Disturbance From the Initial Harvest Implementing Uneven-Aged Silviculture in a Pine-Hardwood Stand in Southwestern Mississippi

Abstract-Logging disturbance is important in uneven-aged stands because harvests are frequent, merchantable trees are retained, and regeneration may be present. Logging disturbance was monitored during the establishment of a study testing the application of uneven-aged silvicufture in an irregularly aged, pine-hardwood stand. Disturbances were: (1) seedbed conditions averaging 56, 16, 9, and 17 percent of the area in undisturbed litter. disturbed litter, mineral soil, and logging slash, respectively, (2) a 44 percent reduction in the number of submerchantable hardwood stems, and (3) mortality or severe damage of retained merchantable trees of 1.O stem per adre for pines and 2.7 stems per acre for hardwoods. Pine regeneration 1 year after harvesting was significantly affected by the seedbed conditions exkting after the harvest. Exposed mineral soil and disturbed litter increased the number of seedlings, while the effects of fine logging slash were negative.