Natural Regeneration Patterns in Even-Aged Mixed Stands in Southern New England

Abstract

A regeneration survey in southern New England in three different cover types indicated that most of the seedlings present were less than 19.7 in. in height. Although red oak was a principal component of the overstory, it represented a small proportion of regeneration. Black birch and red maple were common regeneration components. There was a general relationship between overstory density and the amount of regeneration. To obtain natural regeneration, a general broad optimum range of overstory densities between 20-80 ft²/ac of basal area is suggested. Successful red oak and sugar maple regeneration was obtained with overstory densities of these species between 20-40 ft²/ac. A higher proportion of these species did not result in more regeneration. White pine regeneration was closely related to the amount of white pine in the overstory, however. The density of mountain laurel seemed to have little effect on the establishment of regeneration. The greater the length of time since last harvest, the more oak seedlings would be present in hard-wood stands. The opposite was true for red maple, black birch, and hemlock. North. J. Appl For. 7:163-168, December 1990.