The biology of Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) nees in regenerating upland hardwood stands in southwest Virginia following clear felling

The objective of this study was to describe the biology of Sassafras albidum growing on upland hardwood sites in the Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province of Virginia ln an attempt to better understand how this common understory species becomes a dominant vegetative component following clear-felling. Biomass and leaf area regressions were developed using data collected from stems growing on xeric sites (SI₅₀ < 15.2 m) and mesic sites (SI₅₀ > 18.3 m). Due to strong heteroscedasticity in the data, logarithmic allometric equations were found to be the best fitting models. No significant differences were found between biomass equations from the two site qualities. Leaf area regressions were found to be significantly different. Excavations of the root systems of stumps and residual stems found in clear-felled upland hardwood sites indicated that sassafras has a prominent lateral root system. Roots were between 5 and 15 cm in-depth and contained several sprouts. A comparison of the regeneration origin of sassafras stems growing on two sites with differing available soil moisture suggests that root sprouting was the dominant form of regeneration on dry sites, whereas on most sites root sprouting and seedling origin stem were present in equal amount. Root sprouts were significantly larger in size than seedlings. Sex ratio determinations across four site qualities showed a male biased sex ratio. Although sassafras is reported to be delicious, hermaphroditic flowers were found on all sites. Comparison between male and female plants on each site suggest that males have a slight competitive advantage.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forestry

Department dc:contributor.department

Forestry

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Blount, Thomas Edward

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/51910

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/51910