Interference to Hardwood Regeneration in Northeastern North America: Pin Cherry and Its Effects

Pin cherry grows rapidly in a bright environment, overtopping most desirable hardwood species. Its rapid early development helps to reduce nutrient losses from a site and provides a source of mast for wildlife. Some pin cherry trees live for up to 45-50 years, but their abundance usually decreases after 30-35 years. Pin cherry begins producing abundant seeds at an early age, and high proportions of these remain viable in the forest floor for up to 6-7 decades. Germination has been linked to high availability of nitrogen (N) in the forest floor, either following fertilization or increased decomposition of the humus layer. Heavy overstory cutting or natural disturbances that reduce stocking below 50-60 ft²/ac in stands or=3 pin cherry >or=3 ft tall, or >1 of them >5 ft in height, a release treatment may prove necessary to ensure good levels of stocking with desirable hardwoods of seedling origin. Landowners should pay particular attention when they find a high pin cherry density across more than 30-40% of the stand area. These criteria may indicate where a release treatment would improve the composition of young hardwood stands.