Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Maine Woodlands

Publisher

Maine Woodland Owners

Publication Date

Summer 6-2021

Publisher location

Augusta, Maine

Issue Number

6

Volume Number

46

Abstract/ Summary

This article discusses the perceived white pine regeneration crisis in Maine, drawing on recent forest inventory data and outlining practical silvicultural approaches. The historical context shows that the long era of agriculture abandonment has concluded, leading to a stark decline in pure white pine seedling/sapling (ages 0-20) stands, which plummeted from 352,000 acres in 1971 to only 4,000 acres today. US Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data indicate that pine is successfully regenerating, but primarily within mixed species stands rather than the pure, even-aged monocultures regenerated between 1860 and 1960. Maine currently hosts approximately 237 million white pine saplings in the 2-inch dbh class (1.0 to 2.9” dbh), or 14 per forested acre. This stocking level has increased since the 1999–2003 period (when it was 193 million trees). The total population of 2” white pine trees is 115 times the number harvested annually (2,054,575), confirming that there is no immediate crisis.

The silviculture for regenerating white pine successfully is well known but not widely applied. Recommended management strategies involve reserving large, dominant trees in harvests and scheduling cuts to coincide with infrequent good pine seed years. To promote sapling survival, midstory shade competition (e.g., fir, beech, hemlock, red maple) must be reduced, though small clumps should be retained for bird habitat. Regeneration harvests should aim to scarify the forest floor to expose mineral soil. This site preparation can be achieved economically by dragging coarsely limbed pine top sections using machinery like a cable skidder. Where natural seed sources are lacking, planting 2-0 pine seedlings can be planted to enrich the stand, with subsequent protection against pests like the white pine weevil and blister rust recommended.

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