An integrated approach for determining the size of hardwood group-selection openings

The use of group-selection methods is becoming more widespread as landowners and forest managers attempt to respond to public pressure to reduce the size of clearcut blocks. Several studies have shown that harvesting timber in smaller groups or clumps increases the cost of operations for both cable and ground-based logging systems. Recent regeneration studies have shown that the number of stems, numbers of shade-tolerant and intolerant species, basal area, and volume are affected by the size of the opening created. The size of the opening and resulting vegetation also affects the wildlife species that use these small openings. We integrated the results from several cable and ground-based logging studies with those from several regeneration studies to determine the most effective size of group-selection openings. Managers can maximize financial yields by using group-selection units of 1.25 acres or larger. These results should be valuable to managers, loggers, and planners considering group-selection methods.

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