Canopy gap dynamics of second-growth red spruce-northern hardwood stands in West Virginia

▶ Mean canopy gap and extended canopy gap sizes were 53 m2 and 199 m2, respectively. ▶ 4.7% of the study area was in canopy gaps, with an annual canopy turnover rate of 1.4% year−1. ▶ American beech snags, associated with beech-bark disease, were the most common gap maker. ▶ We project that 4 of 10 gaps will be captured by red spruce saplings, however most will require more than one release.