Natural Regeneration of Sierra Nevada Mixed Conifers After Logging

Abstract Studies of natural reproduction following logging under unit area control started in 1948 at the Stanislaus-Tuolumne Experimental Forest in California. Results from 119 permanent and 468 temporary quadrats show that when logging preceded a good seedfall, 67 percent of the total reproduction established in the first year remained after 12 years. With rodent control, 4 percent of the 1948 seedfall gave rise to new seedlings. Bare soil or light litter in semishade made good seedheds, but tolerance to sun and litter depth differed among species. Incense-cedar and white fir were the most common seedlings. Sugar pine comprised 10 percent of the new regeneration. Ponderosa pine seedlings grew fastest, sugar pine next, and white fir and incense-cedar, which were browsed heavily, the slowest.