Present methods and technology available for intensive management and extent of present use

Abstract

While there have been major technological developments in regional agriculture and forest harvesting and in intensive forest management in the Southern pine region and the Pacific Northwest, the application and development of intensive forest management has lagged in the Northeast. Some of the characteristics of low, medium and high yield forestry are presented and recent developments in operational and managerial technology are reviewed. It is concluded that we do have operational "hardware" for more intensive forest management, although mechanization could be further advanced. However, we are often lacking in the decision making "software", particularly at the 'whole forest' level, in order to account for the many factors which dictate which of the management options are appropriate. The northeastern forest, particularly the hardwoods, seem best suited to medium yield management for stand quality. The need for suitable financial incentives is stressed and attention is drawn to the important human and institutional problems that must be considered.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the symposium on intensive culture of northern forest types

Citation

Weetman, Gordon F. 1977. Present methods and technology available for intensive management and extent of present use. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-29. Upper Darby, PA: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 31-42