Thinning and Crown Release

Woodland Owners’ View

There are too many trees in this stand. It’s crowded with maple and oak. If the stand has some of the trees removed next to the best trees, then the remaining trees will grow better and faster.

Logger’s View

This size wood is ideal for a mechanical harvester and small chipper. Flat, old field ground like this is pretty easy on the fuel tank, too. Looks like a good chance.

Forester’s View

A typical old field grown up to oak and maple, in this case. The stand is overstocked. Recommend bringing down to B-line and favoring the best pole and sawlog quality red oak, maples and birch, releasing crowns on two to three sides.

Woodland Owners’ View

Much better to see through, for hunting and just walking around the rest of the year. The remaining trees are going to benefit from the extra light and space.

Forester’s View

Now the stand is near optimum stocking; residual stand damage is negligible, and the remaining crop trees should increase in growth and value over the next cutting cycle. Look at this again in about ten years.

Wildlife Outcome

Scarlet tanagers and other songbirds prefer predominantly oak stands with a fairly closed upper canopy.

Equipment Used

Three-wheeled feller buncher, small grapple skidder, commercial chipper.