Harvesting Program
Seed Tree Harvesting
Seed Tree Harvesting, otherwise known as Selection/Shelterwood Harvesting, is a partial harvest of a good quality mature stand with the objective of promoting natural regeneration. The normal practice is to harvest the stand in two or more steps, removing the lower quality trees first, and leaving the best trees as a seed source. In the past it was common for woodlot owners to harvest in this way, but they often cut only the good quality trees, leaving the poor trees as a seed source for the new crop. This process became known as "High Grading" and is the reason why many woodlots have seen a decrease in quality over the past 200 years. Today, the same harvesting techniques can be used to insure trees of better quality are left after each harvest, reversing the process of degradation.
In order to be a candidate for seed tree harvesting, the trees must be of good quality and wind firm with crown closure being such that it is causing low light conditions on the forest floor.
In order to be a candidate for seed tree harvesting, the trees must be of good quality and wind firm with crown closure being such that it is causing low light conditions on the forest floor.
Semi-Commercial/Commercial Thinning
Semi-commercial thinning is similar to pre-commercial thinning except that the stand is older, and some of the trees have reached commercial size; the stand is immature and is too dense for the crop trees to achieve maximum growth. In order to maximize the growth rate on the crop trees and minimize the rotation period, thinning is required. Some of the stems cut in the spacing activity will be large enough to make pulp, studwood, etc. These will be extracted for sale, and the proceeds used to help pay for the thinning operation. Commercial thinning is much the same as semi-commercial thinning, except the stand is older, and there are even more merchantable wood overtopping the crop trees.
In order to qualify for semi-commercial/commercial thinning, the trees in the stand must be wind firm, young enough to respond to thinning, and the upper density of the crown must be high enough that the crowns of the crop trees need releasing. If these criteria are not met the trees remaining after thinning may blow down or the growth rate may not increase.
In order to qualify for semi-commercial/commercial thinning, the trees in the stand must be wind firm, young enough to respond to thinning, and the upper density of the crown must be high enough that the crowns of the crop trees need releasing. If these criteria are not met the trees remaining after thinning may blow down or the growth rate may not increase.
Clear Cutting
Clear cutting is the complete removal of all merchantable trees on a stand, leaving it bare and open. This is a common harvesting practice, and is usually followed by site preparation and planting. This ensures that the species that return to the site are optimal species. There are various harvesting techniques that can be implemented for this treatment, and they vary by equipment availability and stand conditions. In areas that are wet most of the year, winter harvests may be implemented to remove the merchantable wood while the water is frozen, thus minimizing site damage/rutting.