Forest Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating The Influence Of Stem Form And Vigor On Product Potential, Growth, And Survival For Northern Commercial Hardwood Species, Mark Castle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Northern hardwood and mixed-wood forest types occupy a considerable percentage of the forest landscape across the Northeastern United States and portions of eastern Canada. While capable of producing valuable saw timber and veneer products, hardwood species demonstrate a wide range of stem quality resulting from the large variety of stem forms and defects that these species can manifest. The effect of different stem forms and damage has largely not been accounted for in predictions of volume, growth, and mortality. In addition to potential bias in growth and yield applications, the lack of quantification of these features has left the …