Managing Power-Line Corridor Vegetation    (View PDF)

James O. Luken

Abstract: Power-line corridor vegetation represents a complex resource management problem that may entail various goals and management techniques. Unfortunately, few data exist on long-term effects of many management techniques thus making it difficult to determine if goals are being met. Using data collected from northern Kentucky power-line corridors, the long-term effects of repeated cutting on woody plant communities were assessed. Results suggest that repeated cutting favors dominance by black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and white ash (Fraxinus americana) while other species with dramatically different shade tolerances and life histories also persist. Although repeated cutting is not a successful method of inhibiting tree regeneration, it may have some utility depending on management goals and other types of management techniques used in combination with cutting.

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https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1991.070