Development and quality of reproduction in two-age central Appalachian hardwoods - 10-year results

Silvicultural practices that promote two-age stand structures have the potential to meet a wide range of forest resource goals. Such practices can overcome perceived disadvantages associated with clearcutting and still provide sustainable yields of desirable timber products and other woodland benefits. Forest managers need information on stand development following two-age harvests to develop prescriptions that meet diverse landowner objectives over long planning periods. Species composition, distribution, and stem quality of commercial hardwood reproduction were evaluated in four central Appalachian hardwood stands 10 years after a two-age regeneration harvest. Regeneration harvests cut all stems 1.0 inch d.b.h. and larger except for 12 to 15 codominant residual tree/acre comprising 17 to 25 ft² basal area/acre. After 10 years, codominants in the regenerated stand exhibited similar species composition, abundance, distribution, stem size, and quality as that previously reported for clearcuts in similar stands. Competition from the much taller residual trees in the older age class apparently has no effect on the 10-year development of the new age class. Forest managers can use the information provided to determine if two-age silvicultural practices applied in similar stands have the potential to meet specific stand management goals.