Harvest Cutting Old-Growth Lodgepole Pine in the Central Rocky Mountains

Natural reproduction, growth and mortality of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.), were tested after three partial cutting treatments and clearcutting. Well distributed, abundant reproduction was established after clearcutting and heavier partial cutting. Burning slash had no advantage over lopping and scattering in regenerating a new stand. Growth of residual stands increased only where one-half the volume of the original stands had been reserved. Mortality was reduced only by clearcutting, which is recommended for bringing old-growth lodgepole pine under management; reproduction was as abundant and better distributed than under any of the partially cut stands, and windthrow was reduced.