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One of 10 principles I teach in hardwood silviculture courses and workshops, and one relevant to all forestry, is recognition that all species have value for any management objective whether we realize it or not. Without stepping into the whole biodiversity issue, here is an example from bottomland hardwood ecosystems.
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)-often called ironwood, blue-beech, or muscle-wood-is a shade-tolerant midstory canopy tree commonly found in southern bottomland hardwood forests. This species has long been considered a "weed," especially when managing for quality hardwood sawlogs. But American hornbeam has many functions and values that do not interfere with the objective of growing quality hardwood sawlogs.
Recent research involving stand development of bottomland hardwoods has indicated that stratified stands composed of cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and American hornbeam are usually even-aged although the diameter distribution will depict the reverse-J-shaped curve typical of unevenaged stands. Early in the life of the stand, following old-field succession or a major disturbance such as a tornado or clearcutting,...