Database

Optimize forest density with selective cutting

Habitat	Function	Type of work
Forest	High-quality timber	Pre-commercial thinning

Forests need to be renewed and managed in ways that ensure their long-term sustainability and productivity, as well as rapid carbon sequestration and high quality timber.

Description of the action

Use thinning to create optimal stand density (openness). After the last thinning, the distance between trees should be 2 to 2.5m, i.e., 1500–2500 trees per hectare (an adult should be able to move in such a way that their hands do not touch or minimally touch tree trunks).

Why?

Thinning must sufficiently open up the stand to ensure trees receive enough light and nutrients over the next few decades.