eee ee et eas ne oe eee ornate lag td. ef ee WESTERN YELLOW PINE TR) ae Se SAMPLE PLOT STUDIES, THESIS FOR DEGREE OF M. FOR ae 70) 1916 OBE! FEE! BoA APL CPO POL OL PtP OL GLP << THESIS AY |49 THS THE PROBABLE RATE OF GROWTH of WESTERN YELLOW PINE IN CUT OVER AREAS, AS INDICATED BY SAMPLE PLOT STUDIES. Thesis for Degree of M. For. AS , H. Basil Wales Sunn 1916 THESIS lag 44 THS THE PROBABLE RATE OF GROWTH of WESTERN YELLOW PINE IN CUT OVER AREAS, AS INDICATED BY SAMPLE PLOT STUDIES. In December, 1910, the Forest Service estab- lished three permanent sample plots in a recently cut over area in the Western Yellow Pine type, in the San Mateo mountains. All the trees above 3.5 inches in diameter were tagged and their diameters and heights recorded, as well as the characteristics of the individ- ual. This study contemplated a remeasurement of the trees in September, 1915, with a comparison of the meas- urements to determine the periodic and annual growth and the rate of growth as influenced by disease, mistle- toe, tree class, etc. In order to make the growth data obtained comparable and applicable to other stands in the South- west, it is necessary to record the general forest con- ditions in the locality, and the specific conditions within the areas themselves. The Locality. The San Mateo division of the Datil National -j- 104005 Forest is a large, isolated forest body growing upon the San Mateo mountain range. This range lies in a general north and south direction, and rises to a height of 9500 to 10500 feet. North and west of the main ridge of the mountains the slope to the adjoining rolling plains is very gradual; to the east and south the mountains break off almcst abruptly to the plains. As a consequence the runoff of surface water is much less rapid to the north and west, and moisture conditions within the area are more favorable. The character of forest growth is indicative of this. On the east and south where the slope is very steep and abrupt, the forest vegetation is that of the woodland type; the species being principally juniper, (Juniperous monosperma and pachyphlea), pinon, (Pinus edulis), live oak, (Quercus chrysolepis and undulata), and mountain mahogany, (Cercocarpus breviflorus), while on the gradual slopes, retentive of moisture, the pure yellow pine type predominates. In the more moist places, as canyon bottoms and north slopes at the higher eleva- tions, the composite type, comprised of yellow pine, (Pinus ponderosa), Douglas fir, (Pseudotsuga taxifolia), white fin, (Abies concolor), limber pine, (Pinus flexilis), may be found. Blue and Engelmann spruce, (Picea parryana and engelmanni. ), are found within the division. The broad leaf species are limited to Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii), mountain maple, (Acer _sp.). and aspen, -2- (Populus tremuloides), at the higher elevations, and cote tonwood, (Populus angustifolia), along canyon bottoms at the lower elevations near the forest boundary. Two forms of Pinus ponderosa are recognized; black jack, the younger and more thrifty, and yellow pine, the tree as it approaches maturity. Studies made by the Forest Service have determined that the black jack teper much more rapidly than the yellow pine. Hence the vol- ume of a black jack in board feet and in cubic feet is less than the volume of & yellow pine having the same diameter and height. Separate volume tables for black jack and yellow rine have been prepered by the Forest Ser- vice, and these tables have been used, interpolating where necessary, in the comrutations of volumes herein given. Plate I. shows in & comprehensive way the forest types within this division of the National Forest, the type lines being based upon the general knowledge of the forest cover on the part of the author. The following table gives a general climatolog- ical summary of the conditions as recorded at Magdalena ,s# New Mexico, northeast of the San Mateo Division, and ap» proximately thirty miles distant from the locality stud- led. Precipitation is, however, probably much higher and temperature lower on the sample plots than at Magda- lena, by reason of the increased elevation. Climatological Summary. x Magdalena Cooperative Weather Station. Length of Record in Years. : Mean Annual. Rainfall 10 : 14.3 (inches). Snowfall 9 : 29.0C * Mean Temperature 8 : 51.90 Max. " g : 102.09 Min. " 8 $ #£1.C° + Magdalena is teken as the governing station since it is the nearest one having generally similar conditions. _ These figures give a general idea of climatical conditions in this portion of New Mexico, but are not typical of the forest regions because of the generrl higher altitude of the forests and of topographic features which influence the climate. The prevailing winds are from the southwest. The Areas. The three permanent sample slots, aggregating a@ total acreage of 26.4 acres, were laid out in the canyon bottoms end on the slopes of Rench Suprlp and Point of Rocks canyons, which rise near the summit of the San Mateo mountains and drain northwest to the basin of the San /ugustine Plains, 8 bolson plain sixty miles long and twenty to forty miles wide, which lie on the Conti- nental Livide end have no surface outlet. The largest a4 = of the three rplote consists chiefly of a broad flat at the head of the cenyon and is surrounded by low ridges. The other two rlots lie on the south slope of Foint of Rocks Canyon and have a southwest exposure. The slore within the three plots varies from 3% to approximately 50%. Plate I. shows the relative location of the three areas within the Division. Plates II., III., and IV. indicate the individuel areas. The topography is mere- ly sketched without the use of a level, but shows well the general nature of the area. Basing an estimate upon the stand of virgin timber in similar locations in the vicinity, and check- ing by the size and frequency of stumps on the cut over Breas, the author estimates en average of arproximately 6 M feet B. Me per acre grew upon the largest plot prior to logging, and about 5 M feet B. Me per acre upon each of the two emaller rlots. The virgin stand was largely Western Yellow Fine, although some Douglas fir and Lire ber pine was rresent, and was many aged. An excellent stand of advance growth was present on the more favorable portion of the area, but upon the exposed south slores the reproduction was, as a whole, very scant. The first cutting was made in the locality abcut twentyfive years ago, when a few of the very best trees were removed from the largest plot. Cnly the clear portion of the bole was logged, the remainder be- ing left on the ground. -5 = R.6 Gd, R.5 &. RAW. TT 7:4 $s. * wr * sss ‘e ettpeete Heo hy “rs 4 Sing sil AS b Hi {> ) "y Coithin ten ty } ht 3M Sager NGy/ iB oo RS x H Int ecaree rears | pins 5 Acai + Me < a he ere i sod 7.55 . zof ‘ x oo vw et ie” ae. * acu! Sonu! A =F at ! bas s “Gs ¥ rr ——— “Aye. te >. See Rae Z ae s ce .. 2 ie Feat * 2B tee we it 1 eh dn Gaerie te Fo 4’ 2 = Pokey ‘Be iui ~ cee y ste A, Lf f % \ ' ss i foe Se” a L A “ay tet fs ay § aa Ras = bes 2 eee z i: Sees S + = da ee B Bs ox > ve te a, Vv vile To re ao tel ’ ‘, 7.7 S- ae : ." ye sl tive tpg tena ~ ‘ ¢ L Hig OM 4, ” : XE “ > Ae __— yf es Miah Ze «7 -1 Bae ma sek Cy NS Toe GT = é ¥ Min o So tig epee 47> 7 of. ' 3 ye f , ais aes & } h : Ps, ae is Df. . a of 8 5 Reine ais, %, A eg 2 = « é ‘ . wena, ‘ o Son TP Zo $3 x . 4 ~ ¢€ 7.88. 2 oh : r Pits Mt ay “4. a rN . ’ ' — yj Cee T 8 | : fee Oe Be BS ttf re een 2 alk ar a . Tn} + = =a — y oe { ee ‘ -- +X faa : \ aS eer « . 2 oa - Plate T San Mateo Division. .° és “ J . “Ss, \ 7. OS. Darien Natiownc Foresr, e ' . ‘ za ty Ye 8 . Legend - as / L- \ +s & . / “& “Poca. . SS. @ — Sawmple plet areas. ‘s < ‘S A Raa Sawtimber Tyre. J} a’ ~~ _ Kaceedland Ture. ‘K Oe en Bat ans Cv satsad ~Open Grassland, ; “f he B ~ ES ‘ =: - Jercoyraeag Poor Aonatt Saernee: § ) .” s € Sy wal Fyres Cy Che Suther, boa aes nell Scale \’ = 4 Miles. Dou. Semel \ 7705 —— \ IN N Site Site LT oe Kh. of Rocks “er nyon, Plate TZ Plot S-1-ff Sites IT & tT San Mateo Division Datil National Foe ore Scale = limch -2% ch, ag A Ft Al I f ite (1X 7 \/ AE LC NN suabenas : on ot Reka ew Plete I Pilot s—1I-B Sites LKTL San Mateo Dwisien Datil Natrona orest, Saale tinchs 2 & Ch, Site \ Site |I. T —— \ \ 7 Plate TY. Plot S-2-—-FA Sites I & I Qregq ~ 14-438, . San Matec Division, Dot:! National Forest Seale tsa ch. The next cutting was made in this vicinity from 1°9C7 to 1910, the @reas upon which this study wes made being cut over in the summer and fall of 1910, a few monthe prior to the laying out of the plots and the initial measure- ment of the trees. In marking the timber for cutting a selection system was used. At first a minimum diemeter limit of eighteen inches was used in marking. But trees below this limit were often merked and trees above the limit were left standing where such action wes deemed necessary for reseeding purposes or to insure protection to the forest against windfall or the undue drying out of the e0il, caused by excessive openings in the crown cover. Later the minimum limit was reduced to fourteen inches, which is now the average on the Datil National Forest under the present Forest Service silvicultural rolicy. . Brush within the aress was disposed of by lope- ring and scattering, piling, piling and burning, and a very small amount by broadcast burning, according to proximity to stands of reproduction, necessity for rre- venting erosion on the steeper slopes, etc. | In 1910, at the time of the initial merscurement, 1759 trees were recorded, of which 1575, or 89% were Wes- tern yellow pine; 51, or 2% were Douglas fir} and 123, or 8%, were limber pine. Of the 1575 yellow rine trees 1342, or 85%, were classed as black jack, and the -6 «= remainder, 233 trees, or 15%, were mature yellow rine. The following table shows the number of trees in 1910 and 1915 by species, and the percent of the total number of trees. Number of Trees. : 3% of : 3; &% of sTotals ‘Total. Species ; 1910: 191U: 1915: 1915. Bleck Jack ¢ 1342; - : 14203 = Yellow Pine ¢ 233: - : 2643 - Total for Species ; 1575: 89; 1684: 89 Douglas Fir : 51: 33 50: £.6 Limber Pine ; 1333 8: 152%: 8.4 The greater rercent of the trees now growing upon the plots will average from twentyfive to fifty years old, although a few individusls fully two hundred yeers old were left for reseeding or protective yurroses. Ae is charscteristic of Western yellow pine, the trees occur in groups of greater or less Srea. 84% of the trees now standing may be classed ae dominent or codominent or #s growing in the open. a) «= Tree Class in 1915. (Western Yellow Pine only). No. of Trees: % of Total Dominant : 259 : 15 Codominsnt : 687 : 41 Intermediate : £40 : 14 Suppressed $ 28 $ 2 Growing in Oren : 470 3 78 Total : 1684 : LOC Factors Influercing Growth. (a) Climate. A study of climatological conditions eas record- ed by the U. S. Weather Bureau does not show any material deperture in the average emount of rrecipitation recorded at Magdalena, New “exico, during the five year reriod covered by this study, from that established as the mean annual for a much longer period. The preciyita - tion during 1911 and 1914 wes considerably above the everage, while the other three years ere shown to have been practicelly normal. Since the climetic conditions during the five year period do not vary greatly from the everage, the periodic and average annual growth -s determined by this study will not be materially greater or less then the average during a long period of years, other conditions being the same. (bd) Site Quality. Two distinct eites may be recognized, the dis- tinguishing charecteristics being mainly soil, slope, and exposure. Upon Site I. the soil is a deey gravelly clay loam, having considerable humus and being retentive of moisture. This site is found on the canyon bottoms and the protected north slores. Upon Site II. the soil is shallow and of a gravelly and mineral nature, having but Little humus and being well drained. Without excertion this site is found occurying the ridges and the exrosed south slopes. The site quality influences greatly the number of trees per acre and the rate of growth. Approx- imately 16.0 acres is elassed °s Site I. and 10.4 ag Site II. The following tables have been prepared: Comparative Density. (All Species). Site I. : Site II. 1910: 1915: 1910: 1915: No.Treese Black Jack 850: 875: 492: 545: " " Yellow Pine: 108: 120: 175: 144: Total for Species ¢ 958: 995: 617: 689: Limber Fine $ 40: 40: 93: 113: Douglas Fir : 203 203 31s 303 Total No. Trees ¢ 1018: 1055: 741: 832: Average per acre $ 643 66: 71: 80: 9 = Comperative Volumes - Western Yellow Pine. 1910 : 1915 Site I. « Board Fts Cu. Ft. : Bd. Fts Cu. Ft. Black Jack >; 1672 : 9723.4 : £266 : 10871.0 Yellow Fine > 2225 : 4872.5 ; 2669 : 5730.7 Total for Species: 3897 : 14595.9 : 4930 : 166C1.7 Average per acre ; Black Jack : 104 3 607-7 3: 217 : 1045.3 Yellow Pine : 139 3 304.6 3: £56 : 551.0 Av.for Species: 243 3 912.2 3: 474 3: 1596.3 * All board feet figures in this study are in tens unless otherwise specified, and are given only for trees above 12" D. B. H.- Comparative Volumes - Western Yellow Fine. 1910 1915 Site II. Bd. Ft: Cu. Fte : Bade Fts Cue Ft. Black Jack : 279 : 2955.5 : 343 : 3148.4 Yellow Pine $ 835 : 2642.6 :; 1073 : 8244.7 Total for Species: 1114 : 5598.1 : 1416 : 6392.1 Average per Acre : Black Jack : 27 3 284.1 ; SS 3 202 7 Yellow Fine : 80 3: 254.1 : 103 : 211.9 Av.for Species: 107 : 538-2 : 136 : 614.6 -10- Trees and Volumes by Inch Diameter Classes. Site I. Black Jack sAv.Vol. per Tree. ‘No. Trees: Vol.Bd.Ftsav.Vol.per Tree: Vol. Cu. Ft. : 1910 ; 1915 1915 1910 ¢: 1915 1910 In.:1910:1915:1910:1915: SCDBARTOONNM PAM AN MO O e e e ® ® e ® ® e e e ® e @ HAAG DAE OP ADAM HO Ow AaAAANANAKQMNN PWM R ee e8@ 60 @€8 88 60 @0@ 80 80 60 68 O08 Ce 806 88 60 08 680 OFAMOAONNKNQDTNH ADM NOMA NY @ e.Um@ e eo se e® ® °® ee ¢@ e @ oe. 6@ @ TOON OO Aa wena ease ri -t ANN Ht woen 1.4 Re 1 37 4: 118.4: 225.35: 369.0: 574.13 720.13 823.7: 1208.0: 1080.58: 1239.7: 974.5: 814.53 902.2: 625.33 518.8: 327.2: 254.53 78.03 24.53 178.93 296.13 475.5: 639.2: 739.1: 1038.73 1036.4: 1057.93 1000.73 807.73 798.03 587.2: B27 .8: 192.3: 102.53 49.8: 74.58: 25 28 40 Oe cc C8 eo co BO 20 C8 Se 68 CO C8 00 C8 @8 22 08 © ee @80@ 0@8@ @0 @0 @0@ 80 S88 6@ 40: 38:3 ee 00 60 06 €0 C0 @0 G0 88 @0© @O C0 Ge 88 Ge 88 Ge se OMDMNAHOGOMOD OC Orodondand rire BROWN YNRNDORHOR OYA ADBOOCHDOOHMO ANI ee @86 60 00 @6 @2 @€08@ 60 60 02202 88 080 00 @08 00 @0 00 66 YONOORWMHOANNPNORWDAO And AA ARMA AAD 21 -ll= Trees and Volumes by Inch Diameter Classes. I. Site Yellow Pine sAv. Vol. per Tree. : T : T $ ¢ > O > o & & 7G $$ @ ; OT? & : st * st : w * ST ; TE = OF > £E % 9G > vd + °6¢ : oS + 6Y > O9 * O9 > 69 = 8S >: £9 + L9 ; 3B * SO > 64 * 36 : 29 & L9 ; oS + $2 ee 86 088 008 @88 @€8 C88 88 08 60 60 86 G20 068 @2 00 00 Ge G0 ST6TSOT6T?ST6TFOTS6T: *UT : $ eels aod* TOA AV! 3a ° RA" TOA: 8000 °ONS *( weouepuod snutd ) SUTd MOTTOX UIEISOM “SESEVTO ZEeX,OUBTG YOUT AQ SoUNTOA puY soe] -16= ~ *3°ST ee ’ = #T°Ss S°S2*B°3SSt =%°S B°S*S° TOV 2a°S Lo 9T *0°R6L VI =8°S00e: 92 e % $°ag°no: % *setToeds w0j 9 = iT ot 109 éG*h 7902 ‘9's :z0g 3 SZ sScOT * BT 234° pa! ¥ Te VO] : *SG°TT *L°OT + Sy OST 29° TLT *T°s09 *3°8Ss : 2°9q°no: eutd t uw) © Loi Le 3e°t vy $$ 68 %H°2 8c § Be? oe OS : HF % %44°Da MOTTOX ee @¢ &@ *1UEeMsIOUI S°936°S6T ot $ tL°S : °S°ol 79°es 3 °G° 622 ‘O° LPTTE s*4q°ng: qoer So : ge é ST STT v9 68S % %74°pa: ZOVTa “II 9e9tS °T e3TS @eIoV ued queme.OUrL Tenuuy °av "II 8693TS *T e3TS queumerZoul [Tenuuy ‘II e©%TS ‘Ir eats quemez0uy OT PoOtsled -17= (c) Tree Classification. The following tables show for Sites I., and II. the relative number of trees and volumes in board and cubic feet for each tree class. Since a number of trees recorded as black jack in 1910 have changed to yellow pine in the 1915 records, the two forme have not been shown serarately but the tables have been prepared for Western Yellow Pine as a& species. Aprarently the rate of growth is approximately the same whether the tree be dominant, codominant, or in the open. However, the mature yellow pine which have been left for seed insurance and which have a very slow growth, are entirely within the dominant class or grow- ing in the open. The presence of these trees with their large volume as compared with the numerous smaller trees and smaller volume, greatly reduces the increment percent in these two classes. The apparently large increment percent of the intermediate and suppressed classes is due to the fact that a majority of the new trees recorded, (those reaching a diameter of four inches during the five year period), fall within these classes. Neglecting the new trees, the increment percents for intermediate and suppressed trees for Site I. are 10% and 5.7%, and for Site II., 11.6% and 2.4% respectively. =@l8e@ The board feet increments are of interest as indicative of the actual growing stock upon the two sites. As the smaller trees reach the 12" diameter claes, the board feet increment will undoubtedly increase rapidly with each five year period, until most of the trees are of sawtimber size, after which the increment percent will approach @ normel, sustained amount. S8 i: g°sbo :e°Szee te°c4es 21S + HET 8344 *8E9 ¢ FB : X G3 t T'h $0S feet fet = f= t= 3g : g 92: 9°3S % 144: 118 No. Dead : 14 3; 1C Unhealthy 1915 : 83: 72 Unhealthy new Trees $ 10 3: 15 Total Unhealthy either Year or Both. : 241 : 200 Site Site Site Site Rate of Growth of Unhealthy Trees. :Vol.Bd Ft:Increment: Vol. Cue Ft. increment. 21910:1915:Bad.Ft: % : 1910 : 1915 CueFt.: %. Ie 3 571: 649: 78 : 1332360.3:2465.8 : 105.5: 4.5 II. $ 208: 347: 42 3 1391537 .4:1635.5 ; 98.13 6.3 Rate of growth of Healthy Trees. :Vol.Bd.Ft:Increment: Vol. Cu. Ft. :Increment. :1910:1915:Bd.Ft: %: 1910 : 1015 :CGu.Ft.: % I. $33263:42813: 955 : 28:128225.6:14135.9:1900.33: 15 II. : 809310693: 260 : 22: 4C60.-1: 4756-6: 696.5: 12 Site I. Site II. No. Trees died Guring period : 14 : 10 Volume 1910 $ 66.0 : 44.2 New Trees re- corded in 19185 ; §1 $ 82 Volume 1915 : 59.6 ° B80el ~25 a Diameter Height Growth. The average diameter growth for the five year pericd on Site I. is 0.85 inches for black jack, and 0.76 inches for yellow pine; on Site II. it is 0.71 inch- es for black jack, and 0.52 inches for yellow pine. | The average height growth for Site I. is approx- imately five feet for the five year period; on Site II. it is approximately three feet. -L6 = Summary of Results. (1). The increment percent is influenced more or less by the amount of growing stock. (2). The presence of meture timber left as “fire insurance” for reseeding purposes reduces the increment percent. | (3). Site quality influences the rate of growth to the greatest extent, the more rapid rate being, of course, on the better site. The diameter growth in- Gicates this factor in the most pronounced degree, and is probably not so greatly influenced by the amount of growing stock as is the increment percent. On Site I. the average volume per tree for the same diameter class is larger than on Site II. The averége height is therefore less on Site II. than on Site I. The smaller increment percent on Site I., (see table on pege seven- teen), is probably entirely due to differences in grow- ing stock. (4). Opening of the crown cover, by removal of the sawtimber, allows many surrressed trees to recover their former vigor. It does not follow, however, that these trees will retain their vigor, since some are permanently injured, while others will again become suppressed in future light competition. ao] = (5). Fire and logging damage aprroximately seven per cent of the stand. These injuries are pre- ventable by efficient protective measures and reasonable cere in logging. (6). Opening of the stand allows mistletoe infestations to spread afd the growth is probably lessen- ed corresrondingly. Special rules for marking timber are necessary in infested aress. (7). Damage by porcurines and squirrels varies with the number of animals in a given region. (8). The physical condition of a tree influenc- es the rate of growth, unhealthy trees erparently growing only one third to one half as much as healthy ones. (9). Assuming the diameter growth to remain constant for each five year reriod in the future, the majority of the trees on Site I. will reach sawtimber size in twelve periods, or sixty years, and in four additiorel reriods the stand will probebly be mature and ready for & second cut. Assuming the average e&zge of the stsnd to have been forty years in 1910, end allow- ing ten years as e factor of safety, a rotation of one hundred and thirty yesrs is indicated. Since Site II. has a slower anmal growth, the rotation will be increased corresrondingly. (10). Becruse of the short interval elersing since the virgin stand was opened, the mortality is less then it will be when the stand is again crowded. There is, therefore, no deta available as to the probable etand st the end of the period of rotation, but it is safe to rredict that the stand will at least be equsl to the stand in 1910 before cutting was begun. ,P snigtilshy avaeii-iais iii TE BR TT | = MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Lai