Cornell Cooperative Extension will hold 2 one-hour Forest Connect webinars on Controlling Thinning in Hardwood Stands: Some Concepts & Methods, on June 21st at noon and 7 p.m.
The webinars, presented by Dr. Ralph Nyland from SUNY’s College of Environmental Science & Forestry, will discuss four main issues related to thinning in even-aged hardwood stands at intermediate stages of development, drawing on long-accepted hypotheses and models of stand production and tree growth to articulate a conceptual basis for regulating thinning intensity and judging an appropriate method to use. Broad topics will include:
- How much to leave
Part 1 will review classic models describing relationships between stand stocking and both gross and net production. It will use well-accepted hypotheses by Langsaeter (1941) and Mar:Möller (1954), as well as more recent findings from Northeastern North America.
- How stand stocking affects tree growth rates
Part 2 will examine effects of stand stocking level on individual tree growth as hypothesized by Langsaeter (1941), Daniel et al. (1979), and Marquis (1986). It will also consider the importance of enhanced diameter growth in maintaining full net production after a properly controlled thinning.
- Which trees to favor
Part 3 will explore relationships between tree crown position and diameter on post-thinning growth, using hypothesis by Assmann (1970), along with observations by Marquis (1991), Nyland et al (1993), and others.
- How to make it work
Part 4 will review how these concepts fit with characteristics and expected responses after thinning-from-below and crown thinning in conjunction with leaving B-level relative density. It will also contrast these with effects of dimeter-limit cutting in even-aged stands.
To participate in one of these webinars, go to https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/0fd2318ec3796a188c34be5db4a05ad8