Chinese tallow tree: methods of control in floodplain forests
Siemann E and Rogers W. 2002. Chinese tallow tree: methods of control in floodplain forests. Houston, TX
Study looking at controlling Sapium sebiferum (Chinese Tallow Tree) invasion in bottomland hardwood forest. Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum) is a major non-native invader in the Gulf Coast, forming monospecific stands and displacing native plants. Long-term records of tallow tree invasion into bottomland forests in Big Thicket National Preserve show that since 1980 tallow has emerged from obscurity to become the most abundant sapling species. We propose to eliminate mature tallow trees in randomly selected plots totaling 320 acres (128 ha). This treatment will then be evaluated to determine (1) whether removing mature tallow trees controls tallow invasion, (2) how much of the seed input into a target area comes from different distances, and (3) how seedling recruitment depends on distance to parent trees. Our results will guide the development of a tallow tree management plan by providing valuable information needed to make sound and informed management decisions. This experiment represents the first large-scale replicated experimental test of an emerging theory of forest ecology.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Siemann, Evan; Rogers, William
- Date of Issue
- 2002-10-16
- Units
- BITH
- Keywords
- bottomland hardwood forest, Chinese Tallow, Neches Bottom Unit