Growth expectations from alternative thinning regimes and prescribed burning in naturally regenerated loblolly-shortleaf pine stands through age 20 (1996)Cain, M. D. (1996). Growth expectations from alternative thinning regimes and prescribed burning in naturally regenerated loblolly-shortleaf pine stands through age 20. Forest Ecology and Management, 81(1), 227-241. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0378112795036059 Pine growth was monitored for 14 years after mechanically strip-thinning a dense, naturally regenerated, even-aged stand of 6-year-old loblolly pines (Pinus taeda L.) and shortleaf pines (Pinus echinata Mill.) that averaged 41000 trees per hectare in southeastern Arkansas, USA. Prescribed winter burns were conducted biennially between ages 9 and 20 years. A commercial thinning during the 17th growing season left a residual stocking of either 19.5 m2 ha−1 or 494 crop trees ha−1 in merchantable-sized ( > 9.0 cm dbh) pines on plots that were precommercially thinned and on plots that were not. Precommercial thinning enhanced pine growth in total height and in diameter at breast height (dbh, taken at 1.37 m) through stand age 20 years. At age 20, present net value (PNV) averaged highest on plots that were precommercially thinned at age 6 then commercially thinned to 494 crop trees per hectare after 16 years because of increased production in sawtimber (trees over 24 cm dbh). The second highest PNV at age 20 was on unmanaged control plots because no costs were incurred for precommercial thinning, hardwood injection, prescribed burning, or timber sale administration. Within each thinning treatment, pine dbh growth decreased in the 18th and 20th year relative to an increase in the degree of crown scorch from prescribed winter burns that were conducted after 17 and 19 years, respectively http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0378112795036059
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