R. F. Harlow

Understory response was studied for 4 years following thinning in 44 cove hardwood stands in the mountains of western North Carolina and northern Georgia. Stands were in the pole and small-sawtimber stages, raning in age from 20 to 56 years. Understory vegetation increased from 334 kg/ha before thinning to 574 kg/ha the 1st year after thinning. Peak production of 777 kg/ha was reached in the 3rd year and began to decline slightly by the 4th year. Implications for deer, grouse and songbird management are discussed.

An analysis was made of 574 ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) crops and 157 gizzards collected during fall and winter from 3 locations in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Grouse crops from the northernmost localities contained more woody twigs and attached buds than grouse crops from locations farther south, and crops from southernmost localities contained more leaves of woody plants than crops from more northern areas. Plants common in grouse diets from all localities included leaves and fruits of greenbrier (Smilax spp.), the leaves of mountain-laurel (Kalmia latifolia), the fruits of...