1. Wood Harvesting Techniques Mr. Distasio

2. Leave nothing but limbs & branches behind. Works best for large stands with few species of similar ages whose seedling are shade intolerant. May rely on natural regeneration or planting to replace existing forest. 1) Clear-cutting

3. Natural Regeneration

4. Planting

5. 40 - 200 acre plots Irregular in size and shape. Why?

6. Clear-cut AdvantagesDisadvantages Fast & Economical Creates new habitat Increases surface runoff Aesthetically unappealing Soil erosion Fire hazard Destroys climax vegetation

7. 2) Selective Cut Based on stands of unevenly aged trees of different species whose seedlings are shade tolerant. To maintain age & species diversity, trees of all classes and quality are removed individually. Order of removal: 1) poor risk 2) understory 3) thinners 4) mature trees

9. Young red spruce will grow in the shade of larger trees. Thus trees of all ages and sizes are found growing side by side. In harvesting red spruce the most mature and marketable trees are selected for cutting. (In this picture they are the trees shown slightly darker than the others. After the marketable trees have been removed their neighbors provide seed for the new trees that will replace them. In the meantime other trees are maturing. In 10 to 20 years these trees are ready to be harvested in their turn. If carefully harvested, a forest of red spruce can provide a continuous supply of marketable trees.

10. 3 ) Shelterwood Cut Intermediate between clear-cut and selective cut Three step process: 1. Removal of poor quality trees 2. Best trees are left to reseed the forest and provide protection for the seedlings. 3. When the seedlings are established, the adults are removed.

11. Shelterwood CutShelterwood Cut

13. 4) Seed Tree Cut Usually involves two cuts : 1.Remove nearly every tree except for a few that will provide seed for the next generation 2.After new trees are established, the mature trees that remained can be removed.