Initial planting densities for loblolly pine plantations in the Southeastern U.S.
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abstract
Market forces and innovations in forest management necessitate changes in the numbers of seedlings now needed to establish a financially successful loblolly pine plantation. The planting densities of 700 or more trees per acre that worked well a generation ago can give way to densities between 300 to 600 trees per acre. Simply put, forest landowners can grow more high-value timber by planting less. Planting at low densities, however, is most successful if the landowner plants high-quality seedlings suitable for the site, controls early competition, ameliorates soil problems as dictated by the site, and applies any necessary treatments to control regeneration pests.