EARLY GROWTH RESPONSE OF SLASH PINE TO DOUBLE-BEDDING ON A FLATWOODS SITE IN GEORGIA

A somewhat poorly-drained site in the Georgia flatwoods was prepared with single- and double-bedding and was planted with slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) seedlings in October. Half of the plots were treated with imazypyr in March. Double-bedding increased 7th year volume by 5 m3 per ha, but due to insufficient control of gallberry (Ilex glabra (L.) Gray), the herbicide treatment did not significantly increase volume growth. A break-even economic analysis indicated that an increase of 19 m 3 per ha at age 20 years would be sufficient to justify the extra cost of double-bedding (stumpage value = $20 per m3 ; 7 percent interest rate). A review of the literature indicated that single-bedding typically increased yield but did not consistently increase the probability of survival. Equations developed suggest that single-bedding may, on average, increase yields by 21 to 28 m3 per ha.

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