Early Regeneration Following the Presalvage Cutting of Hemlock from Hemlock-Dominated Stands

Abstract

Abstract Live overstory hemlock were cut from three hemlock hardwood stands on the watershed of the Barkhamsted Reservoir in northwestern Connecticut. The presalvage cuttings occurred during a hemlock looper outbreak and in anticipation of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) infestation. All merchantable and accessible hemlock trees were cut, as were a smaller quantity of other species. The stands were harvested in 1992, 1994, and 1995–96. Over- and understory vegetation were surveyed in the harvested stands and in three nearby uncut, control stands in 1996. Findings suggest that the cut stands will regenerate to hardwoods in the near term. Hemlock regeneration was minimal and insufficient to replace harvested trees. Presalvage cutting of hemlock from hemlock-dominated stands, which typically lack sufficient advance hemlock regeneration, will contribute to the loss of the cover type due to HWA-caused mortality.