Management of Lodgepole Pine Stand Density to Reduce Susceptibility to Mountain Pine Beetle Attack

Authors

J A. Anhold
M J. Jenkins
J N. Long

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Western Journal of Applied Forestry

Publication Date

1996

Issue

2

Volume

11

First Page

50

Last Page

53

Abstract

Silvicultural strategies to reduce tree losses from mountain pine beetle attacks typically seek to reduce relative densities in order to increase tree resistance and thus lower potential beetle attacks. For lodgepole pine stands, however, the tree mortality/relative density relationship is nonlinear. We describe three relative density zones corresponding to different levels of resistance to beetle attack. In the density management of young lodgepole pine stands, we propose two alternative strategies to reduce future losses from mountain pine beetle attacks. The first density management regime involves a low density throughout the rotation. The second density management regime is designed to maintain relative density above a threshold level.

Comments

Originally published by the Society of American Foresters.
This article appears in the Western Journal of Applied Forestry.

Recommended Citation

Anhold, J., Jenkins, M. and Long, J. (1996). Management of lodgepole pine stand density to reduce susceptibility to mountain pine beetle attack. Western Journal of Applied Forestry, 11(2): 50-53.