Apparent Defect in Second-Growth Tolerant Hardwood Stands in Quebec

Studies of external evidence of defect in second-growth hardwood stands in Quebec indicated that almost 50% of residual sugar maple, yellow birch and beech trees were seriously defective. Mechanical injury, particularly crown damage, and poor stem-form appeared to be the major sources of defect. Advance-growth saplings displayed much less evidence of defect. Clear-cutting systems leaving few poor-quality stems and depending for regenerations either on advance growth or on scarification and seeding seemed preferable to partial cutting. Tree quality classifications and cull studies in hardwood advance growth are required.