Impacts of partial harvesting on stand quality and forest health

Partial harvesting practices, which include all stand thinning methods, and standard and evolving variations of shelterwood and selection methods, are commonly practiced in hardwood stands. Their use will likely increase as a result of forest practices legislation, and as ecosystem management initiatives and “New Forestry” approaches gain in acceptance and are applied. Stands in which partial harvesting is conducted are at risk from disease problems due to the direct and indirect impacts which logging injuries and stand and site disturbances may have. Harvesting may result in either an improvement in stand health and tree quality, or in the deterioration of stand health. In assessing or predicting the ultimate result of harvesting, the conditions of the harvest itself and the conditions of the stand prior to the harvest are of equal and high importance. Manipulation of harvesting conditions to minimize damage has been the focus of much research over the past half-century, and a substantial number of sound recommendations are available for application. Use of partial harvesting methods will rely largely, if not exclusively on natural regeneration for future crops. Increased attention to younger cohort groups in partially harvested stands would serve managers well in deciding current harvesting approaches, and in establishing guidelines for practices that work towards the improvement of forest health.

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