Forestland in east Texas occupies about 12.1 million acres with 2.9 million acres (24%) classified as pine plantations on private land. Pine plantations are typically managed to produce timber, so information is needed to make informed management decisions. Growth is one piece of information that managers often rely upon in their decision making process

Coble, Dean W.

Pendergast, Katherine

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Stephen F. Austin State UniversitySFA ScholarWorksInformal Project Reports East Texas Pine Plantation Research Project11-2013Project Report No. 68, Observed Growth and Yieldof Loblolly Pine Plantations in East TexasDean W. CobleArthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, dcoble@sfasu.eduKatherine PendergastFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etpprp_project_reportsPart of the Other Forestry and Forest Sciences CommonsTell us how this article helped you.This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the East Texas Pine Plantation Research Project at SFA ScholarWorks. It has been acceptedfor inclusion in Informal Project Reports by an authorized administrator of SFA ScholarWorks. For more information, please contactcdsscholarworks@sfasu.edu.Recommended CitationCoble, Dean W. and Pendergast, Katherine, "Project Report No. 68, Observed Growth and Yield of Loblolly Pine Plantations in EastTexas" (2013). Informal Project Reports. Paper 11.http://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etpprp_project_reports/11 1 OBSERVED GROWTH AND YIELD OF LOBLOLLY PINE PLANTATIONS IN EAST TEXAS        BY  KATHERINE A. PENDERGAST  AND  DEAN W. COBLE     REPORT 68      FROM  THE  EAST TEXAS PINE PLANTATION RESEARCH PROJECT  ARTHUR TEMPLE COLLEGE OF FORESTRY  STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY  NACOGDOCHES, TX 75962    NOVEMBER 2013  2 INTRODUCTION   Forestland in east Texas occupies about 12.1 million acres with 2.9 million acres (24%) classified as pine plantations on private land.  Pine plantations are typically managed to produce timber, so information is needed to make informed management decisions. Growth is one piece of information that managers often rely upon in their decision-making process.  The purpose of this paper is to report observed growth in loblolly pine (Pinus Taeda) plantations in East Texas.  The following annual growth rates are reported by various, site index (25-year index age), and trees per acre, and age classes:   Quadratic Mean Diameter (inches)  Average Stand Height (feet)  Basal Area per Acre (square feet)  Cubic Foot Volume per Acre (wood and bark, ob).  The yield (cubic foot volume per acre) is also be reported by various site index, trees per acre, and age classes.    PLANTATION MEASUREMENTS   Data for this study were collected from permanent research plots maintained by the East Texas Pine Plantation Research Project (ETPPRP).  The ETPPRP is a long-term comprehensive research program that has investigated the factors affecting the management of loblolly and slash pine plantations in East Texas since 19821.  At this time, 124 plots are intact and available for analysis.  The plots are measured on a three-year cycle, with 1/3 of the plots being measured each year.  As of summer 2013, the plots have completed two to four measurement cycles.  Each plot is located in a different plantation and is 100 by 100 foot (10,000 ft2 or 0.23 acres) in size. There is no buffer surrounding the plot, as the plots are operational in nature.  This means that each plot receives the same treatment as the entire plantation, unlike the original ETPPRP plots which were insulated from all subsequent management activities. Treatment history and UTM Nad83 coordinates are known for each plot.  Every planted pine tree is individually tagged and measured for diameter, total height, height to live crown, crown position, and disease and damage status.  All recruits and hardwoods greater than 4-inches dbh are also individually tagged and measured.  Non-planted competing vegetation will be tallied on four nested subplots (1/40th acre circular                                                  1 The support of the following organizations is much appreciated: Rayonier, Campbell Group, Hancock Forest Resources, and Resource Management Services, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University.  3 plots for large woody competition and 1/200th acre circular plots for small herbaceous and woody competition) located within each plot  From these remeasured plots, 387 loblolly pine observations are available for analysis.  Each observation provides the following variables:   Plantation age at the time of measurement (AGE, years)  Average total height of the dominant and codominant trees on the plot (HT, feet)  Site Index (SI, feet, base age 25 years)  Trees per acre (TPA)  Basal area per acre (BA, square feet)  Cubic foot volume wood and bark per acre (CFVWB, total tree).  Each of these variables was summarized into combinations of the following classes:   Site Index (25-year index age) – four classes: 50, 60, 70, and 80 feet  Trees per Acre – six classes: 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800  Age – four classes: 5, 10, 15, 20 years.  ANNUAL GROWTH RATES  The following mean annual growth rates (MAI) were calculated for each observation:   AGEQMDObservedMAIQMD    AGEHTObservedMAIHT    AGEBAObservedMAIBA    AGECFVWBObservedMAICFVWB      The following periodic annual growth rates (PAI) were calculated for each observation:   3QMDObservedPAIQMD    3HTObservedPAIHT    3BAObservedPAIBA    3CFVWBObservedPAICFVWB   Note that the period or cycle length = 3 years.  4   TABULATED RESULTS  Annual growth rates (MAI and PAI) along with yield were tabulated by the various site index (25-year index age), trees per acre, and age classes for both loblolly pine:   Overall Annual Growth Rates: o Table 1 – MAI and yield o Table 2 – PAI    By Site Index, Trees per Acre, and Age: o Table 3 – MAI and yield o Table 4 – PAI    By Age and Site Index Classes: o Table 5 – MAI and yield o Table 6 – PAI    By Site Index and Trees per Acre Classes: o Table 7 – MAI and yield o Table 8 – PAI    By Age and Trees per Acre Classes: o Table 9 – MAI and yield o Table 10 – PAI   Note:  caution should also be exercised when using values for which sample sizes are small.    5 GRAPHICAL RESULTS  Annual growth rates (MAI and PAI) along with yield were plotted by site index (25-year index age), trees per acre, and age classes for loblolly pine:   Yield  o Figure 1: by Age and Site Index Classes o Figure 4: by Age and Trees per Acre Classes   MAI  o Figure 2: by Age and Site Index Classes o Figure 5: by Age and Trees per Acre Classes   PAI o Figure 3: by Age and Site Index Classes o Figure 6: by Age and Trees Per Acre Classes   6  Table 1. Overall mean annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot growth (MAI) and yield for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas. Measure Average Annual  Growth  Diameter (SE)                  0.7 (0.008) Height (SE)                  4.1 (0.04) Basal area (SE)                  8.7 (0.2) Cubic foot volume wood and bark (SE)              118.2 (3.7) Yield (cubic foot volume) (SE)            1026.3 (42.7)  Diameter = quadratic mean diameter in inches Height = average height of dominant and codominant trees Basal area = square feet per acre Cubic foot volume wood and bark = total stem cubic feet wood and bark per acre Yield = cubic foot volume per acre (SE) = standard error Average annual growth values based on 387 observations  7  Table 2. Overall periodic annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot volume growth (PAI) for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.  Measure Average Annual Growth   Quadratic mean diameter (SE) 1.6 (0.03) Height of dominant and codominant trees (SE) 9.7 (0.21) Basal area (SE) 22.7 (0.70) Cubic foot volume wood and bark (SE) 342.1 (14.22)  Diameter = quadratic mean diameter in inches Height = average height of dominant and codominant trees Basal area = square feet per acre Cubic foot volume wood and bark = total stem cubic feet wood and bark per acre (SE) = standard error Average periodic annual growth values based on 387 observations  8   Table 3. Mean annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot volume growth (MAI) and yield by site index (25-year index age), age, and trees per acre classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.   Average Annual Growth  Quadratic Mean Diameter (inches) Height           (feet) Basal Area (feet2) Cubic Foot Volume (wood and bark) Yield               (cubic foot volume per acre wood and bark) Observations Site Index   (feet)       50 0.7 4.3 8.6 109.0 880.6 31 60 0.6 4.0 8.4 118.0 1076.7 206 70 0.7 4.3 9.2 120.4 957.9 130 80 0.6 4.3 8.4 120.8 1177.3 20        Total Age Class (years)       5 0.7 4.4 7.4 74.5 414.2 20710 0.6 4.0 10.7 170.8 1637.9 152 15 0.5 3.4 7.5 152.8 2208.1 25 20 0.4 2.8 5.4 123.8 2423.9 3        Trees per Acre       300 0.6 3.6 5.2 105.7 1519.2 17400 0.7 4.2 7.9 107.2 908.1 91 500 0.7 4.2 8.7 117.9 992.5 142 600 0.7 4.2 9.2 118.0 945.6 94 700 0.6 3.8 10.1 146.0 1443.4 31 800 0.6 4.4 11.3 152.8 1178.3 12   9  Table 4. Periodic annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot volume growth (PAI) by site index (25-year index age), trees per acre, and age classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.   Average Annual Growth  Quadratic Mean Diameter (inches) Height           (feet) Basal Area  (feet2) Cubic Foot Volume (wood and bark) Observations Site Index  (feet)      50 1.5 9.2 21.2 293.5 31 60 1.6 10.2 23.2 358.9 206 70 1.5 9.0 22.1 319.3 130 80 1.6 10.5 23.7 392.4 20       Total Age Class (years)      5 1.1 6.8 12.9 138.1 20710 2.0 12.5 33.7 546.0 152 15 2.4 16.2 35.8 736.0 25 20 2.6 18.4 35.2 808.0 3       Trees per Acre      300 2.5 15.9 23.7 506.4 17400 1.6 9.4 20.4 302.7 91 500 1.5 9.5 22.3 330.8 142 600 1.4 8.8 22.2 315.2 94 700 1.6 11.0 30.8 481.1 31 800 1.4 9.8 27.2 392.8 12    10  Table 5. Mean annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot volume growth (MAI) and yield by age and site index classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.      Age (years) Measure Site index (feet) 5 10 15 20       Diameter 50 0.7 0.6 0.4 - (inches) 60 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4  70 0.7 0.7 0.5 -  80 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.4       Height 50 4.6 4.0 3.0 - (feet) 60 4.3 3.9 3.4 2.7  70 4.4 4.0 3.5 -  80 4.8 4.1 3.4 3.1       Basal Area 50 7.2 10.4 8.2 - (feet2) 60 7.1 10.2 7.2 6.2  70 7.6 11.4 9.9 -  80 7.5 11.4 8.4 3.9       Cubic foot volume 50 69.8 157.8 141.4 - (wood and bark) 60 73.4 164.2 147.0 134.3  70 76.4 183.6 204.7 -  80 78.3 183.4 178.2 102.7       Cubic foot yield 50 378.1 1453.3 1979.1 -  60 420.7 1586.9 2118.9 2609.0  70 409.5 1759.3 2865.2 -  80 444.1 1725.3 2660.2 2053.7       Observations 50 17 13 1 -  60 101 83 20 2  70 78 51 1 -   80 11 5 3 1   11  Table 6. Periodic annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot volume growth (PAI) by age and site index (25-year index age) classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.     Age (years) Measure Site index (feet) 5 10 15 20       Quadratic Mean Diameter 50 1.1 1.9 1.8 - (inches) 60 1.2 2.0 2.4 2.5  70 1.1 2.0 2.4 -  80 1.1 2.0 2.1 2.7       Height 50 6.7 12.0 14.0 - (feet) 60 7.0 12.4 16.2 17.3  70 6.5 12.7 16.4 -  80 6.9 12.7 16.6 20.8       Basal Area 50 12.2 31.6 38.1 - (feet2) 60 12.9 32.6 34.3 39.9  70 12.9 35.8 46.3 -  80 13.2 35.5 41.6 25.7       Cubic foot volume 50 126.0 484.4 659.7 - (wood and bark) 60 140.2 529.0 706.3 869.7  70 136.5 586.4 955.1 -  80 148.0 575.1 886.7 684.6       Observations  50 17 13 1 -  60 101 83 20 2  70 78 51 1 -   80 11 5 3 1   12  Table 7. Mean annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot volume growth (MAI) and yield by site index (25-year index age) and trees per acre classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.     Site Index (feet) Measure Trees per acre 50 60 70 80       Quadratic Mean 300 - 0.6 0.6 0.5 Diameter (inches) 400 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8  500 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7  600 0.8 0.6 0.7 -  700 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.5  800 0.5 0.7 0.6 -       Height 300 - 3.6 3.5 3.4 (feet) 400 4.3 4.1 4.4 4.7  500 4.3 4.1 4.2 4.6  600 5.1 4.0 4.3 -  700 3.6 3.6 4.2 4.0  800 3.3 4.9 4.2 -       Basal Area 300 - 5.2 5.1 4.8 (feet2) 400 8.2 7.8 7.8 10.1  500 8.3 8.4 9.8 7.9  600 10.9 9.4 9.0 -  700 8.2 9.2 12.0 9.9  800 9.2 12.5 10.7 -       Cubic foot volume 300 - 107.5 90.6 109.3 (wood and bark) 400 109.6 108.7 102.5 126.2  500 103.2 115.4 138.0 94.9  600 136.6 125.0 110.6 -  700 105.6 133.5 164.3 165.8  800 131.9 185.5 129.0 -       Cubic foot yield 300 - 1550.1 1057.6 1780.1  400 866.2 974.0 802.3 842.3  500 816.4 987.1 1173.7 700.7  600 903.1 1099.0 816.7 -  700 1065.5 1359.4 1398.4 1882.2  800 1450.6 1445.0 910.7 -       Observations 300 - 13 2 2 400 7 53 29 2  500 17 80 35 10  600 3 42 49 -  700 3 13 9 6  800 1 5 6 -   13 Table 8. Periodic annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot volume growth (PAI) by site index (25-year index age) and trees per acre classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.     Site Index (feet) Measure Trees per acre 50 60 70 80       Quadratic Mean Diameter 300 - 2.5 2.2 2.5 (inches) 400 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.7  500 1.5 1.5 1.7 1.3  600 1.4 1.5 1.3 -  700 1.4 1.6 1.7 1.6  800 1.7 1.5 1.2 -       Height 300 - 15.9 13.5 18.4 (feet) 400 9.6 9.8 8.6 10.1  500 8.8 9.6 9.9 8.2  600 8.3 9.6 8.2 -  700 10.3 11.0 10.8 11.9  800 11.9 11.3 8.2 -       Basal Area 300 - 24.0 19.8 25.3 (feet2) 400 20.3 21.4 18.5 21.7  500 20.0 22.0 25.4 17.6  600 22.1 24.7 20.0 -  700 24.9 29.8 32.0 33.8  800 33.8 29.9 23.8 -       Cubic foot volume 300 - 516.7 352.5 593.4 (wood and bark) 400 288.7 324.7 267.4 280.8  500 272.1 329.0 391.2 233.6  600 301.0 366.3 272.2 -  700 355.2 453.1 466.1 627.4  800 483.5 481.7 303.6 -       Observations 300 - 13 2 2 400 7 53 29 2  500 17 80 35 10  600 3 42 49 -  700 3 13 9 6  800 1 5 6 -  14  Table 9. Mean annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot volume growth (MAI) and yield by age and trees per acre classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.     Age (years) Measure Trees per acre 5 10 15 20       Diameter 300 1.0 0.6 0.6 0.4 (inches) 400 0.7 0.7 0.5 -  500 0.7 0.6 0.5 -  600 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.3  700 0.6 0.5 0.4 -  800 0.7 0.5 - -       Height 300 5.3 3.6 3.6 2.9 (feet) 400 4.3 4.1 3.3 -  500 4.4 3.9 3.4 -  600 4.4 4.0 3.0 2.6  700 4.2 3.8 3.2 -  800 4.7 4.0 - -       Basal Area 300 2.9 5.9 5.3 4.3 (feet2) 400 6.3 10.2 8.4 -  500 7.3 10.5 9.3 -  600 7.9 11.6 8.6 7.5  700 8.2 11.1 9.5 -  800 11.0 11.7 - -       Cubic foot volume 300 24.8 94.2 117.9 108.3 (wood and bark) 400 63.2 165.2 170.9 -  500 75.4 172.9 188.9 -  600 77.8 179.4 159.4 154.8  700 77.8 170.7 188.3 -  800 125.3 191.2 - -       Cubic foot yield 300 99.3 1006.0 1737.3 2165.5  400 361.7 1545.5 2435.3 -  500 433.0 1690.3 2607.5 -  600 408.0 1668.5 2325.4 2940.7  700 403.5 1675.0 2741.2 -  800 696.8 1852.5 - -       Observations  300 1 4 10 2  400 52 35 4 -  500 81 58 3 -  600 57 32 4 1  700 9 18 4 -   800 7 5 - -   15 Table 10. Periodic annual quadratic mean diameter, average dominant and codominant height, basal area, and cubic foot volume growth (PAI) by age and trees per acre classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.     Age (years) Measure Trees per acre     5    10    15    20       Quadratic Mean Diameter 300 1.3 2.1 2.7 2.7 (inches) 400 1.2 2.1 2.5 -  500 1.2 2.0 2.3 -  600 1.0 1.9 2.0 2.2  700 1.0 1.8 1.9 -  800 1.1 1.7 - -       Height 300 7.0 12.6 17.4 19.6 (feet) 400 6.7 12.7 15.8 -  500 7.0 12.7 15.9 -  600 6.4 12.1 14.4 16.2  700 6.7 12.2 15.6 -  800 7.8 12.7 - -       Basal Area 300 3.8 20.6 25.8 28.9 (feet2) 400 11.4 31.5 40.0 -  500 13.1 34.0 42.9 -  600 13.1 35.3 41.4 47.8  700 14.0 35.8 45.8 -  800 19.8 37.5 - -       Cubic foot volume 300 33.1 335.3 579.1 721.8 (wood and bark) 400 120.6 515.2 811.8 -  500 144.3 563.4 869.2 -  600 136.0 556.2 775.1 980.2  700 134.5 558.3 913.7 -  800 232.3 617.5 - -       Observations 300 1 4 10 2 400 52 35 4 -  500 81 58 3 -  600 57 32 4 1  700 9 18 4 -  800 7 5 - -   16    Figure 1. Observed yield (cubic foot volume per acre wood and bark) by total age and site index (25-year index age) classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.  17    Figure 2. Observed mean annual volume growth (MAI, cubic foot volume per acre wood and bark) by total age and site index (25-year index age) classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas. 18    Figure 3. . Observed periodic annual volume growth (PAI, cubic foot volume per acre wood and bark) by total age and site index (25-year index age) classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.  19     Figure 4. Observed yield (cubic foot volume per acre wood and bark) by total age (years) and trees per acre classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.  20    Figure 5. Observed mean annual volume growth (MAI, cubic foot volume per acre wood and bark) by total age (years) and trees per acre classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.  21    Figure 6. Observed periodic annual volume growth (PAI, cubic foot volume per acre wood and bark) by total age (years) and trees per acre classes for loblolly pine plantations in East Texas.  

Project Report No. 68, Observed Growth and Yield of Loblolly Pine Plantations in East Texas

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Project Report No. 68, Observed Growth and Yield of Loblolly Pine Plantations in East Texas

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