FAS Abstracts 2004 Meeting Page

Agricultural Sciences (AGR): AGR-13

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Tree growth of thinned Loblolly pines in Quincy, North Florida. O.U. ONOKPISE, and L.A. WHILBY. Forestry and Natural Resources Conservation, Division of Agricultural Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307. As part of a Natural Resources Conservation Program, loblolly pine trees were planted on a farm in Quincy, North Florida, between 1981 and 1983. Trees had a spacing of 4 m x 4 m. From November 2001 to February 2002, trees were systematically thinned to a spacing of 4 m x 14 m in preparation for an agrosilvopastoral system. Tree diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured at 5, 10, 15 and 22 months after thinning (MAT), in order to determine tree growth and productivity under the spacing achieved. Diameter was determined by using a hand-held diameter calipers. Mean diameter for all trees was 2.55 m, 2.74 m, and 2.97 m at 5, 10 and 19 MAT respectively. The increased tree growth (up to 20 %) as represented by DBH, in just 19 MAT may be due to the wide spacing achieved from the thinning process, allowing for more light penetration and reduced competition for soil resources among the trees. Other observations included wind damage and the rate of decay of stumps following thinning with regards to sustainable agriculture.