APPLICATION OF SELF-THINNING IN MESQUITE (PROSOPIS-GLANDULOSA VAR GLANDULOSA) TO RANGE MANAGEMENT AND LUMBER PRODUCTION

To gain a better understanding of the relationships between stand density and tree volume in mesquite, seven native stands were examined. Stand densities ranged from 6 to 19 000 stems ha-1, and estimated biomass ranged from 0.65 to 1300 kg stem-1. Regression equations were used to estimate biomass from basal diameters. A plot of estimated tree biomass vs. stand and density defined by the estimated self-thinning line: log W = -1.17 log d + 5.22 (r2=0.95), where: W is stem fresh weight (kg); and d stand density (stems ha-1). Regressiion of stand density on basal diameter, lumber volume stem-1 and total biomass ha-1 were also examined. When plots deemed to not be at full stand occupancy were excluded from the data set, a regression predicted that densities of 100 stems ha-1 would produce 35-cm-basal-diameter stems. This density also gave the highest lumber yield. © 1990.