Extended rotations and culmination age of coast douglas-fir: Old studies speak to current issues. Forest Service research paper
Trends of mean annual increment and periodic annual increment were examined in 17 long-term thinning studies in Douglas-fir (Pseuditsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) in western Washington, western Oregon, and British Columbia. Problems in evaluating growth trends and culmination ages are discussed. None of the stands had clearly reached culmination of mean annual increment, although some seemed close. The observed trends seem generally consistent with some other recent comparisons. These comparisons indicate that rotations can be considerably extended without reducing long-term timber production; value production probably would increase. A major problem in such a strategy is design of thinning regimes that can maintain a reasonable level of timber flow during the transition period while producing stand conditions compatible with other management objectives. The continuing value of long-term permanent plot studies is emphasized.
- Research Organization:
- Forest Service, Portland, OR (United States). Pacific Northwest Research Station
- OSTI ID:
- 285207
- Report Number(s):
- PB-96-192653/XAB; FSRP-PNW-485; TRN: 62252588
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: DN: See also PB--94-209475; PBD: Nov 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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