Masters Theses

Date of Award

3-1975

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Forestry

Major Professor

Ronald L. Hay

Committee Members

John Rennie, Edward Buckner

Abstract

The Tennessee Valley Authority initiated a density study in a northern hardwood outlier community in 1938 to study maximum board foot growth statistics to determine optimum residual density. The stability of this outlier type, especially following disturbances by man, was largely unknown. The experiment is comprised of a contiguous series of 21, one-acre plots with seven replications of three treatments approximating 1,500 , 3,000 and 6,000 board feet residual volumes per acre. Plots were harvested to residual volumes in 1938 and remeasured in 1955. In 1958 plots were again harvested to residual volumes and treatments reassigned. All plots were remeasured in 1974, thereby providing two cutting cycles for analysis. Sawtimber growth data were analyzed by the least squares analysis of covariance and regeneration was analyzed by the chi-square contingency test. Heavy cutting favored reproduction and Ingrowth of yellow-poplar and, when it was followed by light cutting, growth of yellow-poplar sawtimber was favored. In over-mature stands, pole-size sugar maple stems were released by heavy cutting and grew into the sawtimber class. Optimum growth of sugar maple sawtimber occurred on high residual volumes. Sugar maple reproduction was adequate under all stand den-sities. Beech growth was retarded by exposure and reproduction was best under dense stands. Heavy cutting favored black walnut.

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