bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth After Thinning a 35-Year-Old Natural Stand to Different Loblolly Pine and Hardwood Basal Areas
Authors: Shelton Michael G. , Murphy Paul A.
Published: August 2019

Growth was monitored for 4 yr in a thinned stand in southern Arkansas with three pine basal areas (70, 85, and 100 ft2/ac) and three hardwood basal areas (0, 15, and 30 ft2/ac); pretreatment basal areas averaged 119 and 33 ft2/ac for pines and hardwoods, respectively. Treatments were arranged in a 3 X 3 factorial randomized complete block design with three replicates, yielding 27 permanent 0.20 ac plots. Growth variables were regressed with residual pine and hardwood basal areas. Pine basal area and volume growth increased with the pine stocking level after thinning and decreased with the level of retained hardwoods. For basal area and merchantable volume, hardwood growth largely compensated for losses in the pine component, and thus, hardwood retention had little net effect on the total growth of the stand. The greatest impact of hardwood retention was on the stand's sawtimber growth, because hardwoods did not contribute to this product class. Each 1 ft2/ac of retained hardwood basal area reduced pine sawtimber growth by 6 to 10 bd ft Doyle/ac/yr, depending on the pine stocking. Because large differences existed in the value of timber products, retaining 15 and 30 ft2/ac of hardwoods reduced the value of timber production by 13 and 24%, respectively, at 4 yr after thinning. South. J. Appl. For. 21(4):168-174.
Harvesting Cost Implications of Changes in the Size of Timber Sales in Georgia
Authors: Greene W. Dale , Harris Thomas G. , DeForest Christopher E. , Wang Jingxin
Published: August 2019

The size of individual forest stands and timber sales in Georgia is slowly declining. The trend runs counter to the minimum sale size sought by harvesting systems where increased capital requirements are making small sales more expensive to perform. Our most common systems will face increasingly expensive logging chances if current trends in sale size continue. South. J. Appl. For. 21(4):193-198.
Site Productivity Assessment for Cherrybark Oak on Minor Stream Bottoms in Mississippi: A Comparison of Methods
Authors: Belli Keith L. , Hodges John D. , Goelz Jeffery C. G.
Published: August 2019

A study was conducted to test the accuracy of two soil-based site quality estimation methods against actual site index values for cherrybark oak located on minor stream bottoms in Mississippi. At the same time, the potential effects of slight changes in topographic position on estimated site quality and observed soil characteristics were examined. Of the two soil-based methods, only one system provided accurate estimates of observed site index. However, both soil-based methods proved to be more sensitive than observed site index to changes in topographic position. Finally, the soil characteristics found to have the most potential influence on estimates of site quality for cherrybark oak were depth to mottling, topsoil depth, and soil texture. South. J. Appl. For. 22(1):7-10.
Survival of Slash Pine Having Fusiform Rust Disease Varies with Year of First Stem Infection and Severity
Authors: Froelich R. C. , Schmidtling R. C.
Published: August 2019

Probabilities of death of young slash pine infected by fusiform rust pathogen varied with timing and severity of infection. Trees in nine slash pine plantations varying widely in site quality and initial number of trees per acre had similar probabilities of death from rust. About 90% of trees with stem infections in the first three growing seasons died by age 15 if the gall spanned more than 50% of the circumference of the stem by age 5. If 50% gall encirclement occurred after age 5, mortality rates dropped to about 30% at age 15. Where first stem infection occurred after the fifth year, probability of death was essentially the same as for rust-free trees. Methods are given for using timing-severity data to estimate future stocking. South. J. Appl. For. 22(2):96-100.
Pattern of Growth of Sapwood, Heartwood, and Stem Volume of Open-Grown Eastern Redcedar in Grasslands
Authors: Alemayehu Dejene , Engle David M. , Wittwer Robert F. , Anderson Steve
Published: August 2019

The relationship of sapwood width, heartwood width, and stem volume with tree age was studied in 141 open-grown eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) trees in central, eastern, and western Oklahoma. The rate of growth of sapwood and heartwood and the increase in stem volume were slow up to 15 to 20 yr of age and increased thereafter at an exponential rate until about age 27. These data reinforce the recommendation that control measures applied to invading eastern redcedar should be taken when the trees are less than about 10 yr old or less than 2 m tall. Allowing the trees to grow for commercial harvest may present a management alternative after the trees are 15 to 20 yr old. South. J. Appl. For. 22(3):169-174.
Effect of Time Elapsed after Prescribed Burning in Longleaf Pine Stands on Potential Prey of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
Authors: New Kirsten C. , Hanula James L.
Published: August 2019

The effects of dormant and growing season prescribed burns on the potential arthropod prey of the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) were studied in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) stands on the upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Sampling was conducted 0, 1, 2, or 3 yr post-burn. Stands were burned once during the winters of 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994 or in the summer of 1992. Four types of traps sampled arthropods in the litter layer, the herbaceous understory, and on the bole of pine trees. Woodpecker prey abundance and biomass were sampled continuously from June 30, 1993 to June 30, 1994. Overall arthropod diversity was sampled seasonally in June, October, January, and April of the same year. The different trap types had similar arthropod diversity and evenness, but most had low faunal overlap which indicates that they effectively sampled different parts of the arthropod community. When captures from all trap and prey types were combined for each plot no significant differences were found among winter burned plots or between winter and summer burned plots. However, certain prey types were affected by burning. Among stands burned in winter, spider abundance was highest in samples from the soil/litter layer of stands burned 3 yr prior to sampling. Comparison of stands burned in winter 1992 to those burned in the summer showed that the winter 1992 burns had higher spider and ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) biomass on the tree boles. Spiders appeared to be the only group affected by winter burning while spiders and ants were affected by the summer burning. In general, time elapsed after the prescribed burns were applied had little effect on the primary arthropod prey of the red-cockaded woodpecker. South. J. Appl. For. 22(3):175-183.
Comparisons of Modeled Height Predictions to Ocular Height Estimates
Authors: Bechtold W.A. , Zarnoch S.J. , Burkman W.G.
Published: August 2019

Equations used by USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis projects to predict individual tree heights on the basis of species and dbh were improved by the addition of mean overstory height. However, ocular estimates of total height by field crews were more accurate than the statistically improved models, especially for hardwood species. Height predictions from the improved equations attained the desired measurement quality objective only 57% of the time, while ocular estimates achieved the desired accuracy 75% of the time. South. J. Appl. For. 22(4):216-221.
Effects of Root Morphology on Nursery and First-Year Field Growth of Rooted Cuttings of Loblolly Pine
Authors: Goldfarb Barry , Surles Scott E. , Thetford Mack , Blazich Frank A.
Published: August 2019

Stem cuttings of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were rooted in a greenhouse and then scored for the number of roots per rooted cutting, the number of vertically oriented roots per rooted cutting, and symmetry of the arrangement of adventitious roots on the lower stem. Rooted cuttings were transplanted to a nursery bed, grown for 7 months, lifted and rescored, transplanted to a field location, and then measured after 1 yr in the field.

Shoot height after the rooting period was correlated weakly with the number of roots per rooted cutting, but not with the number of vertical roots or root system symmetry. Nursery culture slightly reduced the number of roots per cutting and root system symmetry. Root orientation changed dramatically as roots elongated, with 94% of all roots scored as vertical after nursery growth. Shoot height after the period of nursery growth was still correlated weakly with root number, but not with the number of vertical roots. Rooted cuttings with symmetrical root systems were slightly taller than cuttings with asymmetrical root systems after growth in the nursery. After 1 yr in the field, shoot height was no longer correlated with root number. On average, cuttings with symmetrical root systems were only 2 mm taller than cuttings with asymmetrical root systems. These early growth data suggest it is not beneficial to impose culling criteria for cuttings rooted in a greenhouse and transplanted to a nursery based on the root system architecture at the time of rooting. However, growth and stability of rooted cuttings over a longer time period must be assessed. South. J. Appl. For. 22(4): 231-234.
Impacts of Thinning Strategies on Financial Returns from Yellow-Poplar Stands
Authors: Pelkki Matthew H.
Published: August 2019

In the central and southern Appalachian region of the United States, yellow-poplar is an important timber resource for the sawmill and composite wood industries. A dynamic programming optimization algorithm was used to evaluate financial returns from various thinning strategies on yellow-poplar stands. Improvement thinning was found to increase long-term returns more than any other thinning strategy on most combinations of site and stand quality. Only on a high site index stand with a stem distribution dominated by high quality trees was thinning from above found to be the most valuable strategy. When stands have low or average stem quality distributions, the typical rotation has one to two thinnings removing 20% to 35% of the basal area in each thinning. Timing of the initial improvement thinning ranges from 22-32 yr, and occurs earlier in higher site index stands. In stands of high stem quality, one to five thinnings removing 20% to 40% of the basal area are employed, and rotation length increases as production shifts to sawtimber. Stands with higher site index and stem quality distributions have higher numbers of thinnings. This research demonstrates the value of intermediate treatments in improving financial returns from yellow-poplar. South. J. Appl. For. 23(2):69-77.
Assessing the Retention Potential of Conservation Reserve Program Practices in Alabama
Authors: Onianwa Okwudili O. , Wheelock Gerald C. , Dubois Mark R. , Warren Sarah T.
Published: August 2019

Conservation reserve program (CRP) participants in Alabama were surveyed to determine the probable utilization of CRP acres should the contracts expire without opportunity for renewal. From over 9000 contracts established between 1986 and 1995, 594 contracts were randomly selected and surveyed for the study. Two hundred and fourteen surveys were completed and returned. Of these, 204 (34%) were usable. Results indicate that 90% of CRP tree acres would be retained in trees while nearly 60% of CRP grass acres would be converted to row crop production. In addition, there are no significant differences in the response between the minority and white participants with regard to the intended use of CRP acres. Therefore, for sustained mitigation of soil loss and reduction of excess production capacity, tree planting as a conservation practice choice should be advocated and encouraged. South. J. Appl. For. 23(2):83-87.
Estimating Financial Returns from Mid-Rotation Release in Coastal Plain Loblolly Pine Plantations
Authors: Caulfield Jon P. , Shiver Barry D. , Pienaar Leon V. , Quicke Harold E.
Published: August 2019

Financial rates of return are estimated for mid-rotation release from hardwood competition for Coastal Plain loblolly pine plantations. Economic benefits were measured against the costs required to obtain those benefits. A base case scenario was employed to approximate the average initial stand conditions of an existing release study. Product volumes were projected for released and nonreleased conditions for a maximum rotation length of 30 yr. Three release levels, 95%, 75%, and 50%, were simulated. Annualized rates of return were calculated from age 10 for each 5 yr period up to age 30. Sensitivity tests estimated how changing release age, maximum height response, and timber product prices influenced results. South. J. Appl. For. 23(2):94-99.
Pitch Canker in Young Loblolly Pines: Influence of Precommercial Thinning and Fertilization on Disease Incidence and Severity
Authors: Blakeslee G.M. , Jokela E.J. , Hollis C.H. , Wilson D.S. , Lante W.D. , Allen J.E.
Published: August 2019

Pitch canker disease affects southern pines, causing shoot dieback, stem deformation, and reduced growth. Disease occurrence is influenced by genetic resistance, abiotic and biotic environmental factors, and cultural practices. In young loblolly pine plantations with significant disease occurrence, options for disease control must focus primarily on silvicultural practices such as precommercial thinning or fertilization. In this study, cumulative disease incidence levels of 90-98% in the control, fertilize-only, and fertilize + thin treatments were reduced to 64% by precommercial thinning. Similarly, cumulative disease severity was reduced by 43% in the thin-only treatment. The positive effects of precommercial thinning on disease occurrence and severity were most evident during conditions of severe disease outbreak. Fertilization with potassium plus micronutrients did not suppress disease occurrence or severity and when combined with thinning, potassium plus micronutrients increased disease incidence by 50% over the thin-only treatment. The mechanisms responsible for these effects are not clearly understood but may reflect silvicultural influences on physiologically active defense mechanisms. South. J. Appl. For. 23(3):139-143.
Prescribed Fire Affects Eastern White Pine Recruitment and Survival on Eastern Kentucky Ridgetops
Authors: Blankenship Beth A. , Arthur Mary A.
Published: August 2019

Successful fire prevention and suppression efforts during the past 50 yr have resulted in the proliferation of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) in the understory of oak-pine forests on the Cumberland Plateau. Along with red maple (Acer rubrum L.), increasing density of eastern white pine in these forests signals a change in plant species composition from species adapted to periodic surface fires, such as oaks (Quercus spp.) and yellow pines (P. echinata Miller and P. rigida Miller), to species adapted to longer fire-free intervals. In the Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF) in eastern Kentucky, the USDA Forest Service has reintroduced fire to these ridgetop ecosystems. In March 1995 and March 1996, single prescribed fires were conducted on three different ridgetops in the Red River Gorge of the DBNF. Diameter and age of white pine stems were recorded prior to burning, two growing seasons post-burn (for 1995 and 1996 fires), and three growing seasons post-burn (for 1995 fires only). Nearly all white pine less than 2.0 cm dbh were killed after a single prescribed fire, and significant mortality (P < 0.05) was measured in size classes up to 6 cm dbh. Post-burn regeneration of white pine, however, was abundant at each site. Therefore, a single prescribed burn affected the age structure of white pine but will not have an important influence on long-term species composition of these stands. A fire return interval of at least 10 to 20 yr will be required to control white pine competition with fire-adapted species on the ridgetop ecosystems of the DBNF. South. J. Appl. For. 23(3): 144-150.
A Growth and Yield Model Incorporating Hardwood Competition for Natural Loblolly Pine Stands in the Georgia Piedmont
Authors: Martin Stacey W. , Brister Graham H.
Published: August 2019

Using 5 yr remeasurement data from even-aged natural loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands in the Georgia Piedmont, a system of growth equations was developed to project pine yield over time that accounts for hardwood competition. In this system, the increase in the proportion of hardwood basal area over time is estimated, then the projected pine basal area and trees per acre are adjusted inversely to account for this increase. The parameter estimates for this system ensure compatibility between volume prediction and projection equations and the proportion of hardwood basal area, pine basal area, dominant height, and trees per acre projection equations. The whole-stand growth and yield system developed here coupled with published merchantable yield equations allow for the evaluation of the impact of hardwoods on future stand yield and product distributions. The results indicate that the impact of hardwood competition on pine yield is substantial and occurs mainly as a reduction in sawtimber volume. South. J. Appl. For. 16(3):179-185.
Stem Sinuosity, Tree Size, and Pest Injury of Machine-Planted Loblolly Pine with Bent versus Straight Taproots
Authors: Harrington Timothy B. , Gatch Jason A. , Price Terry S.
Published: August 2019

Twenty-four machine-planted stands of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) of ages 3 to 10 yr were sampled near Athens, GA, to compare stem sinuosity, tree size, and pest injury of trees with bent versus straight taproots. Based on a 0- to 8-point index, the average level of stem sinuosity was medium (X = 2.6; n = 1,327 trees). Trees of high or low stem sinuosity index were identified near each of ten points per site, and one was selected to best represent each level (n = 240 pairs). Seventy-two pairs were excavated, and of these, 62 and 82 trees had bent and straight taproots, respectively. Levels of stem sinuosity were medium or high for 77% of trees with bent taproots, while they were low for 71% of trees with straight taproots (chi-square P = 0.001). Trees with bent taproots were 7% to 9% smaller in stem diameter and height, while their stem sinuosity index was over twice that of trees with straight taproots (P = 0.01). Taproot azimuth did not differ significantly (P > 0.20) from planting row azimuth, indicating that bent taproots from machine planting remained confined to the planting slit. Although biological mechanisms were not identified, results indicate a potentially problematic association between bent taproots and reduced stem quality of loblolly pine. South. J. Appl. For. 23(4):197-202.
Early Growth Responses of Slash and Loblolly Pine Following Fertilization and Herbaceous Weed Control Treatments at Establishment
Authors: Jokela Eric J. , Wilson Duncan S. , Allen James E.
Published: August 2019

Data from 21 regional experiments, established using a common study design, were analyzed to examine 5 and 8 yr growth responses and interactions between fertilizer and herbaceous competition control treatments applied to newly established plantations of slash (Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) and loblolly pine (P. taeda L.) in the southeastern lower Coastal Plain. Eleven experiments were with slash pine and the remaining 10 with loblolly pine. The study sites were predominantly found on CRIFF (Cooperative Research in Forest Fertilization, Univ. of Florida)A, B, C, D, and E group soils. The four treatments examined were (1) Control, no treatment; (2) Fertilizer (Fert) only, 250 lb/ac diammonium phosphate; (3) Herbaceous weed control (Herb) only, 1 quart/ac Velpar® (hexazinone) + 4 oz/ac Oust® (sulfometuron methyl); and (4) Fertilizer + Herbaceous weed control. Fifth-year survival rates for slash pine averaged 91% among all sites and were not significantly affected by silvicultural treatments or CRIFF soil groups. Loblolly pine survival rates were similarly unaffected by the Fert and Herb treatments; however, loblolly pine survival was lowest on CRIFF C group soils and most likely attributable to establishment practices rather than soil differences. The percentages of loblolly pine sites exhibiting significant volume responses at age 5 yr were 60% for Fert only, 40% for Herb only, and 100% for the Fert + Herb treatment; corresponding treatment responses for slash pine were 36%, 45%, and 64%, respectively. In the majority of tests (76%, both species), the Fert and Herb treatments were additive in nature, suggesting that each treatment was independent relative to its effects on volume growth. After 8 yr, loblolly pine volume responses for the Fert + Herb treatment over the control averaged 100% on CRIFF A group soils (1430 ft3/ac vs. 713 ft3/ac) and 52% on CRIFF C and D group soils (688 ft3/ac vs. 452 ft3/ac); corresponding treatment responses for slash pine on similar soils averaged 29% (645 ft3/ac vs. 499 ft3/ac) and 10% (805 ft3/ac vs. 733 ft3/ac), respectively. The early growth responses due to treatment declined between ages 5 and 8 yr, especially for the Herb only treatment with loblolly pine. Results from these studies suggest that growth responses were generally commensurate with management intensity, except for slash pine on sites with good inherent growth potential. Additional silvicultural inputs, in the form of midrotation fertilizer applications, would be necessary to sustain the early growth benefits afforded by the time of planting fertilizer and herbaceous weed control treatments, especially with loblolly pine on comparable sites. South. J. Appl. For. 24(1):23-30.
Response of Advance Cherrybark Oak Reproduction to Midstory Removal and Shoot Clipping
Authors: Lockhard Brian R. , Hodges John D. , Gardiner Emile S.
Published: August 2019

Midstory competition control and shoot clipping have been proposed to increase the vigor and height of advance bottomland oak reproduction. Results from a study in east-central Mississippi showed that advance cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.) released from midstory competition had greater survival than nonreleased seedlings, 64% and 48%, respectively, 9 yr after treatment. Released seedlings were also 2.5-3.4 ft taller than nonreleased seedlings depending on site. However, this significant growth response was not observed until 3 to 5 yr after release. Clipping oak seedlings at the time of release did not result in greater seedling heights after 9 yr, but subsequent sprouts were similar in height to unclipped seedlings. Midstory competition control is recommended to increase the vigor and height of advance bottomland oak reproduction. This practice may need to be conducted 5 to 10 yr prior to final overstory removal to maximize height growth of advance reproduction. South J. Appl. For. 24(1):45-50.
Examination of the Arborsonic Decay Detector for Detecting Bacterial Wetwood in Red Oaks
Authors: Xu Zical , Leininger Theodor D. , Williams James G. , Tainter Frank H.
Published: August 2019

The Arborsonic Decay Detector (ADD; Fujikura Europe Limited, Wiltshire, England) was used to measure the time it took an ultrasound wave to cross 280 diameters in red oak trees with varying degrees of bacterial wetwood or heartwood decay. Linear regressions derived from the ADD readings of trees in Mississippi and South Carolina with wetwood and heartwood decay yielded significantly different lines for some combinations and locations. The results of this study suggest that the ADD cannot yet be used to detect wetwood in oak trees with enough certainty to be of practical use to a forester or land manager. However, regression lines describing ADD readings of trees with wetwood at both study sites were located between those of healthy trees and decayed trees suggesting some, albeit limited, ability to differentiate wetwood trees. The use of ultrasound to detect bacterial wetwood in red oaks may be improved by designing a system that allows measurement of signal amplitude and evaluation of waveform patterns. The ability to successfully detect trees with heartwood decay was better, especially for trees with advanced decay. South. J. Appl. For. 24(1):6-10.
Vegetative Response to 37 Years of Seasonal Burning on a Louisiana Longleaf Pine Site
Authors: Haywood James D. , Harris Finis L. , Grelen Harold E. , Pearson Henry A.
Published: August 2019

From 1962 through 1998, 20 prescribed burns were applied in a natural stand of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) to determine the effects of various fire regimes on the forest plant community. The original longleaf seedlings regenerated from the 1955 seed crop and were growing in a grass-dominated cover when the study began. By 1999, prescribed burning in March and May resulted in a significantly greater stocking of longleaf pine (203 trees/ac) than on the unburned and July burned treatments (72 trees/ac) (α = 0.05). Fire arrested the growth of natural loblolly pine (P. taeda L.) and hardwoods, but loblolly pines and hardwoods of at least 4 in. dbh added 70 ft2/ac of basal area on the unburned plots. Thus, total woody basal area was significantly greater on the unburned (117 ft2/ac) and May burned (132 ft2/ac) treatments than on the July burned treatment (66 ft2/ac); basal area was intermediate on the March burned treatment (97 ft2/ac). Pine volume was 4,315, 2,870, 2,652, and 1,970 ft3 inside-bark/ac on the May burned, March burned, unburned, and July burned treatments, respectively, but these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.06). There was only 11 lb/ac of herbaceous plants on the unburned plots. Herbaceous plants averaged 993 lb/ac on the three burned treatments, with pinehill bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium var. divergens [Hack] Gould) being the most common herbaceous plant. We believe the chief influence of burning in this natural longleaf pine forest was not on pine yield but how fires influenced overall stand structure and species composition. South. J. Appl. For. 25(3):122–130.
Incorporating Thinning Response into a Loblolly Pine Stand Simulator
Authors: Westfall James A. , Burkhart Harold E.
Published: August 2019

Effects of thinning, such as increased diameter growth and decreased mortality in the residual stand, are largely the result of increased tree vigor induced by a decreased level of competition. These relationships are reflected in the models that are central to PTAEDA2, a growth and yield simulator developed for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations. A long-term thinning study served as a basis for attempting to improve the predictive output of PTAEDA2. The growth models were refit using data from plots that received different thinning intensity treatments. Height increment and mortality models were found to need no additional refinement to account for response changes due to effects of thinning. The refit diameter increment and crown ratio models in PTAEDA2 could not account for thinning effects in their original form, and thinning response functions that exhibit proper behavioral response were added to these models. Models were evaluated individually and in combinations in a reduced growth simulator that contained the growth subroutines from PTAEDA2. Results showed significant improvements in predictive ability when using the diameter increment model with thinning response variable. There were no significant improvements in crown ratio prediction when the crown ratio model with thinning response variable was utilized. The thinning response modifications resulted in unanticipated model behavior when incorporated into the stand simulator, indicating that careful evaluation of the behavior of stand-level prediction is needed. South. J. Appl. For. 25(4):159–164.
Does Prescribed Burning Have a Place in Regenerating Uneven-Aged Loblolly-Shortleaf Pine Stands?
Authors: Cain Michael D. , Shelton Michael G.
Published: August 2019

Before the 1981 growing season, a study was installed in southeastern Arkansas to examine the effects of three dormant-season burn intervals (low, moderate, and high frequency) and an unburned treatment on natural regeneration in uneven-aged stands of loblolly and shortleaf pines (Pinus taeda andP. echinata, respectively). Merchantable pine basal areas were maintained by harvesting on a 5 or 6 yr cutting cycle. When the study began, hardwoods greater than 1 in. dbh were injected with herbicide on all plots. During the next 19 yr, there were eight high frequency, four moderate frequency, and three low frequency prescribed burns. In 1991, the unburned plots received a single, broadcast-herbicide treatment. Single-tree selection harvests were conducted in 1982, 1987, 1992, and 1997. Through 1999 (19 yr), herbicides applied at 10 yr intervals were more effective than dormant-season burns for enhancing the growth of submerchantable pines. Although recurring winter burns tended to stop the progression of both pines and hardwoods from seedling to sapling size classes, the data suggest that properly timed dormant-season burns might be used to secure natural pine regeneration in selection management. South. J. Appl. For. 26(3):117–123.
Systemic Insecticide Injections for Control of Cone and Seed Insects in Loblolly Pine Seed Orchards—2 Year Results
Authors: Grosman Donald M. , Upton William W. , McCook Frank A. , Billings Ronald F.
Published: August 2019

Three systemic insecticide treatments, emamectin benzoate alone, imidacloprid alone, and a combination of emamectin benzoate and thiamethoxam, were injected one or two times into loblolly pine,Pinus taeda L., during a 2 yr period in a seed orchard in east Texas. Single injections of treatments containing emamectin benzoate reduced coneworm (Dioryctria spp.) damage by 94–97% during the study period. A second injection after 1 yr did not improve protection. Imidacloprid also significantly reduced coneworm damage in 1999, but not in 2000. Significant reductions in damage from pine seed bugs (Tetyra bipunctata Say andLeptoglossus corculus Herrich-Schaffer) and an increase in the number of full seeds per cone resulted from imidacloprid and thiamethoxam treatments and to a lesser extent from emamectin benzoate. Yearly injections of imidacloprid or thiamethoxam were required to maintain protection against seed bugs. The best overall treatment, two injections of emamectin benzoate plus thiamethoxam, reduced cone and seed losses from insects by 86%. South. J. Appl. For. 26(3):146–152.
A System to Derive Optimal Tree Diameter Increment Models from the Eastwide Forest Inventory Data Base (EFIDB)
Authors: Bragg Don C.
Published: August 2019

This article is an introduction to the computer software used by the Potential Relative Increment (PRI) approach to optimal tree diameter growth modeling. These DOS programs extract qualified tree and plot data from the Eastwide Forest Inventory Data Base (EFIDB), calculate relative tree increment, sort for the highest relative increments by diameter class, and generate an ASCII file for post-processing in any software package capable of customized ordinary least squares regression. South. J. Appl. For. 26(4):214–221.
Differences in Surface Water Quality Draining Four Road Surface Types in the Southern Appalachians
Authors: Clinton Barton D. , Vose James M.
Published: August 2019

Improved and unimproved roads can be the primary source of stream sediment in forested watersheds. We assessed differences in production of total suspended solids (TSS; ppm) from four road surface conditions in a Southern Appalachian watershed: (1) a 2-yr-old paved surface (P), (2) an improved gravel surface with controlled drainage and routine maintenance (RG), (3) an improved gravel surface with erosion and sediment control structures installed and routine maintenance (IG), and (4) an unimproved poorly maintained gravel surface (UG). Variation was high among and within road surface types. The P surface generated the least amount of TSS, which was comparable to control sites, while the UG surface generated the most. The P surface produced significantly less TSS than the UG surface, but not less than the IG and RG surfaces. Variation among road surface types was related to TSS travel distance below the road, precipitation amount, time of year, and the existence of functioning erosion and sediment control structures. TSS decreased with travel distance (P = -81% over 38.5 m, IG = -30% over 30.5 m, RG = -89% over 39.4 m, and UG = -22% over 28.1 m). Also in this study we assessed the delivery of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH; ppm) from the P surface and found concentrations of < 0.5 ppm, which are well below published USEPA and NC DENR TPH standards for sediment. Paving is an attractive option for reducing maintenance costs and sediment production and transport; however, levels of TPH from freshly applied asphalt are unknown. South. J. Appl. For. 27(2):100–106.
Longleaf Pine Restoration: Implications for Landscape-Level Effects on Bird Communities in the Lower Gulf Coastal Plain
Authors: Tucker James W. , Hill Geoffrey E. , Holler Nicholas R.
Published: August 2019

The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem of the southeastern United States is among the most heavily degraded of all ecosystems. Less than 1% of the original longleaf pine forests remain as old-growth stands. Eglin Air Force Base (Eglin) in northwest Florida contains the largest remaining extent of longleaf pine, but much of this habitat has been degraded through fire suppression, selective logging, and planting off-site species of pines. We examined the distribution of bird species among habitats during spring and fall 1994–1995 to assess the influence of large-scale habitat restoration on bird communities across the landscape. During both spring and fall, species richness and relative abundance of neotropical migrants were greatest in oak hammocks and riparian habitats. During spring, the abundance of resident species was greatest in barrier island scrub and flatwoods, but species richness of residents also was high in oak hammocks. During fall, both species richness and abundance of residents were greatest in oak hammocks and flatwoods. Analyses of abundance for individual species (both neotropical migrants and residents) suggested that each habitat examined was important for ≥1 species. An analysis examining the importance of habitats for conservation found that oak hammocks and riparian habitats were important for species of high management concern, but burned sandhills along with oak hammocks and riparian habitats were very important for species of the greatest management concern. Our results suggest that habitat modifications resulting from restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem will benefit many species of management concern. Bird species negatively affected by habitat modifications for longleaf pine restoration were abundant in other habitats. South. J. Appl. For. 27(2):107–121.
Analysis of the Southern Pine Beetle Suppression Program on the National Forests in Texas in the 1990s
Authors: Clarke Stephen R. , Billings Ronald F.
Published: August 2019

Infestations of the southern pine beetle (SPB) (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann) affected 7,929 ac of managed forest and 13,346 ac of wilderness on the National Forests in Texas (NFT) during the 1990s. Direct control treatments were applied to two-thirds of the 8,486 infestations on managed forest; the average size of treated spots was 1.3 ac. Inactive infestations averaged only 0.25 ac. Cut-and-remove was the preferred treatment; and only one application per infestation was required for over 97% of infestations treated by this method. Cut-and-leave was applied to 27% of infestations requiring treatment; and a single application was effective for 90% of treated infestations. In wilderness, where SPB suppression was limited due to legal constraints, large infestations developed, killing over 40% of the susceptible host type. In contrast, less than 2% of the susceptible host type was killed in nonwilderness areas of the NFT. Economic analyses indicate the SPB suppression program was cost-effective, with an estimated benefit/cost ratio of 3.55:1. South. J. Appl. For. 27(2):122–129.
Value Recovery from Two Mechanized Bucking Operations in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Boston Kevin , Murphy Glen
Published: August 2019

The value recovered from two mechanized bucking operations in the southeastern United States was compared with the optimal value computed using an individual-stem log optimization program, AVIS. The first operation recovered 94% of the optimal value. The main cause for the value loss was a failure to capture potential sawlog volume; logs were bucked to a larger average small end diameter than necessary. The result was that a portion of the stem with potential sawlog volume was being converted into lower value pulpwood. Although the value loss was relatively small, the length measurements were outside of the acceptable range and the machine needed to be recalibrated. The second operation recovered only 58% of the optimal value. The main cause of loss was poor length measurement, producing a number of short logs that would have been rejected as chip-and-saw logs. Statistical quality control charts from both operations show that logs were being cut too long for the first operation studied and too short for the second operation. These low cost control methods should be required for monitoring mechanized bucking operations. We believe they will help to reduce the value lost from inconsistent measurements. South. J. Appl. For. 27(4):259–263.
Effects of Oak Decline on Species Composition in a Northern Arkansas Forest
Authors: Heitzman Eric
Published: August 2019

Since 1999, widespread and locally severe oak decline and mortality have occurred throughout the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. A contributing factor in the decline and mortality is an outbreak of the red oak borer [Enaphalodes rufulus (Haldeman) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)]. In northern Arkansas, a 2,150 ac mature oak forest severely affected by decline was selected as a case study to describe changes in species composition and stand structure and to assess regeneration potential of oaks and non-oak species. Mortality reduced total overstory basal area from 105 to 57 ft2/ac, and overstory density decreased from 156 to 89 trees/ac. Most dead and dying trees were northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and black oak (Q. velutina Lam.). Basal area and density of overstory red oaks were reduced from 51 to 11 ft2/ac and from 60 to 11 trees/ac, respectively. These trees died regardless of dbh class. Mortality was less common in white oak (Q. alba L.) and was generally limited to smaller trees. Understory trees and taller seedlings were predominantly red maple (Acer rubrum L.), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.), and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.). Oaks less than 3 ft tall were abundant, but taller oak seedlings and saplings were uncommon. Tree mortality increased the proportion of white oak and hickories (Carya spp.) in the overstory, and stimulated a regeneration response of mostly non-oak species. South. J. Appl. For. 27(4):264–268.
Fuels Management Reduces Tree Mortality from Wildfires In Southeastern United States
Authors: Outcalt Kenneth W. , Wade Dale D.
Published: August 2019

The objective was to determine the effectiveness of a regular prescribed burning program for reducing tree mortality in southern pine forests burned by wildfire. This study was conducted on public and industry lands in northeast Florida. On the Osceola National Forest, mean mortality was 35% in natural stands and 43% in plantations two growing seasons after a June 1998 wildfire. Burn history significantly affected mortality with those stands prescribe-burned 1.5 yr prior to the wildfire having the lowest mortality, while stands prescribe-burned 2 or more years prior had higher mortality. Although significant tree mortality did occur on the Osceola National Forest, with all trees killed in some stands, many trees in other burned stands did survive. The overall mortality was lower in both plantations and natural stands on the Osceola than at Tiger Bay where prescribed burning had been less frequent. The highest mortality rates occurred on the Lake Butler Forest where prescribed burning had not been used since plantation establishment. Thus, a regular prescribed burning program will reduce mortality following wildfires in both natural and planted stands of southern pines on flatwoods sites, even when wildfires occur under severe drought conditions. South. J. Appl. For. 28(1):28–34.
Effects of Five Silvicultural Treatments on Loblolly Pine in the Georgia Piedmont at Age 20
Authors: Edwards M. Boyd , Shiver Barry D. , Logan Stephen R.
Published: August 2019

Age 20 data from a designed experimental study installed on 24 plots at one location in the Lower Piedmont in Jones County, Georgia, were used to evaluate the effect of six silvicultural treatments on survival, growth, and yield of cutover site-prepared loblolly pine plantations in the Georgia Piedmont. The following silvicultural treatments were included in the study: (1) clearcut only, (2) clearcut with all residual trees greater than 1 inch dbh removed by chainsaw, (3) shear and chop, (4) shear, rootrake, burn, and disk, and (5) shear, rootrake, burn, disk, fertilize, and herbicide. Treatment significantly affected all tree and stand characteristics at age 20. The shear, rootrake, burn, disk, fertilize, and herbicide treatment ranked best in all categories with the exception of survival and basal area, which were highest for the shear, rootrake, burn, and disk treatment. The shear and chop treatment was not significantly lower than the most intensive treatment in any measured category. South. J. Appl. For. 28(1):35–40.
A Bid Price Equation for National Forest Timber Sales in Western Arkansas and Southeastern Oklahoma
Authors: Lynch Thomas B. , Huebschmann Michael M. , Lewis David K. , Tilley Daniel S. , Guldin James M.
Published: August 2019

An equation relating bid price to timber sale characteristics was developed using regression techniques on the basis of data from 150 timber sales that occurred between June 1992 and Dec. 1998 in the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests in Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. Predicted values of the real winning bid price are based on total sawtimber volume per sale, total pulpwood volume per sale, average sawtimber volume per acre, average sawtimber volume per tree, and the ratio of southern yellow pine #2 dimension lumber producer price index (PPI) to pine sawlog PPI. Sawtimber and pulpwood in these sales are mainly shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.). The most highly significant variables were total sawtimber volume and the ratio of southern yellow pine #2 dimension lumber PPI to pine sawlog PPI. The equation explains 95% of the variation in the total bid price data. South. J. Appl. For. 28(2):100–108.
Timber Basis Allocation with Incomplete Records
Authors: Straka Thomas J.
Published: August 2019

Forest owners are required to maintain complete and accurate accounting records of their timber transactions. This allows for proper allocation of basis, calculation of depletion allowance, and accurate calculation of tax due from timber sales. If accounting records are incomplete (basis allocation was not properly performed in the past), the forest owner and his or her accountant and forester will need to calculate the basis allocation that should have taken place in the past. The proper basis allocation and a methodology to allocate basis when records are incomplete are illustrated. South. J. Appl. For. 28(2):109–112.
Technical Note—Amounts of Down Woody Materials for Mixed-Oak Forests in Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina
Authors: Chojnacky David C. , Schuler Thomas M.
Published: August 2019

Fallen or down dead wood is a key element in healthy forest ecosystems. Although the amount of down wood and shrubs can provide critical information to forest resource managers for assessing fire fuel build up, data on biomass of down woody materials (DWM) are not readily accessible using existing databases. We summarized data collected by the USDA Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program into biomass for mixed-oak forest types in Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina to obtain a baseline average for Appalachian mixed-oak forests. We sampled a subset of 76 plots from 16 oak forest types and computed biomass for each DWM component, using slightly different equations for each. Biomass of DWM components was summarized using simple statistics. The mean of all DWM components combined was 32 Mg/ha, and the median was 29 Mg/ha. Over half the mean DWM was duff and litter (18 Mg/ha combined); coarse woody material (CWM) was less than 15% of mean DWM; and fine woody material (FWM) (7 Mg/ha) was almost twice CWM. The range of mass for individual components was quite large. These estimates compare favorably to those found in studies for other forest types. South. J. Appl. For. 28(2):113–117.
Small Mammal Distributions Relative to Corridor Edges Within Intensively Managed Southern Pine Plantations
Authors: Campbell Tyler A. , Constantine Nicole L. , Baughman William M. , Harrington Timothy B. , Chapman Brian R. , Miller Karl V.
Published: August 2019

We characterized small mammal communities in three loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands in the Lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina during June 1998–Aug. 2000 to investigate influence of corridor edges on small mammal distribution. We live-trapped small mammals in three regenerating stands following clearcutting. Harvested stands were bisected by 100-m-wide, 20–23-year-old pine corridors. During 47,040 trap nights, we recorded 907 captures of 661 individual small mammals. Species captured included southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis), cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus), cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), eastern harvest mice (Reithrodontomys humulis), marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris), and golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli). We did not observe an edge effect (i.e., preference or avoidance) in small mammal captures at the corridor edge. Rodent captures were greatest in harvested stands, declined near the edge of mature pine corridors, and were lowest within corridors. Shrew captures were generally greatest in mature pine corridors and least in the interior of harvested stands. Retention of mature pine corridors of only 100 m may maintain some small mammals (i.e., shrews) that would not occur if stands were completely harvested. South. J. Appl. For. 29(3):148–151.
Time and Cost Study of Pruning a 12-Year-Old Loblolly Pine Plantation
Authors: Holley A. Gordon , Tate Jayson F. , Taylor Eric L.
Published: August 2019

A time and motion study was conducted to determine time and cost of pruning thinned, 12-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.)plantations to a height of 25 ft. The study incorporated thinning treatments to stand density indices (SDI) of 70, 120, and 170. Pruning times with labor and equipment costs were used to determine per acre and per tree pruning costs at each stand density. Pruning costs were used to determine stumpage price premiums necessary to break-even on a pruning investment. Calculations were performed with various hourly wage and interest rates. The average per tree pruning time for a pair of workers was 2 minutes and 16 seconds, which results in a net average of 11.6 trees pruned per hour per worker. Per acre combined labor and equipment costs ranged from $58.09 to $288.59 depending on stand density and wage paid. Cost per tree ranged from $0.55 to $1.00 depending on stand density and wage paid. Break-even values ranged from $63.55 to $2,584.14/ac depending on stand density, wage paid, alternative rate of return, and rotation age. South. J. Appl. For. 29(4):179–184.