Alternatives to clearcutting in lowland hardwoods

Alternatives to clearcutting in lowland hardwoods are limited by the silvics of the species and site characteristics. variation among tree species in shade, competition, and waterlogging tolerance and sensitivity to micro-sites are the primary factors that control tree growth in lowland hardwood stands. Since mixed bottomland hardwood sites have more microsite variation within sites than do typical swamp sites, more species are present to work with. Consequently, there are more opportunities in mixed bottomland hardwood sites to use other regeneration techniques than in swamp sites. It appears that red oaks can be favored by use of the shelterwood technique, supplemental plantings, and by controlling midstory and understory competing vegetation. Results from two experiments indicate that overtopped red oaks will eventually out-compete other desirable tree species and occupy co-dominant and dominant positions in the canopy by age 30 years. Stand disturbances such as fire, grazing, and mowing appear to increase the composition of both southern and northern red oaks in mixed hardwood stands. The opportunities in cypress-tupelo swamps to use regeneration techniques other than clearcutting are quite limited. However, enough variation seems to exist among the silvical characteristics of these species to form two aged stands with cypress dominating the new regeneration.

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