Blackbutt advance regeneration: its persistence and significance

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Abstract
In 1968, thirty stems of advance regeneration of E. pilularis, between 0.5 m and 3.0 m tall, which had been inadvertently knocked over by a silvicultural operation, were marked, measured and photographed. These stems had developed several upright shoots at variable distances from the butt. By 1978 twenty seven of the plants were still alive, and there was usually just one upright epicormic shoot surviving per plant. In all these cases it was the largest shoot on the stem in 1968 which survived to 1978 irrespective of distance from the butt. The survivors had good form and growth. Growth rate was not related to the horizontal distance of the shoot from the butt. This remarkable demonstration of apical dominance indicates that the deliberate cutting back of prostrate stems to force coppicing close to the butt is not essential for good recovery, though it may be advisable in order to achieve stability of the tree in the longer term. Because prescribed fire may cause unacceptable levels of death and damage to blackbutt advance regeneration a thorough inspection needs to be made before prescribed fire or other inappropriate cultural treatment is imposed.

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