Development of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) regeneration under a reserve shelterwood after intermediate removals and windthrow

We followed the growth response of naturally regenerated 12-year-old white pine for 4 years after a shelterwood removal cut in a mixed red and white pine stand having an overstory that was significantly reduced by windthrow at the beginning of our study. Postrelease overstory density was reduced to levels (4.5 m2 ha) that did not significantly influence any regeneration growth parameter while understory woody competitors taller than sample trees negatively influenced growth. Analyses revealed differential response to release based on prerelease growth rates with slower-growing trees responding fastest. Release shock persisted for the fastest prerelease growers up to 4 years after harvest.