Timber Stand Improvement (TSI)
Thinning
One of the most effective means of improving existing hardwood and mixed stands can be accomplished by selected removal of undesirable tree stems showing one or more of the following characteristics: poor form, decreased productivity, high risk postential for future mortality or decay, unwanted species, or stem damage.
There are many harvesting regimes that will enhance hardwood stands other than a clearcut. Selective cutting involves pre-marking individual trees or groups to remove, while leaving other areas undisturbed. The intensity at which this is done depends highly on tree quality and density. Landowners should almost always avoid diameter-limit cutting. Usually this is a form of high-grading, a process which removes all trees above a certain diameter. All this accomplishes is that it removes the best trees and leaves the slower, weaker trees to remain. It's always a good idea to mark the trees you want left or those you want cut before you sell your timber. Patch-clearcuts are a more intensive treatment and are good options when regenerating oak species.
CROWDED, SUPPRESSED HARDWOOD STANDNative Trees
Plantings of native vegetation is highly recommended for a variety of reasons, but mostly it just makes sense. Plants have adapted to grow best in their historic range and provide a variety of resources to the local fauna.
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata) has the greatest range of any of the southern pines, but, like longleaf pine, has decreased in abundance since the introduction of short-rotation plantion forestry. The wood produced is typically of better quality than loblolly pine, but it's growth rate is slower for rotations shorter than 40 years. There is a renewed interest in growing shortleaf pine throughout the piedmont, with some studies showing growth rates above improved loblolly on specific sites. Quality seedlings are available from the NC Division of Forest Resources, but must be ordered early as quantity is limited.
Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) communities historically held vast portions of the the southeast coastal plain and were also found inland on sandy sites. Due to the forestry management practices that regenerated cutovers with loblolly pine, starting in the 1950's, longleaf pine abundance has been significantly reduced. Longleaf has unique seedling growth in the form of a "grass stage". This is one of many adaptations to a fire-dominated ecosystem. Lumber cut from this species displays the slower growth of this species and is highly prized for flooring, sometimes being marketed as "Heart Pine". Successful plantings can be achieved well outside the native range, but risks to these stands from ice storms exist.
Cherrybark Oak is bottom-loving species that develops high-quality wood that is straight-grained and has good character. It is a red oak that performs very well on rich sites with deep soils. Growing quickly with a straight stem, it serves as an excellent choice for landscaping around moist sites as well.
American chesnut (Castanea dentata) was once the dominant tree in the Appalachian mountains, comprising up to 40% of the total plant biomass in some timber stands. In 1904 the Chesnut Blight was discovered in New York, introduced from Asia. By the 1950's the disease had devastated most of the timber stands throughout the eastern United States. The American Chesnut Foundation has collaborated research since 1983 in hopes of restoring this significant tree to our forests. Using backcross genetics, there is now a viable 15/16ths hybrid that is available for silviculture and wildlife plantings.
(Left) Bark splitting from infected chesnut coppice sprouts.