Carrying Capacity and Thinning Response of Pinus taeda in the CCT Experiments

Abstract

Long-term thinning studies replicated on low, medium and high quality sites in South Africa indicate that high quality sites have a higher basal area carrying capacity that low quality sites. High quality sites also produce a higher maximum stand density index than low quality sites. High stems/ha produced a higher maximum stand density index than low stem/ha. Plots thinned late produced more gross basal area and less net basal area than plots thinned early. Basal area growth after the final thinning was greater on the plots thinned late.