Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
Department
Forest Resource Management
Committee Chair
Mary Ann Fajvan
Abstract
Ten years after diameter-limit cutting, shading from residual trees had a negative effect on regeneration growth in three Appalachian hardwood stands. Regardless of shade tolerance, saplings growing outside the crown shading of residual overstory trees had higher densities and were taller and larger in diameter. Most shade-intolerant and mid-tolerant species decreased in total height and diameter as overstory basal area increased. Black cherry height (p<0.0001) and diameter (p=0.0002) had a significant negative relationship with increasing overstory basal area. Total height of shade-tolerant species was not affected and diameter showed a positive relationship. Red maple diameter had a significant positive relationship (p<0.0001) with increasing overstory basal area. Rehabilitation of stands after diameter-limit cutting requires silvicultural release operations to reduce competition in the new cohort.
Recommended Citation
Deluca, Travis J., "The effects of residual trees on regeneration dynamics following a diameter limit harvest" (2006). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 4225.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/4225