Converting Degraded Stands to Pine

Loblolly Pine

Many degraded hardwood stands have been converted to loblolly pine in the region, and reasonable success has been achieved on most of the medium and good-quality sites. Best results are where site preparation was intensive and hardwood control was complete. There are problems both on poor sites and very good sites. On the poor sites, pine yield may not justify the costs. On very good sites, only the most intensive site preparation inhibits development of hardwood sprouts that can seriously retard loblolly growth. On medium sites, less intensive preparation can be prescribed if the owner will accept a mixed loblolly pine-hardwood stand and some loss in pine growth. Where utilization of hardwoods is almost complete, as in a shearing and chipping operation, pines can be introduced into the stand with greatly reduced site preparation costs, but pine distribution and growth will improve with increased intensity of site preparation (McGee 1980).

Eastern White Pine

Eastern white pine has not been planted as widely as loblolly, but enough plantings have been successful at high elevations on the Cumberland Plateau to indicate considerable potential (Smith and Baird 1979). High potential sawtimber yields from mediocre sites in 50-60 years make conversion to white pine an attractive option. White pine is tolerant of early shade and can be established in cutover stands in several ways. One technique has been to plant the pine where pulpwood and larger sawtimber trees have been harvested. The pines are then released from the residual hardwoods at age 3-5 by herbicide applied in July or August (Moyers 1979). Intensive site preparation prior to planting can also be used. However, the white pine are very slow starters and unless the control of hardwoods is complete, later release may be needed. After intensive site preparation, white pine can also suffer from heat scorch during hot, dry summers. Partial early shade may be an important benefit, particularly in the southern end of the region.

Shortleaf Pine

Shortleaf pine should be considered where diversification is important, where the long-term goal is production of sawtimber, and where ice and snow may damage loblolly pine (Russell 1979). Shortleaf pine grows slowly in its early years, so site preparation in cutover stands will have to be relatively intense to ensure that seedlings survive.