Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) Growth Response to Partial Hardwood Overstory Release

Abstract We measured the response of white pine (Pinus strobus L.) saplings after partial release of a hardwood overstory on three sites in central Minnesota. Both height and diameter growth increased quickly after release compared to prerelease growth. Diameter growth response was related to prerelease diameter growth, but not to initial size of the sapling (diameter at time of release). On the other hand, height growth response was strongly influenced by the initial height of all trees, but not related to prerelease height growth in the largest saplings (initial heights > 8.76 m). Increased release intensity (i.e., difference between prerelease and postrelease overstory densities) resulted in higher diameter and height growth responses. The height/diameter ratios decreased after release, indicating that stability as well as growth increased after the release. North. J. Appl. For. 17(3):89–94.