Establishing Natural Regeneration of Ponderosa Pine in Central Arizona

Abstract

Since 1968, more than 11,000 acres of Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum Engelm.) natural regeneration have been established on the Chevelon District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest by timing site preparation and rodent control with seedfall. Domestic livestock is excluded from regeneration areas. At current prices, the average cost per acre of natural regeneration is about $41, which is $218 less than the cost of planting an acre in the Southwest.