E. Heitzman et Rd. Nyland, INFLUENCES OF PIN CHERRY (PRUNUS-PENSYLVANICA LF) ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG EVEN-AGED NORTHERN HARDWOODS, Forest ecology and management, 67(1-3), 1994, pp. 39-48
Data collected from a young, even-aged northern hardwood stand in cent
ral New York revealed differences in species composition and patterns
of development between permanent plots having a high and low stem dens
ity of pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L. f.). Twenty years after clea
rcutting, pin cherry dominated the high density plots. It persisted on
ly as large, scattered individuals among low density plots. Low densit
y plots had about three times more dominant and codominant stems of sp
ecies other than pin cherry, including over five times more dominant b
lack cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), and dominant and codominant sugar
maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). Dense patches of pin cherry appeared t
o inhibit other trees from growing into the general level of the main
crown canopy. After pin cherry dies, all plots will contain a mixture
of shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species. However, high density
areas will have fewer sugar maple and black cherry, and an overall low
density of surviving stems.