Thinning Shortleaf Pine Plantations in Northern Mississippi

Abstract Residual basal areas did not have a significant effect on cubic volume growth over a 20-year period in a thinning study established in 23-year-old shortleaf pine plantations. Basal area at age 38 did have a highly significant effect on board-foot volume growth during the ensuing five-year period. Total production at age 43 averaged 12,334 board feet per acre on site 80. The results suggest that for saw timber an 8 × 8 foot spacing would have been superior to the 6 × 6 foot spacing employed in establishing these plantations.