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Patch cutting in temperate mixedwood stands: What happens in the between-patch matrix?

Summary

Published in Forest Science 62(2): 227-236 http://dx.doi.org/10.5849/forsci.15-023

Since two decades, patch cutting systems have been applied in Eastern Canada to regenerate uneven-aged yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) - conifer stands. Yet, we still know very little about how the trees located in the between-patch matrix respond to treatments. This study compares growth, recruitment and tree mortality of yellow birch, red maple (Acer rubrum L.), balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) in three 50% patch cutting treatments with 20-, 30-, 40-m diameter circular gaps combined with 33% single-tree cutting in the matrix between patches, and an uncut control. After 10 years, positive effects of cutting treatments on recruitment and growth were nullified by mortality, resulting in non-significant changes in stand net merchantable basal area. Mortality rate modeled at the tree-level was higher for trees with larger diameters, defects, and high crown ratios. Trees with small diameter and those located along the border of harvest gaps had the largest increments in basal area. This study questions the use of patch cutting in mixed uneven-aged stands comprising an important component of short-lived balsam fir. Silvicultural systems utilizing non-systematic placement of variably-sized gaps may prove more beneficial for managing wood production and complexity in yellow birch - conifer stands.

Sector(s): 

Forests

Categorie(s): 

Scientific Article

Theme(s): 

Forestry Research, Forests, Silviculture

Author(s)

RAYMOND, Patricia, Marcel PRÉVOST and Hugues POWER

Year of publication :

2015

Format :

PDF available upon request

Keywords :

sylviculture, feuillue, aménagement inéquienne, méthodes de régénération hybrides, trouées sylvicoles, sylviculture des peuplements mixtes, sylviculture et rendement des forêts naturelles - peuplements mélangés, article scientifique de recherche forestière, silviculture and yield of natural forests - mixed stands, hardwoods, uneven-aged management, hybrid regeneration methods, harvest gaps, mixedwood

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