Deferment cutting in central Appalachian hardwoods: an update

This paper summarizes research results on deferment cutting, a silvicultural practice that promotes a two-age stand structure, as it has been applied in central Appalachian hardwoods on the Monongahela National Forest (MNF) since 1979. Ten-year results from experimental cuts that were applied from 1979 to 1983 indicated that 89% of residual trees survived, 76 to 100% of the survivors maintained their initial grade depending on species, and d.b.h. growth increased for most species. Reproduction that developed following the experimental cuts included a wide variety of desirable commercial species, similar to that observed after clearcutting. Forest managers on the MNF began making operational deferment cuts as an alternative to clearcutting in 1991, and 20 stands were surveyed in 1996 to assess the condition of residual trees and the early development of reproduction. These results indicated that 92% of residual trees had survived, and grade reductions were minimal for most species. Reproduction was well distributed and consisted of many commercial species in each of the three forest cover types studied. Preliminary guidelines for applying deferment cutting to meet specific management objectives also are discussed.

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