Tree grade data from the "Partial Cutting Study" at the Dukes Experimental Forest, Upper Peninsula of Michigan

This data publication contains data collected in the Partial Cutting Study (PCS) at Dukes Experimental Forest (DEF) in Michigan, which was previously known as the Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest. The PCS, originally opened in 1926 and closed in 1966, used variations of selection system (uneven-aged silviculture) and diameter-limit cutting methods. The PCS was reopened in 2007 and the location of 15 permanent sample plots (PSPs), representing nine different cutting methods, were relocated. This publication contains tree grade data obtained from all 15 PSPs in 2007 and 2009. Diameter at breast height (DBH) is provided for all living hardwood trees (>10.4-inch DBH in 2007 and >8.8-inch DBH in 2009) of acceptable growing stock as well as butt log quality.
The PCS was developed at DEF in 1926 to investigate selection and other cutting methods for their potential to create continuous timber supplies due to concerns at the time over loss of timber reserves due to widespread high-grading.
Comprehensive information on the study’s history, silvicultural treatments, and data collected between 1927 and 1966, can be found in Kern et al. (2021). Data collection methods differed between the two time periods (1927-1966 and 2007-present) of the PCS and therefore have been published separately.