Table 4 .--Characteristics of stands in serotinous cone survey , 

 Gallatin National Forest^ 1962, and Targh.ee National 

 Forest, 1964 



Study area ] 



■ Average age 



\ Average d.b.h. 



: Average 



: total height 





Years 



Inches 



Feet 



West Yellowstone Flat 



111 



8.3 



49.2 



Madison Plateau Front 



88 



6.7 



53.0 



(old burn) 









Island Park Flat 



117 



10.0 



66.0 



Moose Creek Plateau 



191 



12.5 



61 .0 



SIGNIFICANCE OF STORED SEED PER ACRE 



Seed per acre, stored in closed cones, give an estimate of the biotic potential of 

 the previous stand to regenerate the disturbed area. If one knows the probability of a 

 seedling becoming established (probable seed-seedling ratio) at a specific age (1 year 

 old, 3 years old, etc.) for a given seedbed condition, habitat type, climate, and 

 aspect, he can then estimate the number of seedlings per acre that can be expected at 

 the age specified. 



Throughout its range, lodgepole pine regeneration tends to vary. Stored seed per 

 acre can vary from a few thousand to a few million and considering this wide 'ran'ge an 

 estimator need only be concerned with large differences in stocking potential; that is, 

 whether one might expect stocking on the order of a few hundred stems per acre or tens 

 of thousands per acre. 



After harvesting lodgepole pine in central Montana foresters can expect 20,000 

 seedlings per acre. Elsewhere, as in some parts of Wyoming, an absence of the seroti- 

 nous cone habit in lodgepole pine requires an artificial means of regenerating the 

 stand. However, in many areas, regeneration by natural means is variable. On.e of the 

 important factors in this variability is the number of seed stored in serotinous cones 

 of the species. An estimate of seed per acre is the first factor to consider in pre- 

 dicting success or failure of the natural regeneration process in lodgepole pine. 



We can now see a number of opportunities to regulate stocking through manipulation 

 of either the estimated seed supply or the environment. It is possible to secure ade- 

 quate stocking on areas where experience-based seed-seedling ratios and stored seed 

 estimates indicate probable understocking. This can be accomplished by any one of the 

 following: intensifying site preparation; treating slash to assure maximum seed release; 

 treating the area to reduce seed loss to rodents; or by using a combination of these 

 treatments to gain maximum benefits from stored seed. Conversely, expected overstock- 

 ing may be reduced by: limiting site preparation; reducing disturbance of the soil sur- 

 face during logging; or by treating the slash to destroy a portion of the stored seed. 

 During preparation of cutting plans, it is important to fully realize the potential for 

 natural regeneration. This information will be useful in preparing stand prescriptions 

 for future treatments; these treatments may involve major thinning operations or the 

 gathering of seed and growing of seedlings at a nursery. 



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