Natural regeneration patterns in even-aged mixed stands in southern New England.

A regeneration survey in southern New England in three different cover types indicated that most of the seed- hngs present were less than 19.7 in. in height. Although red oak was a principal component of the overstory, it represented a small proportion of regeneration. Black brch and red maple were common regener- ation components. There was a general re- lationship between overstory density and the amount of regeneration. To obtain nat- ural regeneration, a general broad op- timum range of overstory densities be- tween 20-80 ft2/ac of basal area is sug- gested. Successful red oak and sugar maple regeneration was obtained with overstory densities of these species between 20-40 ft2/ac. A higher proportion of these species dd not result in more regeneration. White pne regeneration was closely related to the amount of white pine in the overstory, however. The density of mountain laurel seemed to have little effect on the establish- ment of regeneration. The greater the length of time since last harvest, the more oak seedlings would be present in hard- wood stands. The opposite was true for red maple, black birch, and hemlock.