Summary
https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-P-211-paper18
Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) is the second most harvested hardwood species in Quebec. Hardwood stands harboring this species are likely to yield high value products, and their proximity to inhabited regions facilitates a more intensive silviculture. Yet, little is known about the effects of silvicultural treatments such as commercial thinning on stands composed mostly of yellow birch. We set up an experiment in a 41-year-old yellow birch stand that arose after a clearcutting in 1971. The experimental design comprises four treatments: a control (no intervention); and light, moderate, and heavy commercial thinnings. After 5 years, results show that the thinnings had no significant effect on the net growth in basal areal of the stand. The treatments mostly led to an increase in the proportion of yellow birch and crop trees in the stand following the harvest targeting aspens and other less desired species. The smaller diameter trees near the trails showed the highest diameter growth response to the thinnings.
File
Sector(s):
Forests
Categorie(s):
Scientific Article
Theme(s):
Forestry Research, Forests, Silviculture
Departmental author(s):
Author(s)
MORIN-BERNARD, Alexandre, François GUILLEMETTE and Steve BÉDARD
Year of publication :
2023
Keywords :
Sylviculture et rendement des forêts naturelles – Peuplements de feuillus, Silviculture and yield of natural forests - hardwood stands, proceedings, paper, bouleau jaune, éclaircie, peuplement équienne, récolte mécanisée, traitement sylvicole, yellow birch, even-aged stand, silvicultural treatment, thinning, mechanical harvesting
