Stand-level growth and yield component models for red oak-sweetgum forests on Mid-South minor stream bottoms

Abstract

Red oak (Quercus section Lobatae)–sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) forest mixtures in the southeastern United States are important to wildlife habitat, water quality, and the production of grade hardwood for furniture, flooring, veneer, and other products (Banzhaf 2009). Cherrybark (Quercus pagoda Raf.), Shumard (Quercus shumardii Buckl.), and Nuttall (Quercus texana Buckl.) oaks are three of the forest’s most highly desired and valued grade hardwood species. The red oak–sweetgum complex is the most widely distributed of the high value timber forests in the state of Mississippi, and models that describe growth and yield, log grade, and stand development are essential to its management and sustainability. A majority of Southern pine growth and yield research has fo