Comparison of Diameter Growth and Crown Competition Factor in Loblolly Pine Plantations

Abstract

Growth in diameter at breast height (dbh) in loblolly pine plantations was compared with that of open-grown trees. Data were collected in 240 plantations and from 81 open-grown pines. The age at which average diameter growth in plantations diverges from that of open-grown trees was estimated for different site index and stand density combinations and compared to the age at which the crown competition factor (CCF) is predicted to reach 100. Average diameter growth in stands consistently differed from open-grown tree diameter growth one year after the CCF reaches 100. This result is potentially useful for forest growth simulation. Forest Sci. 21:427-431.