First year coppice regeneration of Quercus emoryi and Quercus arizonica in the Huachuca Mountains, Arizona

Abstract

Emory oak (Quercus emoryi) and Arizona white oak (Q. arizonica), currently being harvested for fuelwood in encinals of southern Arizona, usually regenerate through stump sprouting. Adjacent to a Huachuca Mountains fuelwood cutting area, 3 replications of four thinning treatments (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% intensity) were established in January, 1986. Regeneration was assessed one year later by examining the effects of thinning intensity, partial or complete stem cluster cutting, and tree characteristics. Clearcutting greatly increased the proportion of stumps that sprout for Emory oak and increased sprout volume production for both species in comparison to thinned plots. Partially cut multi-stemmed tree clusters were less likely to sprout and have less sprout volume growth after one year than completely cut clusters. Regression models were developed to estimate sprout volume production based on thinning intensity, percent stem basal area cut, tree vigor, number of tree stems, and heart rot.