Effect of Tree Diameter, Canopy Position, Age, and Browsing on Stump Sprouting in Southern New England
2018
Ward, Jeffrey S. | Williams, Scott C.
Stump sprouts can be an important component of regeneration, especially for sprout dependent species (e.g., oak) where there is inadequate advanced regeneration. On nine recently harvested areas in southern New England, we examined the influence of preharvest tree diameter and canopy position on the probability of thirteen species developing at least one stump sprout after harvesting. Stump sprouting decreased with preharvest diameter for upland oaks, red maple, sugar maple, and black birch. At typical merchantable diameters, harvested red maples were twice as likely to sprout as upland oaks. On four new clearcuts, we examined the influence of browsing on 4-year growth of oak stump sprouts. Browsing reduced total height growth of oak sprouts by 1.5 m relative to sprouts in cages, but did not prevent sprouts from growing tall enough to be above the browse line. However, the reduction in height growth of oak stump sprouts was sufficient to reduce the proportion of stumps with at least one free-to-grow sprout from 84% of stumps protected from deer to only 44% of unprotected sprouts. Delaying harvest of oaks that have exceeded minimum merchantable diameters will reduce the number of free-to-grow sprouts in new stands, especially if browse damage can be expected.
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