Study

Early responses to thinning treatments designed to accelerate late successional forest structure in young coniferous stands of western Oregon, USA

  • Published source details Dodson E.K., Ares A. & Puettmann K.J. (2012) Early responses to thinning treatments designed to accelerate late successional forest structure in young coniferous stands of western Oregon, USA. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 42, 345-355.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Thin trees within forests: effects on young trees

Action Link
Forest Conservation

Thin trees within forests: effects on mature trees

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Forest Conservation
  1. Thin trees within forests: effects on young trees

    A replicated, controlled study in 1997-2010 in Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii forest in Oregon, USA (Dodson, Ares & Puettmann 2012) found that thinning increased the density of new tree stems. The density of saplings >137 cm tall and <5 cm diameter at breast height (unthinned: 114; thinned: 527-815) and seedlings 15-136 cm tall (unthinned: 502; thinned: 2,719-4,594) was higher in thinned than in unthinned plots. One unthinned and three thinned (retaining 100-300 trees/ha) treatment units (14-58 ha) were replicated in seven sites. Saplings and seedlings were monitored in four subplots (0.002 ha) within each plot. Treatments were applied in 1997-1999. Monitoring was 11 years after treatments.

     

  2. Thin trees within forests: effects on mature trees

    A replicated, controlled study in 1997-2010 in Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii forest in Oregon, USA (Dodson, Ares & Puettmann 2012) found that thinning decreased the density of mature trees. Density of trees >5 cm diameter at breast height (unthinned: 531; thinned: 261-329 individuals/ha) and their basal area (unthinned: 61; thinned: 35-45 m2/ha) were higher in unthinned than in thinned plots. One unthinned and three thinned (retaining 100-300 trees/ha) treatment units (14-58 ha) were replicated in seven sites. Mature trees were monitored in 14-21 plots (0.1 ha) in each treatment unit. Treatments were applied in 1997-1999. Monitoring was 11 years after treatments.

     

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