Diameter variability in loblolly pine plantations

Diameter variability in loblolly pine plantations was investigated using a dataset of 2502 thinned and unthinned plot measurements covering the entire native loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) range. The proposed model for estimating standard deviation of diameter (STD) uses commonly available stand variables (average diameter, number of trees, age). The variability of STD among physiographic regions is explained by plot elevation. The proposed model explains 91% of the variation in STD. An independent dataset (with 10 measurements of 45 plots) was used to evaluate the model. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.