Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

A Comparison of Tree Growth in Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) Plantations and Silvopasture Settings in East Texas

Oswald BP, Weng Y, Farrish KW, Grogan J, Kruckeberg W and Barton T

A desire by landowners to diversify potential income sources has resulted in an increased interest in silvopasture. This intensive land management option allows for the production of timber, livestock and/or forage on the same land base. With traditional plantation systems featuring loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) common in the western gulf coast region of the southeastern United States, comparisons of tree growth are needed to justify the use of silvopasture. This study evaluated the height, diameter and volume growth 13 years post-establishment of loblolly pine in both silvopasture and plantation spacings on a single site in east Texas. Individual trees in silvopasture plots had greater diameter and volume than those in plantation plots; however, plantation plots yielded greater volume per hectare. The greater volume per hectare was driven by the greater number of trees planted (1282 trees ha-1) in plantation plots than those planted (598 trees ha-1) in silvopasture. In silvopasture, site resources are concentrated on producing larger-diameter, sawtimber size, and theoretically, higher-value trees.