nature of the damage codes used to tabulate declining oaks and the inconsistencies and inherent subjectivities in the FIA recorded codes. The major drawback for non-FIA researchers is the time required to understand the intricacies of the FIA system.
Accuracy of Tree Grade Projections for Five Appalachian Hardwood Species
Authors: Miller Gary W. , Graves Aaron T. , Gottschalk Kurt W. , Baumgras John E.
Published: August 2019

The potential value increase of individual trees is an important factor in planning effective forest management strategies. Similar to other investments, trees with high potential value increase are retained and allowed to grow, and those with relatively low potential value increaseare harvested so that the proceeds may earn a higher rate of return elsewhere. Tree grade is used to assess the quality and value of wood within a tree; thus, projecting tree grade is an integral part of estimating potential value increase. This study measured the accuracy of projected treegrades over a period of 12–15 years for 588 black cherry, 404 northern red oak, 167 red maple, 191 white and chestnut oaks, and 450 yellow-poplar sawtimber trees in both thinned and unthinned stands. Projected grade was based on surface defects and percent volume deductions for sweep,crook, and rot at the time of the projection with the assumption that the threshold dbh for the highest possible grade would be reached in the future. This approach allows the forest manager to make grade projections based on what is visible and measurable on the tree, even if the tree iscurrently too small to qualify for higher grades. In general, grade projections were somewhat accurate, with 9% of trees higher than the projected grade, 80% projected correctly, and 11% lower than the projected grade. Trees that had a lower-than-projected grade usuallyexhibited additional deductions for percent cull volume and/or new epicormic branches. Grade projections were less accurate for larger, higher-quality trees because requirements for the top grade are more constraining and sensitive to changes in butt log characteristics than lower grades.For black cherry and northern red oak, grade projections in thinned stands were less accurate compared with unthinned stands because of resulting logging wounds or new epicormic branches.
Oak Regeneration Guidelines for the Central Appalachians
Authors: Steiner Kim C. , Finley James C. , Gould Peter J. , Fei Songlin , McDill Marc
Published: August 2019

This article presents the first explicit guidelines for regenerating oaks in the central Appalachians. The objectives of this paper are (1) to describe the research foundation on which the guidelines are based and (2) to provide users with the instructions, data collection forms, supplementarytables, and decision charts needed to apply the guidelines in the field. The principal research foundation for the guidelines is a set of quantitative models that estimate, in advance of harvest, a stand's potential to regenerate oak stocking from advance regeneration and stump sprouts. Regeneration potential is measured by the predicted stocking by oak species, expressed as a percentage of full (100%) stocking, in the new stand in its third decade (21–30 years) after overstory removal. An understory classification system is used in conjunction with the models to help identifypotential barriers to regeneration development. Model results and other data on current stand conditions are used in the decision charts to identify prescriptions for achieving a strong component of oak regeneration after stand harvest. Overstory removals are recommended when the stand's oak regeneration potential is adequate to meet management goals. Otherwise, prescriptions designed to enhance seedling-origin oak regeneration potential are recommended.
Family Forest Landowners' Interest in and Perceptions of Forest Certification: Focus Group Findings from Minnesota
Authors: Leahy Jessica E. , Kilgore Michael A. , Hibbard Calder M. , Donnay Jacob S.
Published: August 2019

Focus groups were organized with individuals owning between 15 and 720 forested acres in northern Minnesota to better identify their understanding of, questions about, and interest in forest certification; factors that would encourage or discourage their participation in certificationprograms; and the types of certification program characteristics they preferred. Family forest landowner participants were generally unfamiliar with the concept of forest certification. They expressed concern about certification costs and benefits, its impact on land-use decisionmaking, eligibility requirements, and program administration. They also expressed clear preferences about how forest certification programs should be tailored to family forest landowners. The availability of financial assistance to help cover initial and ongoing certification costs, assurance that certification will not encumber property rights, and clear and tangible benefits were found to positively influence their interest in participation. The perspectives of other family forest landowners influenced individual attitudes toward certification. Moreover, initial attitudes toward forest certificationonly became more entrenched as landowners were provided additional information about certification—skeptics became more disinterested while those inclined to participate became even more so. Recommendations for foresters, forest policymakers, and forest certification program leaders are presented that would encourage more family forest landowner participation in certification.
Taper, Volume, and Weight Equations for Red Pine in West Virginia
Authors: Jiang Lichun , Brooks John R.
Published: August 2019

Compatible taper, volume, and weight equations were developed for planted red pine in West Virginia. The data were based on stem analysis of 26 trees from West Virginia University Research Forest, located in northern West Virginia. A commonly used segmented polynomial taper equation was chosen because of its balance between prediction accuracy and ease of use. Seemingly unrelated regression was used to simultaneously fit the system of equations for inside and outside bark data. When compared with existing total stem volume equations developed by Fowler (Fowler, G.W., 1997, Individual tree volume equations for red pine in Michigan, North. J. Appl. For. 14:53–58) and by Gilmore et al. (Gilmore, D.W., et al., 2005, Thinning red pine plantations and the Langsaeter hypothesis: A northern Minnesota case study. North, J. Appl. For. 22:19–25), a positive bias was evident that increased directly with stem diameter for trees from this region.
Estimating a Family Forest Landowner's Likelihood of Posting against Trespass
Authors: Snyder Stephanie A. , Kilgore Michael A. , Taff Steven J. , Schertz Joseph M.
Published: August 2019

Hunters and other recreators face challenges to gain access to private forestland in the United States because of an increasing number of landowners posting their land. A landowners' decision to post their land is influenced by a variety of factors, including landowner characteristics, hunter behavior, and parcel attributes. We used a logit model to help understand why family forest landowners in Minnesota post their land against public trespass. Factors that increased the likelihood of posting included younger owners, a perception that allowing access would interfere with one's own hunting, a perception that allowing access would result in damage to one's property, hunting as the primary reason for forestland ownership, larger parcel size, having a management plan, higher property values, and a high percentage of surrounding area open to public hunting. Implications of increased posting by family forest owners on hunting access and wildlife management are discussed.
Forest Landowners' Willingness to Sell Carbon Credits: A Pilot Study
Authors: Fletcher Lena S. , Kittredge David , Stevens Thomas
Published: August 2019

Sequestered carbon is a new forest product that could help private forest owners earn financial returns while keeping their forests intact. Private forest owners are responsible for 78% of forests in Massachusetts, and the carbon these trees sequester could be traded in emerging cap-and-trade carbon markets in the United States. In forming policy about climate change and forestry, it is important to understand the factors that influence the likelihood of landowners choosing to sell sequestered carbon and participate in the carbon marketplace. In this pilot study, we explored the likelihood of Massachusetts forest owners selling carbon sequestered on their forestland. We found that landowners significantly favor higher payments, no withdrawal penalty, and, unexpectedly, longer time commitments. We also found that at current carbon prices, very few participants (less than 7%) would be willing to sell. Additional studies need to be conducted, with a larger sample of respondents, which may elucidate how socioeconomic variables and ownership attitudes influence forest owners' willingness to enroll in carbon markets.
Reducing Sediments from Skid Roads in West Virginia Using Fiber Mats
Authors: Grushecky Shawn T. , Spong Ben D. , McGill David W. , Edwards John W.
Published: August 2019

A research study was established to test the effectiveness of fiber mats and native seed mixtures in reducing soil erosion from newly constructed skid roads in the Elk River watershed in central West Virginia. Six road sections received fiber mat and native grass seed and were pairedwith randomly selected sections of equal grade receiving no treatments. Silt fences with sediment traps were constructed at the downslope terminus of each road section. Sediments were collected from silt traps three times during summer 2005 and 2006. Over the 2-year study period, sedimentswere reduced by 88% on skid trails treated with fiber mats and seeding. Our findings suggest that the use of fiber mats has the potential to significantly reduce sedimentation from skid roads in West Virginia.
Effect of Browsing, Seedbed, and Competition on the Development of Yellow Birch Seedlings in High-Graded Stands
Authors: Elie Jean-Gabriel , Ruel Jean-Claude , Lussier Jean-Martin
Published: August 2019

Many hardwood or mixedwood stands of northeastern North America have been high graded in the past and need restoration treatments to bring them back to an acceptable level of production. Even when early seedling establishment can be secured, further development may be compromised bymany factors. This study looks at the effect of seedbed, browsing, and competition on the growth and survival of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) seedlings that became established after a brushing and scarification treatment applied in high-graded mixedwood stands of Quebec,Canada. The seedbed types studied include 1-m-wide scarified patches, 2-m-wide scarified patches, and mounds. Browsing impact was assessed by placing fences around half of the plots. Half of the plots were released from competing vegetation. Browsing by hare (Lepus americanus) was seenas a major factor controlling seedling development between 3 and 6 years after scarification. It reduced both survival and growth and obscured the effect of other factors. In the absence of browsing, competition had a major effect on mounds but not on scarified patches. Mounds were found tohave the best growth potential when competition and browsing were controlled. The scarified patches had the best growth when competition and browsing were allowed. Even though mortality was somewhat higher on scarified patches, initial densities were very high and still provide more seedlingsthan required.
Crown Class Dynamics of Oaks, Yellow-Poplar, and Red Maple after Commercial Thinning in Appalachian Hardwoods: 20-Year Results
Authors: Rentch James S. , Miller Gary W. , Gottschalk Kurt W.
Published: August 2019

Silvicultural strategies are often planned to favor the growth and survival of desired species until they reach a competitive position in the upper canopy. Once desired species reach the upper canopy, they can persist and provide a variety of benefits for decades. Later, they can serveas a source of natural regeneration for sustaining species composition. Although information is available for promoting desired advance seedlings in the understory of mature stands and culturing desired saplings in the upper canopy of young stands, additional information is needed on promoting desired species at mid-rotation, when the stand first reaches commercial size classes. Crown class transition rates for a total of 2,668 white and chestnut oaks, northern red oak, scarlet and black oaks, yellow-poplar, red maple, blackgum, and black birch were observed for 20 years in a 53-year-old central Appalachian mixed-hardwood stand. Treatments included three residual stand densities after commercial thinning and an unthinned control. In general, the thinning treatments reduced mortality, increased crown class retention rates of codominant trees, and increased the ascension rates of trees in the intermediate crown class. After thinning, codominant trees exhibited the crown class stability of dominant trees, and intermediate trees exhibited greater survival and ascension to the upper canopy compared with unthinned controls. Very few suppressed trees improved canopyposition in thinning treatments; however, thinning did tend to reduce mortality of these trees. Crown class transition rates are presented to help forest managers understand how commercial thinning treatments can affect the composition of the upper canopy in the latter stages of stand development.
Minimum Tree Size and Interpretation of Stand Structure in Uneven-Aged Northern Hardwoods
Authors: Janowiak Maria , Nagel Linda M. , Webster Christopher
Published: August 2019

Uneven-aged management of northern hardwoods frequently relies on diameter distributions in evaluating and controlling stand structure. However, the minimum tree diameter used to analyze diameter distributions varies among studies and may affect the interpretation of distribution shapes and, subsequently, stand structure. It has been suggested that the use of larger minimum diameters in the construction of these distributions would cause rotated sigmoid stand structures to exhibit a negative exponential distribution shape. To test this hypothesis, we constructed diameter distributions using minimum diameters of 3.0 and 13.0 cm for seven northern hardwood stands. Differences in distribution shape were observed only in unmanaged stands, in which three distribution shapes classified as rotated sigmoid using a 3.0-cm minimum diameter were classified as increasing-q when the 13.0-cm minimum diameter was used.
Northern White-Cedar Regeneration Dynamics on the Penobscot Experimental Forest in Maine: 40-Year Results
Authors: Larouche Catherine , Kenefic Laura S. , Ruel Jean-Claude
Published: August 2019

The objective of this study was to assess the long-term dynamics of northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) seedling and sapling growth and mortality on the Penobscot Experimental Forest in Maine. Data collected between 1965 and 2005 in four twice-replicated partial cutting treatments were analyzed. White-cedar seedlings established in all treatments despite relatively high white tailed-deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) population densities. However, although it appears that regeneration cohorts of associated softwoods increased in size over time, the white-cedar cohort did not. Ingrowth of white-cedar from the seedling to sapling stage was lower than the combined rates of sapling mortality and recruitment to the pole stage; sapling density of this species in 2005 was >80% less than it was at the start of the measurement period. Sapling mortality was high, and recruitment to larger size classes was low, although mortality decreased and recruitment increased as sapling size increased. Browsing was prolific; 90% of white-cedar seedlings and small saplings showed signs of browse in 2005. Overall, white-cedar sapling growth was slow, with an estimated 100 years needed to grow from small sapling to merchantable size in the study stands. Efforts to release white-cedar saplings through precommercial treatment and control of browsing pressure are recommended.
Forest Biomass Harvesting in the Northeast: A Special-Needs Operation?
Authors: Benjamin Jeffrey G. , Lilieholm Robert J. , Coup Charles E.
Published: August 2019

There is growing interest in harvesting forest biomass to meet the needs of bioenergy and bioproducts facilities in the Northeast. This interest is accompanied by increased concern over the potential impacts of biomass removals on forest ecosystems. Debates over biomass proposals have revealed a considerable level of confusion over the term biomass harvest, much of which stems from ambiguity surrounding the term forest biomass. Indeed, all forest material removed during harvest is forest biomass, yet many view only a small portion of this—typically low-value chipped material—as biomass. Since much of this material is destined for use as energy, we feel that communication among the public, foresters, academics, and industry representatives would improve by referring to forest biomass of this nature as what it really is: energy wood. Once terms are clarified, it is easier to understand how concerns with market dynamics, soil productivity, water quality, and forest biodiversity can be addressed through forest policy development.
Historical Stem Development of Northern White-Cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) in Maine
Authors: Hofmeyer Philip V. , Kenefic Laura S. , Seymour Robert S.
Published: August 2019

We used stem analysis to quantify early height and diameter growth rates of 80 northern white-cedar trees (17.4‐55.0 cm dbh) harvested in 2005 and 2006 in central and northern Maine. It took an average of 42 years (range, 9‐86 years) for sampled trees to grow from stumpheight to sapling size, 96 years to grow to pole size (range, 28‐171), 140 years to grow to sawtimber size (range, 54‐238), and 170 years to reach shingle-stock size (range, 81‐317). Approximately 80% of sampled trees had initial growth suppression followed by release,suggesting they originated as advance regeneration. The mean period of initial suppression exceeded 60 years, and some trees responded to release after nearly 200 years. Although growth rates were generally slow, the variability observed suggests the potential for northern white-cedar bothto withstand prolonged periods of suppression and to grow rapidly under favorable conditions. Observed patterns suggest that this species might respond well to uneven-aged or shelterwood silvicultural systems; foresters are recommended to encourage advance regeneration and emphasize protectionof the residual northern white-cedar understory during harvest operations.
A Decrease in Oak Litter Mass Changes Nutrient Dynamics in the Litter Layer of a Central Hardwood Forest
Authors: Piatek Kathryn B. , Munasinghe Prinith , Peterjohn William T. , Adams Mary Beth , Cumming Jonathan R.
Published: August 2019

The abundance of oak is declining in the central hardwood forest, resulting in structural and functional changes in the litter layer. We hypothesized that a decline in oak litter mass associated with a lower oak component will result in an increase in nutrient cycling rates in the litterlayer. To test this hypothesis, we compared mass loss and C, N, P, and Ca dynamics in pure oak litter and in litter made of 48% oak plus 52% five other deciduous species in a central hardwood forest in West Virginia. In 12 months of litter decomposition, pure oak litter decomposed more slowly,retained more C and N, immobilized more and subsequently did not release P, and released less Ca than litter consisting of 48% oak plus five other species. Annual stand-level nutrient fluxes in pure oak and in 48% oak plus five other species litter were correspondingly +4.1 and −4.4kg ha−1 N, +0.22 and −0.17 kg ha−1 P, and −9.3 and −16.7 kg ha−1 Ca. These results indicate that a decline in oak will cause more rapid nutrient cycling in the litter layer of affected central hardwood stands.