Treatment of understory hemlock in the western white pine type

Abstract

Silvicultural practice for the national forests in the mixed western white pine stands of northern Idaho has long been complicated by the economic problems arising from the presence of aggressive, tolerant, low-value species, such as western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and lowland white fir (Abies grandis), in association with the less tolerant, faster-growing, high-value western white pine (Pinus monticola). Purely silvicultural measures to encourage the germination and survival of white pine (for example, the creation of more favorable light conditions on cut-over areas through the girdling and felling of unmerchantable hemlock and white fir) have always been contested on the grounds that these expensive measures were economically unsound. As a result, silvicultural practice in the white pine type has continually reflected the effort to maintain a common-sense balance between good silviculture and good economics.

Citation

Haig, I. T. 1933. Treatment of understory hemlock in the western white pine type. Journal of Forestry. 31(5): 578-583.