Pine and competing vegetation response to herbaceous weed control and levels of shrub control in the flatwood

摘要

Largest responses to operational-like vegetation control in slash pine (Pinus elliottii Englem. var elliottii) after five growing seasons were due to shrub control. There were no differences due to duration of shrub control (first year vs annual), and no differences in pine response due to first year herbaceous weed control when combined with shrub control. Age 5 pine dbh and height averaged 3.0 inches and 17.7 feet, respectively, for shrub control treatments. This response is close to that observedfor more intensive vegetation control treatments in other studies. Shrub volume increase between years 2 and 5 was three times faster for no shrub control than for first year shrub control. Competing vegetation can get progressively worse as the stand ages if managers do not control shrubs at time of stand establishment.