To address the technical requirements for the sustainable management of precious hardwood natural forests in Northeast China, this study investigates the long-term effects of thinning at different initial densities on the growth, stand structure, and species composition of precious tree species (Fraxinus mandshurica, Juglans mandshurica, and Phellodendron amurense), with the aim of determining appropriate thinning intensities for differentiated management. In the Zhangguangcai Ridge area of the Changbai Mountains, stands were classified into three density levels based on initial density: low (D1, <500 trees/ha), medium (D2, 500-1 000 trees/ha), and high (D3, >1 000 trees/ha). Within each density category, 37 thinning plots were established, including a control (CK), low-intensity (LT), medium-intensity (MT), and high-intensity (HT) treatment. Lower-canopy tending was conducted in 2016, and in 2023, a follow-up survey measured growth indicators such as diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, and volume, as well as species-specific indices and Weibull diameter distribution parameters. Thinning effects were modulated by initial density. At D1 density, the low-thinning (LT), implemented at a tree-number cutting intensity of 10%-14%, proved to be the most effective silvicultural treatment for facilitating the holistic development of the valuable hard broadleaved species assemblage, while concurrently sustaining a relatively stable stand condition. At D2 density, LT (stand density 2%-14%) maintained the highest volume growth (growing stock increment: 5.774 m³) while forming stands with larger DBH (scale parameter is 30.42 cm) and excellent structure (shape parameter is 4.49). At D3 density, MT (stand intensity of 15%-28%) effectively alleviated competition among trees, significantly promoted DBH growth (scale parameter is 4.76), and optimized stand structure. Therefore, thinning measures for precious hardwood natural forests should be implemented differentially based on the stand’s initial density. Low-density stands are suitable for low-intensity thinning (stand intensity of 10%-14%, volume intensity of 9%-12%), medium-density stands are suitable for medium-intensity thinning (stand intensity of 17%-28%, volume intensity of 14%-27%), and high-density stands require high-intensity thinning (stand intensity of 15%-28%, volume intensity of 8%-14%).
ZHANGH, LIUW S, WANGY Q,et al.Intraspecific and interspecific competitions of the three hardwood tree species in Northeast China[J].Bulletin of Botanical Research,2024,44(6):870-878.
LIUY H.On issues in cultivating “Three Major Hardwood” forest stands[J].Journal of Heilongjiang Vocational Institute of Ecological Engineering,2007(4):37-38.
CHENZ, WEIH L, ZHOUQ Y,et al.Influence of tending and thinning on the stand structure of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations[J].Journal of Central South University of Forestry & Technology,2022,42(5):54-64.
SUF L, LIUM G, TANX R,et al.A study on thinning density of natural secondary forest in Liaoning East[J].Journal of Northwest Forestry University,2007(4):106-109.
DUANJ, MAL Y, JIAL M,et al.Effect of thinning on Platycladus orientalis plantation and the diversity of undergrowth vegetation[J].Acta Ecologica Sinica,2010,30(6):1431-1441.
MAL Y, LIC Y, WANGX Q,et al.Effects of thinning on the growth and the diversity of undergrowth of Pinus tabulaeformis plantation in Beijing Mountainous Areas[J].Scientia Silvae Sinicae,2007(5):1-9.
[13]
TANGZ Q, GUOS Y, CHENS L,et al.Comparative evaluation of natural regeneration assessment methods and their responses to environmental factors[J].New Forests,2025,57(1):8.
[14]
汪洁.天然中幼龄林抚育意义与优化措施[J].广东蚕业,2024,58(2):53-55.
[15]
WANGJ.Study on the significance and optimization measures of natural young and middle-aged forest nurturing[J].Guangdong Sericulture,2024,58(2):53-55.
WANGW F, HANZ F, LIG C.Spatial structure parameters based on voronoi diagram and stand optimization of Pinus sylvestris plantation[J].Forest Engineering,2025,41(5):948-957.
WUJ Q, WANGY X, YANGY,et al.Effects of crop tree release on stand growth and stand structure of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation[J].Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology,2015,26(2):340-348.
LYUW W, LIUG, CHENX B,et al.Effects of different thinning intensities on growth dynamics and tree layer structure of natural secondary forest of Fraxinus mandshurica [J].Forestry Science & Technology,2022,47(1):30-34.
SUNY, MAH B, CHENGF S,et al.Tree species composition and community structure of natural secondary forests in the middle-eastern mountainous area of Northeast China[J].Journal of Central South University of Forestry & Technology,2024,44(1):140-150.
[24]
WENG W, MAJ C, XUW Q,et al.Response of understory plant functional groups to changes in stand spatial structure in Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) plantations depends on thinning mode and intensity[J].Journal of Environmental Management,2025,376:124441.
SHENH L, CUIX K, SUNH L,et al.Relationships between stand growth and site factors in young mongolian scots pine plantations in the eastern region of Northeast China[J].Forest Engineering,2020,36(3):12-20,68.
DONGL L, ZHAOJ C, WANGC C,et al.Study on diameter structure and growth dynamics of mixed Quercus mongolica broad-leaved natural stands after tending thinning[J].Journal of Southwest Forestry University (Natural Sciences),2019,39(6):98-104.
[29]
LUCAS-BORJAM E, PETERSONC L, STEVENS-RUMANNC.Managing pine forest ecosystems after fire:The need of being proactive under future uncertainty[J].Forest Ecology and Management,2025,598:123188.
LIL B, FANGW, MAL,et al.Effects of thinning measures on soil microbial diversity of Pinus massoniana forest in pine wilt disease endemic areas[J].Forest Engineering,2024,40(5):82-93.
DONGL H, LIF R.Stand-level biomass estimation models for the tree layer of main forest types in East Daxing’an Mountains,China[J].Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology,2018,29(9):2825-2834.
LIX N, GUOQ X, WANGX C,et al.Allometry of understory tree species in a natural secondary forest in Northeast China[J].Scientia Silvae Sinicae,2010,46(8):22-32.
WANGG, SHAX L, CONGZ L,et al.Digitization and functional expansion of Jilin Provincial timber volume and yield tables[J].Journal of Green Science and Technology,2020(9):142-144.
[40]
李晓娜.帽儿山天然次生林常见下木生物量的相对生长与分配[D].哈尔滨:东北林业大学,2011.
[41]
LIX N.Biomass allometry and allocation of common understory in a natural secondary forest in Maoershan,Northeast China[D].Harbin:Northeast Forestry University,2011.
LUOH B, YUEC R, ZHANGG F,et al.Forest volume estimation based on dummy variables and factor selection[J].Journal of Northwest Forestry University,2022,37(1):205-210.
WUF M.Model selections of earthquake probability prediction and early warning based on statistical distribution:A case study of Sichuan and Yunna[D].Chongqing:Chongqing University,2021.
[46]
NGUEDJIOL, TAKAMM J, PITTIM R,et al.Analyzing creep-recovery behavior of tropical Entandrophragma cylindricum wood:Traditional and fractional modeling methods[J].International Journal of Solids and Structures,2025,306:113122.
LIY Z, SUNN, LIUQ F,et al.Community structure and α diversity patterns of natural broad-leaved Korean pine forests in Fenglin Nature Reserve[J/OL].Forest Engineering,1-13[2025-12-29].
[49]
KWONY, CHOIJ, PATTONM.Assessing tree migration potential:Growth deviations and range dynamics in Eastern U.S.forests[J].Forest Ecology and Management,2025,586:122718.
[50]
MAMMOS, ANAMOA, BOHNETTE.Woody species population structure and regeneration status of Hereje natural forest,Southwest Ethiopia[J].Forest Science and Technology,2025,21(1):26-37.
SUNH Z, WANGX P, ZHANGS B,et al.Abiotic and biotic modulators of litterfall production and its temporal stability during the succession of broad-leaf and Korean pine mixed forest[J].Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology,2021,45(6):594-605.