The diameter and bole quality response of residual hardwood poletimber following thinning in sawtimber stands

The diameter and bole quality responses of hardwood trees classified as either superior or inferior poletimber were evaluated 1 year following different levels of thinning in a sawtimber-sized, bottomland hardwood stand in northwestern Louisiana. Treatments included an unthinned control, two levels of the Desirable treatment (retained preferred and desirable sawtimber and either superior or inferior poletimber), and two levels of the Acceptable treatment (retained preferred, desirable, and acceptable sawtimber and either superior or inferior poletimber). The Desirable treatment accelerated diameter growth of superior poletimber trees (0.20 inches), while the Acceptable treatment minimized the production of epicormic branches on superior poletimber trees (only 2.2 new branches). Epicormic branches on superior poletimber trees were small, ephemeral, and heavily concentrated on the upper end of the butt log, whereas epicormic branches on inferior poletimber trees were numerous, large, persistent, and evenly distributed along the 16-foot butt log.