Commercial thinning in small-diameter aspen stands in northern Minnesota: study establishment report

In the spring of 1999, a long-term study was established to examine the physical and biological aspects of thinning young aspen stands in Minnesota. Three aspen stands ranging in age from 25 to 35 years were selected on lands owned by the State of Minnesota and UPM Kymmene. Two thinning treatments (low and high density) and an unthinned control were installed at each of the three locations. Permanent plots were installed to measure tree, shrub, and herb growth, and to monitor harvesting damage, insect and disease damage, soil strength, and fuel loadings. After 4 years, tree mortality was greater in the unthinned controls. Thinning treatment had no significant effect on the incidence of white trunk rot (Phellinus tremulae), Hypoxylon canker, or Saperda calcarata. No differences in post-harvest fuel loadings were detected among locations and treatments. Thinning increased the amount of light reaching the forest floor that resulted in greater herb and shrub biomass in the year immediately following thinning.

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