High-elevation Quercus rubra forests in the Appalachian Mountains represent a transition zone between temperate mixed-Quercus forests that dominate lower elevations (<1350 m) and Picea-Abies forests at high (>1530 m) elevations. Little information exists specific to the response to disturbance, including timber harvesting, in these forests. In this study, we examined the long-term (22 years) effects of alternative regeneration methods – group selection harvests (GSH) and shelterwood with high (SWH; 9.0 m²/ha) and low (SWL; 5.0 m²/ha) residual basal area, and undisturbed control (CON) – on the development of the regeneration layer in high-elevation Q. rubra forests in the Appalachian Mountains. Treatments affected the density of the regeneration layer (stems ha⁻¹; SPH), but results varied by species group. Density of Q. rubra saplings (stems ≥ 3.8 cm dbh and <10.9 cm dbh) was significantly greater in GSH (250 SPH), SWH (85 SPH), and SWL (121 SPH) than CON (0 SPH). For shade-tolerant species, density averaged 1095 SPH in SWH and SWL and was significantly greater than in CON. Shade-tolerant Acer rubrum was the most abundant species in the sapling layer 22 years post-harvest. Survival of individuals tagged and followed over time was unaffected by treatment, however, height of Quercus seedlings was greatest in treatments with lower residual basal area (GSH and SWL). At Y22, the relatively low density of successfully regenerated Quercus stems in the regenerated stands suggests that additional treatments, including crown-touch release and/or prescribed burning, may be necessary to secure the continued recruitment of Quercus in these high-elevation Q. rubra forests.

阿巴拉契亚山脉中的高海拔栎树森林代表了在较低海拔（<1350 m）占主导地位的温带混合栎森林与高海拔（> 1530 m）的云杉-冷杉林之间的过渡带。在这些森林中，几乎没有专门针对扰动措施的信息，包括伐木。在这项研究中，我们研究了替代再生方法的长期（22年）影响–群体选择收获（GSH）和高（SWH; 9.0 m ² / ha）和低（SWL; 5.0 m ² / ha）的防护林残留的基础区域和不受干扰的控制（CON）–在高海拔Q. rubra上再生层的发育阿巴拉契亚山脉的森林。处理影响了再生层的密度（茎ha ^-1； SPH），但结果因物种组而异。GSH（250 SPH），SWH（85 SPH）和SWL（121 SPH）中的Q. rubra幼树（茎≥3.8 cm dbh和<10.9 cm dbh）的密度显着高于CON（0 SPH）。对于耐荫物种，SWH和SWL中的密度平均为1095 SPH，并且显着大于CON中的密度。采收22年后，耐荫的宏cer（Acer rubrum）是树苗层中最丰富的物种。被标记并随时间推移而追踪的个体的存活不受治疗的影响，但是栎属的高度残留基面积较低（GSH和SWL）的处理中，幼苗最大。在Y22，再生林中成功再生的栎属茎的密度相对较低，这表明可能需要进行其他处理，包括冠触释放和/或规定的燃烧处理，以确保在这些高海拔Q. rubra中继续吸收栎属。森林。