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Catalog
of Long Term Research Conducted by the Northeastern Research Station
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Catalog #34
| Title: |
Kane Experimental Forest
Weeding Study
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| Objective: |
To study the effect of silvicultural treatment on the growth
of selected crop trees. |
| Year Established: |
1936 |
| Year Completed: |
expected to continue |
| Site Description: |
Kane Experimental Forest. Block 1 is in the eastern half of
compartment 1, block 2 is in compartment 7 & 8, block 3
is in compartment 9 and block 2 is in compartment 11.
Slopes for all 4 blocks ranged from 10% (upperslope) to 7%
(midslope) to 5% (plateau). Elevation ranged from 1920' to
2080'. Soils were Clymer silt loam. In 1936, stand density
varied among the 4 blocks: Block 1, largely pin cherry, had
an average density of shrubby and herbaceous ground cover
of 63%. Block 2 was predominantly maple with some black cherry
and had a 21% herbaceous and shrubby ground cover. Block 3
was more than half covered by sugar maple. Other significant
species were beech and pin cherry. The canopy was dense and
the ground cover 25%. Block 4 is comprised mostly of sugar
maple & black cherry with a scattering of red maple, beech,
yellow poplar and cucumber magnolia. Hemlock was absent. Herbaceous
& shrubby growth covers an average of 45% of the area
surrounding crop trees.
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| Statistical Design: |
4 randomized blocks sampling different stand conditions. Each
block is 6 chains wide, 8 chains long and 4.8 acres in area.
Within each block, 12 square 0.1-acre plots are spaced at 1
chain intervals and arranged in 3 columns and 4 rows. Each 0.1-acre
plot is surrounded by an isolation strip that is 0.5 chain wide.
Adjacent plots are considered as pairs or twin plots, of which
there are 6 in each block. |
| Likelihood of Locating Study Areas: |
100% |
| Experimental Treatments: |
The treatment applied to the plots were light, silvicultural,
and heavy weedings. Of the 6 twin plots in each block, 2 were
treated by each of the 3 weeding methods. The assignment of
treatments was entirely random: 1936.
Second weeding on lightly weeded plots if necessary: 1941.
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| Sampling Methods: |
Analysis of data was divided into the following categories:
1. Growth of all crop trees vs. treatment
2. Growth of crop trees of different species vs. treatment
3. Response of crop trees of different crown classes
4. Height growth of crop trees
5. Competition index
6. Changes in bole form, clear length, etc.
7. Stand density and growth rate
8. Changes in stand composition
9. Stand development
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| Variables and Sampling Frequency: |
Crown length, crown ratio and flatness index: 1941 photographs:
1936.
Crop tree descriptions, species, d.b.h., height to base of
crown, clear length, total height, vigor, crown width, crown
density, topshade, crown class, crown distribution, number
of branches by size, form, bole defects, circumference injured,
density of ground cover, origin and diameter of parent stump:
1936, 1941, 1946, 1952, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1988.
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| QA/QC Practices: |
Plot corners are permanently marked.
Crop trees were clearly marked: written descriptions of each
marked tree were recorded.
Data visually checked during computer data entry. |
| Data Storage: |
Raw data by plot reside on DG and tally sheets are kept with
written instructions and detailed maps to each stand.
Annually, the raw data are transformed using the REGEN1 program
in DG Info. System. Summarized data by plot and by stand reside
in a DG-based program that can output to ASCII text files. |
| Global Change Research Applications: |
Studies of Ecosystem Processes |
| Data Availability: |
each request is reviewed |
| Publications and Reports: |
Establishment report. 1937. C. E. Ostrom. U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment
Station, Warren, PA. |
| Contact: |
Susan Stout, USDA, Forest Service, P.O.
Box 267, Irvine PA 16329. (814) 563-1040 |
| Cooperation: |
none |
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