A Stocking Guide for European Larch in Eastern North America

Abstract

Abstract European larch is a fast-growing exotic species that shows promise in alleviating projected fiber supply shortages with numerous plantations being established in the Lake States, the Northeast, and Canada during the last two decades. Prescribing thinning regimes for these plantations would be facilitated through the use of a stocking chart. Few older plantations exist in North America, however, thus fitting equations to construct an A-line that requires data from a large number of stands is not possible. We introduce a new approach to constructing an A-line by using the stand density index that in essence is a modification of the traditional tree area ratio approach. We then invoke the self-thinning rule to produce a reference line for Maximum Average Density and an equation for open-grown trees to produce a reference line for Full Site Occupancy in the construction a stocking chart for field use. We also provide yield estimates by diameter class at maximum and minimum stocking levels. North. J. Appl. For. 20(1):34–38.