Changes in Stem Quality on Young Thinned Hardwoods

摘要

The report describes changes in limb-related defects on 18-year-old, even-aged hardwoods 6 years after thinning. Stocking levels of 30, 45, and 60 percent were studied. There were fewer defects per square foot of surface area in the higher stocking plots than in the lower stocking plots. The average number of live limbs decreased 83 percent in the unthinned plots and increased slightly in the heavily thinned plots. The results showed that frequency and size of limb-related defects are affected by stand density over a short period of time.