Natural Regeneration of Balsam Poplar Following Harvesting in the Susitna Valley, Alaska

Regeneration of balsam poplar was studied following clearcut logging with both chain saws and tractor-mounted shears in summer and winter. Logging with shears in both summer and fall resulted in the most surface disturbance and the greatest rate of poplar regeneration. Stocking averaged 29% (range 4-62%) 4 years after harvesting. Regeneration was from seeds, stump sprouts, root suckers, and buried branches. Regeneration in summer-and winter-logged sites was primarily from root suckers, but logging in the fall resulted in regeneration from buried branches. More than 50% of the stumps produced sprouts the 1st and 2d years; but after 4 years, only 15% of the stumps in the areas logged in summer still had live sprouts. Revegetation of clearcut areas was rapid and dominated by grasses, horsetails, willows, alders, and devil's club. Production of moose browse was much greater in the logged areas than in an unlogged control. Limiting clearcutting to summer and encouraging disturbance of the surface could increase poplar regeneration.