Document Type
Review
Publication Title
Maine Woodlands
Publisher
Maine Woodland Owners
Publication Date
2023
Publisher location
Augusta, Maine
Issue Number
11
Volume Number
48
Abstract/ Summary
This eight-part series in Maine Woodlands reviews a comprehensive array of silvicultural treatments to reduce beech interference while conserving disease-resistant trees and regenerating other valuable species. Two case studies show that patch clearcutting is often ineffective and counterproductive, leading to the dominance of resprouting beech and pioneer weed species. Shelterwood methods are required to promote advance regeneration of desirable species (maple, yellow birch, oak, white pine), but they must include treatments to reduce detrimental low shade cast by understory beech saplings. Following any beech removal, treating cut stumps with herbicide is essential to prevent vigorous root suckering and stump sprouts. Application of herbicides by cut-stump and stem-injection techniques (hack-and-squirt, drill-and-fill) are effective in killing individual stems. Cut stumps near disease-resistant trees must not be treated to avoid killing them via backflash through root grafts. Targeted foliar herbicide treatments applied using mist blowers (backpack, machine-mounted) are more efficient for controlling dense seedling and small sapling vegetation.
Repository Citation
Seymour, Robert S., "Silviculture of Diseased American beech (Fagus grandifolia)" (2023). Silviculture and Management of Maine’s Forests. 2.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/silviculture/2
Version
publisher's version of the published document
