Multiaged Silviculture of Ponderosa Pine

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson) is highly suitable for management using multiaged systems. This suitability is primarily the result of a frequent, low severity disturbance regime, but also because it naturally occurs at low densities and has a long history of management to promote multiple age classes. Several different stocking control tools are available for ponderosa pine including the q-factor, allocation of stand density index, and allocation of growing space represented by leaf area. These methods are applicable to pure or mixed stands. The productivity of multiaged ponderosa pine is shown to be comparable to even-aged stands. Trends in multiaged management have included shorter cutting cycles and lighter harvest treatments. Multiaged silviculture in ponderosa pine is highly suitable for achieving a variety of objectives including timber production, aesthetics, and restoring presettlement stand structures.