Screening Some Stand Variables for Post-Thinning Effect on Epicormic Sprouting in Even-Aged Yellow-Poplar

Two years after thinning from below in even-aged yellow-poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.) stands in the Southern Appalachians, a net increase in epicormic sprouts occurred on 83 of 515 study trees, but 85 trees showed a net decrease. The net 2-year change in epicormic sprout numbers on butt logs was not correlated with thinning intensity, number of residual trees, age, or site index. Sprouting occurred mostly on the lowest third of the southeast face of butt logs. Four years after thinning, there were 172 epicormic sprouts 3.1 inches or longer distributed among 100 trees; 80 of these sprouts were 3 inches or longer before thinning. These results suggest that stands can be thinned without incurring serious degrade due to epicormic sprouting. Forest Sci. 18:155-158.