Diameters of clearcut openings influence central Appalachian hardwood stem development - 10-year study

Appalachian hardwood stands in West Virginia were studied to determine how reproduction establishment and development were influenced by circular clearcut openings of different sizes, postlogging herbicide treatments, and site quality.Ten-year results indicate that circular clearcuts should be at least 112 acre to gain the silvicultural effects of larger clearcuts.Smaller openings on both fair and good sites produced adequate numbers of trees, but diversity in species composition was lacking.Herbicide treatments reduced stump sprouting.After 10 years, 15 to 20 percent of the good dominant or codominant trees were of stumpsprout origin where the most intensive herbicide treatment has been used.Without the postlogging treatment, about 40 percent of the good dominant-codominant trees were of stump-sprout origin.