Abstract Prescriptions for site preparation developed in west Florida sandhills provide for use of 11-ton duplex brush cutters during nine months of the year. Two choppings spaced 6, 12, or 18 weeks apart eliminated wiregrass and effectively reduced hardwood competition preparatory for planting slash pine. Both the month of the first chopping and the interval between the two choppings significantly affected survival and growth of planted slash pines, number of hardwood sprouts, and the proportion of planted pines overtopped by hardwoods.
Burns et al. (Fri,) studied this question.