Plant Propagation and Tree Management

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of thinning in tree management?

To increase the number of branches on a tree

To eliminate some individual trees for better growth (correct)

To enhance the thickness of tree trunks

To encourage crown-shyness among adjacent trees

Which of the following best describes crown-shyness?

The shedding of leaves in autumn

Spacing between tree crowns to prevent leaf overlap (correct)

The phenomenon of tree roots competing for nutrients

Increased growth rate of adjacent trees

How is the Mean Annual Increment (MAI) calculated in tree management?

As the average increment of material during the stand's lifetime (correct)

As the total biomass divided by the number of trees

By measuring growth only in the last year

Based on the growth observed in the most recent two years

What is a tree fork in the context of tree management?

A point in the trunk where branches diverge and are equal in size Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'stocking' refer to in tree density management?

The proportion of tree vegetation in a given area Signup and view all the answers

Which thinning method specifically focuses on cutting trees in lines or narrow strips?

Row Thinning Signup and view all the answers

What operation aims to free young desirable trees from competition without regard for the crown canopy position?

Free Thinning Signup and view all the answers

Which management operation focuses specifically on removing competition from crop species to enhance growth?

Weeding Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Thinning Schedule in tree management?

To systematically plan for desired vegetation benefits and products over a rotation Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum width of bark strips required for peeling as a propagation method?

8 inches Signup and view all the answers

Which technique involves the felling of undesirable trees by severing the bark and cambium in a ring?

Girdling Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the process involved in intermediate cuttings?

Cuttings can be made between the top and bottom of the strips. Signup and view all the answers

What do salvage cuttings primarily focus on removing?

Dead or diseased trees Signup and view all the answers

In the context of sanitation in plant propagation, what do the cuttings target?

Injured or diseased sections of trees Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about plant propagation methods is incorrect?

Peeling requires strips less than 8 inches wide. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of A-grade low thinning in forestry?

To salvage remaining trees by removing dead or nearly dead trees. Signup and view all the answers

In which type of thinning are the dominant trees primarily removed to improve the lower crown growth?

Selection thinning Signup and view all the answers

Which thinning method involves the removal of co-dominant trees along with their lower crown sections?

C-grade low thinning Signup and view all the answers

What does spacing thinning primarily focus on when deciding which trees to retain?

Trees at fixed distances from each other. Signup and view all the answers

Which thinning grade is characterized by the removal of trees with partially dead or broken crowns?

B-grade low thinning Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plant Propagation Methods

Peeling involves removing strips of bark at least 8 inches wide.
Intermediate Cuttings are made between the top and bottom of peeled bark strips.
Harvesting of intermediate cuttings can occur in a pocket.
Salvage cuttings are made from dead or diseased trees.
Sanitation cuttings are made to remove injured or diseased sections of trees.

Tree Management

Pruning involves cutting or removing branches of trees.
- Natural Pruning occurs naturally due to physical or biotic factors.
- Crown-shyness is a phenomenon where leaves space between adjacent tree crowns.
Artificial Pruning includes techniques like:
- Removing dry branches.
- Selective treatment of trees.
Removal of Forks involves removing tree forks where branches are roughly equal in diameter (less than 4 cm).
Thinning is the elimination of some individuals in a stand to manage wood production.
- Amount added in a given year is a crucial factor for thinning.
- Current Annual Increment (CAI) is the amount added in a given year of the period.
- Periodic Annual Increment (PAID) is taken over a short period, equivalent to a certain number of years.
- Mean Annual Increment (MAI) is the average increment of material during the stand's lifetime.
- Gross Increment is the material formed during the year but not present at the end.
- Net Increment is the material present at the end of a period.
Stand Density measures the amount of tree vegetation over a unit of land.
Stocking indicates the proportion of tree vegetation in a given area.

Tree Thinning and Management Techniques

Thinning Methods aim to manage tree stands.
- Row Thinning involves cutting trees in lines or narrow strips.
- Commercial Thinning extracts felled trees for useful products.
- Free Thinning focuses on releasing crops without regard to their position in the crown canopy.
- Thinning Schedule provides a systematic plan for a whole rotation, balancing vegetation benefits with desired products.
- Release Operation treats young stands of desirable trees, focusing on freeing the crowns from competition.
Stand Management Operations include:
- Cleaning in a stand, not past the sapling stage, to free the best trees from undesirable individuals.
- Weeding removes all plants competing with crop species (suppressing, endangering, or hampering growth).
- Liberation Cutting frees young stands from overtopping older trees.
- Girdling involves felling undesirable trees by severing the bark, cambium, and sometimes the sapwood in a ring.
- Double Hacking involves removing a horizontal line of chips by striking downwards.
- Notching involves cutting notch rings around the tree, halting upward water movement.

Thinning Methods in Forestry

Parameters for thinning include:
- Number of trees per unit area, the simplest parameter.
- Basal area per unit, measuring the cross-sectional area of physiologically dead wood.
Low Thinning, often the oldest method, is sometimes called thinning from below.
Grades of Thinning:
- A-grade low thinning removes dead or nearly dead trees.
- B-grade low thinning addresses trees with partially dead or broken crowns.
- C-grade low thinning removes co-dominant trees along with lower crown sections.
- D-grade low thinning removes trees smaller or shorter than a given standard (sometimes called the French method).
Types of Crown Thinning:
- Crown Thinning removes trees from the middle and upper portions of their canopy.
- Selection Thinning removes dominant trees, encouraging growth from lower portions of the trees.
- Thinning of the dominants removes dominant trees in even-aged stands to stimulate lower crown growth.
Other Thinning Forms:
- Geometric Thinning uses a predetermined spacing pattern for removing or retaining trees.
- Spacing Thinning selects trees at fixed distances for retention, removing all others, often used when a stand is overcrowded.

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Description

This quiz explores essential methods of plant propagation and tree management practices. Learn about various cutting techniques, pruning methods, and the importance of tree sanitation. Test your knowledge on how to effectively manage trees for optimal growth and health.