Oak-dominated forests in the eastern US face persistent regeneration challenges due to competition from shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species. Irregular shelterwoods have been proposed as an alternative to uniform shelterwoods to create microclimatic gradients favorable to mid-tolerant species such as oak. This study quantified regeneration dynamics 8 years after establishing 60 m diameter silvicultural gaps in mature oak stands. Twelve experimental units were sampled along gap- edge-matrix transects, with half receiving midstory removal in the forest matrix surrounding the gaps. Generalized additive models showed that distance from gap center significantly influenced oak height, which declined sigmoidally from gap center into the matrix, while midstory removal had no significant effect on oak height or density. Our analysis revealed strong species-by-distance interactions for height and density. Oaks attained greatest height near gap centers but were overtopped by yellow-poplar and outnumbered by red maple across all locations. Oak competitiveness was most evident near gap edges; however, canopy recruitment remains uncertain given competitor size and density. Results indicate that the study's treatments promoted oak advance reproduction but did not eliminate competitive disadvantages, suggesting that the proposed microclimatic benefits of irregular shelterwood practices alone may be insufficient to ensure oak recruitment and persistence through stem exclusion.

White oak (Quercus alba L.) is an ecologically and economically important tree species, common in upland hardwood forests throughout the eastern United States (US). This study examines the population dynamics of this foundational species over the past 30 years, highlighting both range-wide and regional metrics of change. Using data from the USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis program, we analyzed changes in age and size distributions, as well as recruitment, mortality, and growth rates. We found a significant shift towards an older, mature-dominant population, with a notable decline in young age classes. Despite substantial increases in standing volume, net annual recruitment for trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 in. was negative—a concerning result for long-term sustainability if persistent. Regional analyses highlighted variation as most areas showed no signs of overutilization, but some exhibited volume reductions over the last 30 years and currently unsustainable growth-to-drain ratios. Other areas, spanning almost ¾ of the study region exhibited either seedling or sapling scarcity suggesting recruitment- or establishment-based bottlenecks that challenge long-term sustainability. Our results underscore the importance of management strategies to address challenging demographic rates. Efforts to mitigate the risks and effects of population decline and maintaining the myriad benefits white oak provides to eastern US forests, especially in the context of climate change and shifting species ranges, benefit from a deeper understanding of the ecological and socioeconomic factors driving these results.

White oak is a major commercial tree species and an important timber resource in Kentucky. However, current forest inventory trends from the Central Hardwood Forest Region (CHFR) reveal a sustainability threat from declining white oak regeneration and recruitment leading to a disproportionate inventory structure. Using Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data together with the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS), we performed a base run analysis of projected inventory levels of white oak sawlogs to better understand whether the inventory level is sustainable to support the current harvest level of white oak in the future. The projections were further examined by tree grades to provide a general outlook on the quality of white oak timber growing in Kentucky’s forests in posterity. By doing so, we generated results that indicate that projected inventory levels of white oak sawlogs cannot be considered sustainable to support current harvest levels from 2058 onwards. In addition, the long-term trends in inventory levels of high-quality white oak sawlogs would be continuously declining whereas that of low-quality sawlogs would be steadily increasing. On the brink of these significant inventory shifts, our study calls for proactive forest management approaches to stabilize the white oak timber resource supply in Kentucky and beyond. This study examines the future inventory of white oak in Kentucky based on tree quality under a baseline harvest level. The main finding of the article is that the projected inventory levels of high-quality white oak sawlogs would continuously decline over the 50-year period. The study results, such as the precipitous decline of sawlog inventory after 2058, warrant a call to action on white oak–dependent stakeholders to develop sustainability plans and make timely investments in white oak forest management to counteract mounting ecological and economic pressures.

Myotis bats have experienced significant population losses due to white-nose syndrome (WNS) throughout large portions of their distributions in eastern North America. As closed-space foragers, these species comprise an important feeding guild within eastern forests. An understanding of where summer populations remain and how their ecology has changed following impact from WNS is needed to assess fully the recovery potential of Myotis bats. We used acoustic sampling, capture surveys, radiotelemetry and roost surveys from 2015 to 2018 to evaluate the status of northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) in an eastern Kentucky forest following region-wide impacts from WNS to this species. Acoustic activity of Myotis remained unchanged over the 4 y of sampling, with activity of these bats greatest in mid- to late July. Northern long-eared bats represented 97% of the Myotis captured, indicating activity levels likely reflected patterns for this species. We located 18 roost trees of northern long-eared bats in five tree species, including both live and dead trees. All roost trees were on upper slopes within 100 m of ridge top roads. Maximum exit counts, 24 and 21, at two roosts occurred in late May and early June, suggesting these dates represented the summer maternity period of northern long-eared bats in this forest. Our results demonstrated that post-WNS populations of northern long-eared bats on Robinson Forest formed small colonies, day-roosted in trees near roads on forested ridge tops, were reproductively active, and maintained steady levels of activity across the 4 y of sampling. These data suggest that local populations of northern long-eared bats are surviving WNS and continue to persist during summer months in forests of the Appalachian Mountain region. We hypothesize presence of ridge top roads, often associated with forest logging operations, may be important habitat elements for increasing availability of preferred roosting habitat for summer populations of northern long-eared bats in actively managed forests.

Crop tree release (CTR) can be an effective intermediate silvicultural treatment for culturing high-value stems in mixed hardwood stands. The lengthy rotation of hardwoods requires long-term evaluations if silvicultural treatment effectiveness is to be fully evaluated. Our study provides a 35-year evaluation of individual-tree and stand response to CTR imposed in small sawtimber-sized white-oak (Quercus alba L.)-dominated stands. The focus on white oak is justified based on the significant biologic and economic values of the species, and this study furthers our ability to optimize use of CTR as management tool for sustaining our oak resources. The replicated experiment included three treatment levels: 20 crop trees ac−1, 34 crop trees ac−1, and a control. Using a repeated-measures framework, we analyzed (1) how CTR affects growth and stem quality of white oak crop trees and (2) stand-level effects of CTR on basal area, stocking, and ingrowth. CTR increased crop tree diameter growth and proportion of crop trees reaching their maximum potential grade. However, crop tree diameter growth and proportion achieving maximum potential grade did not differ between the 20 and 34 crop trees ac−1 treatments. Finally, CTR stimulated stand-wide growth without altering the patterns of ingrowth density or species distributions.

We assessed short-term light and regeneration dynamics following silvicultural gap creation in intermediately productive oak (Quercus)-dominated stands of the Northern Cumberland Plateau, USA. We established 12 experimental units comprising a harvest gap (30-m radius) and a matrix zone extending 30 m beyond the circumference of the gap. Midstory removal was performed using manual felling and chemical deadening within the matrix zone of six experimental units, while those of the other six units remained undisturbed as controls. Belt transects extending 60 m from the gap center to the end of the matrix zone were delineated within each unit to quantify spatial light patterns and regeneration dynamics of oaks and woody competitors. Mean light transmittance ranged from 86% full sun at the gap center to 10% at the outer margin of the matrix zone. Light transmittance decreased from approximately 70% full sun within the gap at 10 m from the gap edge to 20% full sun at 10 m within the forest matrix. Two-year height growth and total heights of oaks were greatest within the gap interior and decreased toward the gap edge and subsequently into the adjacent forest matrix. We observed no statistical differences in light or regeneration patterns between control and midstory removal forest matrix zones. After two years, woody competition from non-oak stems, particularly yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), was high within the gap interior, and 50% of non-oak stems were taller than the average oak seedling (50 cm). At the gap edge and within the adjacent forest matrix, <20% of non-oak stems were taller than 50 cm. Light conditions fostering taller oak reproduction and reduced rates of overtopping competition identify the gap edge environment as a zone of competitive oak reproduction within which future regeneration efforts may prove effective.

Disturbances created by timber harvesting equipment and associated haul roads and skid trails can create overland sediment flows (sediment paths), especially in steeply sloping terrain, leading to stream sedimentation. This study investigated the effect of variables associated with GPS tracked harvest equipment movement, skid trail development and retirement, topography, and streamside management zone (SMZ) width and tree retention on sediment delivery to streams. While the intensity of harvest equipment traffic was not correlated with sediment path development, the presence and location of skid trails were. All of the sediment paths were found to originate at water control structures, influenced by microtopographic features, on the skid trails directly adjacent to SMZs. Mesic slopes were associated with increased sediment path development across all SMZ configurations. Two factors, the accumulation of coarse logging debris in the SMZ and the increased distance of skid trails to streams, were both correlated with decreased sediment path development. The study provides insight into how these variables interact and can be used to develop site-specific guidelines for SMZs in steeply sloping terrain that could improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

Aim of the study: Quantify potential economic benefits of implementing computer-generated skid-trail networks over the traditional operator-designed skid-trail networks on steep terrain ground-based forest operations. Area of study: A 132-ha harvest operation conducted at the University of Kentucky’s Robinson Forest in eastern Kentucky, USA. Materials and methods: We compared computer-generated skid-trail network with an operator-designed network for a 132-ha harvest. Using equipment mounted GPS data and a digital elevation model (DEM), we identified the original operator-designed skid-trail network. Pre-harvest conditions were replicated by re-contouring terrain slopes over skid-trails to simulate the natural topography and by spatially distributing the harvestable volume based on pre-harvest inventories and timber harvest records. An optimized skid-trail network was designed using these pre-harvest conditions and compared to the original, operator-designed network. Main results: The computer-generated network length was slightly longer than the operator-designed network (53.7 km vs. 51.7 km). This also resulted in a slightly longer average skidding distance (0.71 km vs. 0.66 km) and higher total harvesting costs (5.1 $ ton-1 vs. 4.8 $ ton-1). However, skidding costs of the computer-generated network were slightly lower (4.2 $ ton-1 vs. 4.3 $ ton-1). When comparing only major skid-trails, those with ≥ 20 machine passes, the computer-generated skid-trail network was 28% shorter than the operator network (9.4 km vs. 13.1 km). Research highlight: This assessment offers evidence that computer-generated networks could be used to generate efficient skid-trails, help determine skidding costs, and assess further potential economic and environmental benefits. Key words: timber harvesting; forest operations; network optimization; soil disturbances; cost minimization.

Extended abstract —Shelterwoods are recommended in the Central Hardwood Forest Region (CHFR) due to the intermediate shade tolerance and advance reproduction dependence of the region’s primary oak ( Quercus ) species. Due to the widespread development of subordinate canopies dominated by shade-tolerant species, midstory removal is a typical component of oak shelterwood systems within the CHFR. This work presents the effect of midstory removal on light availability and seedling development when applied following uniform and expanding-gap shelterwoods. Leveraged studies were completed on the Berea College Forest (Madison County, KY) and occurred on intermediate quality sites (upland oak site index ranged from 22 to 24 m) associated with the western edge of the Northern Cumberland Plateau ecological section. The first study documented the effect of midstory removal on the survival and growth of natural advance reproduction and underplanted white oak ( Quercus alba L.), northern red oak ( Quercus rubra L.), and black oak ( Quercus velutina Lam.) (Craig and others 2014). The response of the predominant shade-tolerant competitor, red maple ( Acer rubrum L.), was also evaluated. After six growing seasons, relative height and groundline diameter (GLD) growth of all oak species were significantly greater in the midstory removal treatment than in the control but did not differ between reproduction types. Survival of oak advance reproduction was high (>96 percent) and was not affected by midstory removal. However, underplanted oaks had significantly lower survival (47– 70 percent) than the oak advance reproduction. While midstory removal significantly increased six-year relative height growth of red maple, the treatment did not affect red maple’s relative GLD growth or percent survival. Together these studies support midstory removal as a silvicultural approach for oak whether the shelterwood is applied uniformly across a stand or implemented using principles of gap-based silviculture to increase structural complexity and microclimate heterogeneity. Midstory removal enhanced light availability primarily by increasing canopy heights and improved growth of natural and underplanted oaks, though the practice was also shown to increase height growth of shade-tolerant competitors. Data suggest that light availability may be greater following midstory removal in the gap-edge environment than following the treatment in a uniform shelterwood. While midstory removal enhanced light and seedling growth beyond gap margins, it did not appear to increase the spatial extent of a gap’s influence on edge environment.

This study examined the influence of midstory removal applied 9 years prior to a shelterwood establishment cut on survival, growth, and competitive status of black oak (Quercus velutina Lam.), white oak (Quercus alba L.), and an oak competitor, red maple (Acer rubrum L.), immediately before and at 6 years following shelterwood cutting on intermediate productivity sites in the Central Hardwood Forest Region. We also examined height and density distributions of the regenerating cohort to quantify seedling establishment and to elucidate relative oak competitiveness at each time period. Although oak seedlings were taller 9 years after midstory removal than in undisturbed controls, the midstory removal treatment reduced the frequency of free-to-grow oaks (relative to understory competitors) and increased the size of red maple and relative density of large competitors. Height growth of all three species following establishment cutting was increased by prior midstory removal and dependent on seedling competitive position immediately before shelterwood establishment. Additionally, we observed increased seedling densities 6 years following shelterwood establishment cutting and greater white oak seedling establishment when midstory removal preceded the shelterwood treatment.

Context Terrestrial reptiles require varied thermal environments to promote optimal physiological performance, growth, reproduction, and survival. Aims Our study was designed to determine whether gap-based silvicultural practices offer suitable thermal environments for eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) by examining environmental temperature variation and body temperature of eastern box turtles in, and adjacent to, canopy gaps. Methods We recorded box turtle body temperature from 20 radio-tracked turtles and environmental temperatures (canopy gaps and undisturbed habitat) using temperature loggers from June to September 2014 in a managed forest after canopy gaps (0.28–1.13 ha gap–1) were created via gap-based silviculture. Key results Over the four-month study period, gap temperatures were generally higher than adjacent undisturbed microhabitats. Box turtle body temperatures were closely correlated with environmental temperatures in undisturbed habitat in June and July. Turtle body temperatures were, however, closely correlated with environmental temperatures in canopy gaps in August and September. In addition, box turtles in our study had activity areas that overlapped canopy gaps from 0 to 65%, depending on the individual. As percentage overlap of canopy gaps increased, turtle body temperatures were increasingly correlated with canopy gap temperatures. Furthermore, as percentage overlap of canopy gaps increased, daily mean body temperature records consistently stayed within the preferred box turtle body temperature range (20.2–26.2°C). Conclusions Our study suggests that gap-based silviculture can create thermally compatible environments for box turtles depending on the time of day and year, and that box turtles use these microhabitats to thermoregulate. Implications The application of relatively small-scale silvicultural practices (≤1 ha gap–1) that provide heterogeneity in forest structure, composition, and function may be a useful alternative to clearcutting and other intensive harvesting methods that are associated with declines in terrestrial reptile populations.

This manuscript seeks to further the understanding of how silvicultural gap size affects stand development and growth patterns among species. The authors studied an experiment established more than 50 years ago in oak (Quercus spp.) dominated stands that tested three gap sizes, 0.02 ha, 0.16 ha and 0.46 ha. Statistical analysis addressed stand-Level trends associated with tree size, density, and sawtimber volume as well as species recruitment and individual tree growth and volume. Distinct patterns among gap sizes were present in overall structural characteristics including a significant increase in year 51 sawtimber volume with increasing gap size. Data also indicated that conditions present in the different gap sizes had an influence on individual tree size and that the nature of this effect varied among species group. Tree recruitment among the primary species groups, maple (Acer spp.), oak and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), was strongly related to gap size and a notable trend with species shade tolerance was present. Results highlighted how shifting species proportions and changes in tree size associated with different gap sizes can alter important stand characteristics that affect management and forest utility within gap-based silvicultural approaches for upland mixed oak forests in the study region.

We evaluated the feasibility of using a multi-camera security system to conduct time and motion studies. It was installed on a John Deere 540G cable skidder and connected to the skidder's battery for continuous recording with minimal effort and intervention. After recording the skidder's work for eleven experimental skidding cycles, time stamped video footage was visually inspected to obtain time consumption of work tasks, which provided for accurate calculation of total cycle times and delays. Several advantages of the security camera system including quick and non-invasive installation, large memory storage, transferability, resistance to weather elements, and the capacity to capture different views, offer a great potential for this method to be adopted as a reliable approach to accurately conduct time and motion studies. Along with distance and gradient information for skid-trail segments, we also explored the influence of gradient on travel time for loaded and unloaded skidding. There is a need for future studies to formally explore this relationship and develop more detailed cycle time equations that explicitly take into account skid-trail gradient for individual segments. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Streamside management zones (SMZ) are a common best management practice used to minimize impacts to water quality from forest harvesting. Information on the effectiveness of SMZ use in Kentucky is limited. Moreover, details on SMZ configuration (size, layout, canopy retention) is lacking. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of varying SMZ configurations on stream ecosystem function. Results indicated that the use of elevated stream crossings and maximizing the amount of undisturbed forest floor near streams via a combination of increased SMZ width and canopy retention was effective at minimizing water quality impacts from forest harvesting.

Hardwood lumber harvested from the temperate broadleaf and mixed broadleaf/conifer forests of the east-central United States is an important economic resource. Forest industry stakeholders in this region have a growing need for accurate, reliable estimates of high-quality wood volume. While lower-graded timber has an increasingly wide array of uses, the forest products sectors in those states would be negatively affected if there is ongoing forest degradation due to the relative loss of higher graded timber. The United States national forest inventory provides data that could answer whether the supply of higher graded timber is decreasing despite an overall increase in merchantable wood volume. To study trends over time, however, one must take into account the partial lack of independence within forest inventory and monitoring datasets with repeated measurements on the same permanent plots and the trees within them. By doing this, we demonstrate that the data show significant decreases in the relative saw-log volume found in higher-graded, commercially valuable hardwood trees in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee from 2001 to 2013, most notably a decrease in the percentage of tree grade 1 saw-log volumes in Kentucky and a decrease in tree grade 2 saw-log volumes in Tennessee. We also identified a potential increase in lower quality (tree grade 4) saw-log volume in both states. These findings would be consistent with indirect and anecdotal evidence of degradation in hardwood resource in portions of the region. However, substantial annual fluctuations in the volume percentages by grade led us to question the validity of those observed trends. Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) data collected in conjunction with those tree grade data were not sufficient or consistent enough to allow us to verify whether we are observing real trends or data collection anomalies, thereby compromising our ability to provide important information to land managers and decision makers. The occurrence of hardwood tree grade fluctuations over time illustrates the need for robust QA/QC procedures in national forest inventories. More frequent QA/QC data collection and analysis, field data collection training consistency across regions, and potentially simplifying field measures of tree stem quality could provide more clarity and confidence when assessing the condition of forest resources. Published by Elsevier B.V.