A practical alternative to single tree selection?

Abstract

When landowners want to develop and maintain an uneven-aged tree structure in eastern hardwood stands, single-tree selection often is suggested as the only advisable, long-term partial regeneration harvest method. Single-tree selection is preferred because it provides a means for improving quality and controlling stocking of the residual stand necessary for sustained yield of desired products. Although studies have shown that single-tree selection is feasible where desirable shade-tolerant species can be regenerated, it is rarely applied because marking stands for harvest can be dificult and time consuming. Instead, diameter-limit cutting is the most common partial regeneration practice used in eastern hardwoods, primarily because it is much easier to apply. Unfortunately, strict diameter-limit cuts do not provide for control of residual stocking or improve the quality of residual trees. However, based on 20-yr results, most objectives of single-tree selection can be attained with flexible diameter-limit harvest guidelines based on potential value increase of individual trees combined with an improvement cut in small sawtimber trees at each periodic cut.

Citation

Miller, Gary W.; Smith, H. Clay. 1993. A practical alternative to single tree selection?. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. 10(1): 32-38.