The Influence of Woody and Herbaceous Competition on Early Growth of Naturally Regenerated Loblolly and Shortleaf Pines

Four levels of competition control were used to study the response of naturally regenerated loblolly and shortleaf pines (Pinus taeda L. and P. echinata Mill.) in southern Arkansas. Trea1ment.s included: (1) Check (no competition con’ Cooperation was provided by the folowing organizations: Department of Forest Resources University of Arkansas at Monticello, and Georgia-Pacific Corp. The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service. This publication reports research involving pesticides. It does not contain recommendations for their use, nor does it imply that the uses discussed here have been registered. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate state and/or federal agencies before they can be recommended. CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, and fish or other wildlife-if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for disposal of surplus pesticides and pesticide containers. trol), (2) woody competition control, herbaceous competition control, und (4) total control of nonpine vegetution. Herbnceous plants were controlled for 4 consecutive years, and woody plants were controlled for 5 years. Control of herbaceous vegetation resulted in significant increases in pine height, groundline diameter (GLD), and volume per tree. Control of‘ only woody competition did not improve pine growth cornpared to untreated checks. After 5 years, pines on total control plots had significantly larger GLDs and signzjicantly more volume per tree compared to pines on any other treatment. Pine growth gains were achieved with herbaceous competition control und total control of nonpine vegetation although these two treatments averaged 4,000 more pinesiac, in trees taller than 5 ft, than the other two treatments. Results of this inuestigation represent a unique standard of pine growth to which operational treatments