Following
a clear-cut, many landowners simply replant their tract with loblolly pine seedlings
and leave the property alone until it is time to conduct the first commercial
thinning. However, landowners can get a
much larger return on their timberland investment if they control the natural
regeneration in their young pine plantations.
Naturally regenerating vegetation often sprouts back after the stand is
clear-cut and planted. This regeneration
can cause in over-stocking of the pine plantation which increases competition
for water and nutrients, reduces growth, and increases the risk of disease and
insect infestation in the stand.
Stand
release treatments kill the competing natural vegetation in young pine stands,
which ensures that all available water, nutrients, and sunlight are relegated
to the desired pine trees. An intermediate
stand release increases the growth rate of pine plantations, produces more income
during intermediate thinnings, and allows landowners to harvest their tracts
earlier than if no release was conducted.
Studies have also demonstrated that released pine plantations can
produce 30%-50% more merchantable volume at the final timber harvest than
stands which have had no competition control.
While
there are many methods used to control competition in pine plantations, the two
most commonly used are herbicide releases and pre-commercial thinnings. A herbicide release uses chemicals which
target the hardwood and/or herbaceous competition and have little to no effect
on the pines. Herbicide releases benefit
pine plantations which are overstocked with natural hardwoods, vines, and
grasses.
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| 2 months after herbicide release: hardwood and herbaceous vegetation is controlled and 1 year-old pines are free to grow |
Pre-commercial
thinnings are necessary when a stand is overstocked with natural pine regeneration
and the trees are too small to thin commercially. During a pre-commercial thinning the
suppressed, smaller trees are cut down and the higher quality trees are left to
grow. Pre-commercial thinnings are
typically done using crews of men with brush saws who cut down the suppressed
trees without damaging the higher quality pine trees being released. The pre-commercial thinning lowers the
density of the stand, reduces competition for water and nutrients, and reduces
the risk of disease or insects attacking stressed trees in the stand.
 |
| Before pre-commercial thinning: stand overstocked with 1,000+ stems per acre and growth is inhibited. |
 |
| After pre-commercial thinning: stocking reduced to 400+/- trees per acre and residual pines are free to grow. |
While
cost-share funding is available for both herbicide releases and pre-commercial
thinnings, the funding for a herbicide release runs out of money very
quickly. Cost-sharing for pre-commercial
thinnings are funded through the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program,
however, and this program is typically well-funded. Most pre-commercial thinnings get cost-share
funding through this program.
Conducting
intermediate stand releases not only improves the growth on pine plantations,
they also improve wildlife habitat, aesthetic quality, and the overall value of
the property. Timber Marketing and
Management of the Carolinas manages intermediate stand treatments for many of
our clients. We work with contractors
and the North Carolina Forest Service to help landowners get effective
competition control on their pine plantations at the lowest possible price. If you think your tract might benefit from a
herbicide release or pre-commercial thinning, please contact us for a no
obligation first-time inspection of your property.
Thomas Rudd, Forester
NCRF #1699
t.rudd@tmmoc.com
