Even-aged regeneration alternatives for low quality oak hardwood forests in the Virginia Piedmont

Abstract

The effects of site quality, dormant and growing season harvests, and four even-aged regeneration treatments on natural hardwood and planted loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) are examined three years after clear felling and whole-tree harvesting upland hardwood stands in the Virginia Piedmont. Natural hardwood regeneration was dominated by stump sprouts, with seedlings and advanced regeneration playing a secondary role. Stump sprouts and seedlings plus advanced regeneration were significantly taller with a dormant season harvest. A growing season harvest resulted in significantly better survival and growth of loblolly pine after 2 growing seasons. A trend for more loblolly pine volume index growth on the poor site class was noted. Regneration alternatives included an herbicide stump treatment at time of harvest that significantly reduced stump sprout growth, 70%, and resulted in significantly better loblolly pine survival. This stump sprout control also favored hardwood seedling and advanced regeneration. One regeneration alternative included either a triclopyr basal bark spray or hexazinone soil applied spot treatment for releasing loblolly pine at age one. Both release treatments significantly reduced natural regeneration basal area and density when used two years after the herbicide stump treatment. Loblolly pine growth was significantly increased by both pine release treatments. Herbicide treatments were most effective, in terms of lower hardwood basal area and greater loblolly pine volume index, in growing season harvest treatment plots.