Response to early things in Victorian Pinus radiata stands up to age 25.  W. D. Incoll and T. Baker.  August 1979.  13 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

This report examines the responses of some Victorian Pinus radiata stands to non-commercial thinning at about age five years.

The experimental treatments were thinning to 988 trees/ha and to 618 trees/ha. Randomised block designs employing four replications were established in the Myrtleford, Rennick and Macedon forest districts. Data for a heavier thinning (247 trees/ha retained) were obtained from a 5 x 5 latin square design established in the Macedon district.

Analysis of thinning response in stands up to age 25 years indicated that early thinning increased the mean DBHOB of log sized trees (largest 247 trees/ha) at age 25 years by about 2 cm on high site qualities, 4 cm on medium sites and 5.7 cm on low sites; and that early thinning to about 700 stems/ha reduces the time required to reach a nominated mean diameter by at least five years.

Early thing increased estimated log volumes available at age 25 years on high and medium quality sites. On low quality sites log volume was reduced by thinning. Money values of the stands at age 25 years increased with site quality. For stands of high and medium site quality thinning increased stand value but for stands of low site quality stand value was reduced by thinning.

Also published:

Incoll, W.D. and Baker, T. (1980)  Response to early things in Victorian Pinus radiata stands up to age 25.  For. Comm. Vic., For. Tech. Pap. 28: 18-25.