Regenerating Southern Appalachian Mixed Hardwood Stands with the Shelterwood Method

Abstract

Shelterwood cuts, with understory treatment by cutting or herbicide application, can be used to regenerate southern Appalachian hardwoods. Cuts with residual basal area ranging from 25 to 66 square feet per acre and overwood retained from 5 to 13 years established desirable, well-stocked stands. However, species composition was essentially the same as in clearcuts with intolerant species, especially yellow-poplar, dominating. Oak regeneration did not benefit from either higher residual basal area or longer periods of overstory retention, even though oaks were prominent in the overstories of all stands. Only where larger oak advance reproduction was numerous before the initial cut did oaks become a prominent component of the new stand.