Size of clearcut opening affects species composition, growth rate, and stand characteristics.

In the late 1950's and early 1960's, a series of studies was installed in the central hardwood forest to determine if size of clearcut opening affects the growth rate and species composition of new stands. In 1991, about 30 years after cutting, stand data were collected in 89 openings ranging in size from 0.04 to 1.61 acres. The number of stems per acre increased with opening size; however, the number of shade-tolerant species constituted a greater proportion of the stand in small openings (< 0.5 acre), while the proportion of shade-intolerant species increased in larger openings. Basal area and volume of the current stands increased markedly with opening size for openings up to at least 1 acre. Results of this study indicate that opening size has a major influence on stand characteristics after about 30 years.