Tree diameter a poor indicator of age in West Virginia hardwoods

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• Gibbs, Carter B.

Year Published

1963

Publication

Research Note NE-11. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 1-4

Abstract

Foresters generally recognize that diameter growth, height growth, sprouting vigor, and seed production are partially related to age; so age often has an important bearing upon silvicultural decisions. But unless past stand histories are fully known, the ages of hardwood trees can be determined only by increment borings, which not only require excessive time but also expose the trees to stain and decay. As an alternative, many foresters assume that for silvicultural purposes tree diameter at breast height is accurate enough as a guide to tree age. For managed even-aged stands, this assumption may hold true. But for unmanaged mountain hardwoods, a recent investigation on the Fernow Experimental Forest, Parsons, West Virginia, has revealed extreme variability in the tree age-d.b.h. relationship.

Citation

Gibbs, Carter B. 1963. Tree diameter a poor indicator of age in West Virginia hardwoods. Research Note NE-11. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 1-4

Last updated on: June 11, 2007

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