Relationships Between Vigor of Resprouting and Intensity of Cutting in Coppice Stands

The success of any cutting operation in sprout hardwood stands, whether designed to stimulate the growth of residual trees or to open the stand and thus encourage seedling reproduction, depends to no small degree upon the extent to which the cut stumps resprout and take possession of the openings created. For this reason studies have been undertaken by the Allegheny Station to learn the effect on resprouting of varying the degree of cutting in coppice stands. Ultimately it may be possible to select a cutting method which will result in maximum benefit to the stand with a minimum of resprouting.