Ten-year results of using oak Cleanings to maintain oak species dominance on the Allegheny National Forest

The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) in northwestern Pennsylvania implemented precommercial thinning in young stands to maintain oak (Quercus spp.) stems in a competitive position. This administrative study was developed to test ANF standards for precommercial thinning for success in maintaining oak composition. An additional objective was to examine stand development and competitive patterns of these young mixed stands. Two component studies were installed. One study area was in a 25- to 30-year-old stand where we released intermediate and suppressed oak species, in particular white oak (Q. alba), to see if they would survive and improve in crown class. The other study was installed in 16-year-old stands where crop tree selection and release treatments using the ANF standards were done, with untreated control plots reserved. Eight treated and eight control plots in two stands were treated during the winter of 2000-2001 and followed for 10 years.