Comparison of Understory Chemical and Mechanical Treatments to Promote Regeneration of Desirable Forestland Species

Invasive woody plants and trees can have a negative impact on desired tree regeneration in the understory of forest stands, and forage density in grassland sites. An assessment of chemical and mechanical treatments on woody plants in the understory of forestland and in grassland is needed. Two experiments were set up in two forest stands and in two grassland/forest edge sites, with two treatment times during the growing season in the first year of the study. On the forestland sites, chemical and mechanical treatments were applied on undesired woody plants to see if they effect the regeneration of desired tree species (oak, hickory, elm, hackberry, and black walnut). Results showed that the percentage of cover of desired tree natural regeneration was significant from year 1 to year 2. On the grassland sites, I assessed forage density before/after treatments to quantify the difference in the reduction of competition from the undesired woody plants. Results showed there was an overall forage production increase from year 1 to year 2 due to the elimination of woody species the first year of the study. There was a negative forage response from the early summer treatment and a positive forage response from the late summer treatment. Results of this study will be helpful to forest practitioners and landowners that seek to mange dense understories and woody plant species in pastures