Studies of Connecticut hardwoods; the treatment of advance growth arising as a result of thinnings and shelterwood cuttings

Abstract

The trees are classified as seedlings, seedling-sprouts (sprouts arising from stumps lefts than 2 inches in diameter at the ground line). and sprouts (arising from stumps more than 2 inches basal diameter). In the latter class part of the original root system usually dies, while in the seedling-sprout class the entire original root system is often utilized by the new tree. The prevalence of decay renders the sprout class extremely undesirable from the economic standpoint. Even in 4-year-old sprouts 28 per cent. showed decay which had entered from the old decaying stump or roots. While rot enters earlier in sprouts, in a 60- to 80-year rotation many sprouts will be sound. As the length of the rotation increases the relative value of this growth form becomes less and less. Seedling-sprouts in which only a single sprout has arisen from the stump, though liable to wind throw because of the onesided character of the root system, approach seedlings in freedom from butt rot. Where several seedling-sprouts have arisen from the same stump, there is more chance for decay because some of these multiple sprouts are killed by competition and in decaying infect the living sprouts. Examination of 400 root systems showed that seedlings had the healthiest roots, with single seedling-sprouts, multiple seedling-sprouts, and sprouts following in the order given. The study was primarily on the five local oak species, but birches, ashes, and Acer rubrum were also numerous in the stands studied. Quercus coccinea is described as particularly susceptible to butt rot.