Silvicultural Practices in Forests of the Southern United States: Insect and Disease Considerations’

The relationship between silvicultural practices, e.g. thinning, and pest organisms (insects and diseases) has been investigated extensively in pine species but to a lesser degree in hardwoods. Of critical interest is the potential negative impact to the residual stand resulting from insect damage and diseases that develop as a consequence of silvicultural practices. This is especially true with the increasing economic opportunities in southern forests. Our intent is to report the positive and negative impacts of silvicultural practices for hardwoods in the southern United States that relate to insects and diseases. Emphasis will be placed on stand modification practices. The impact of these practices on current or potential pest problems will be discussed with respect to current and past research concerning insects and disease. Management approaches will be suggested that will help minimize loses from insects and diseases.