Silviculture Practices

The practice of silviculture, by which stands of trees are tended, harvested and replaced, can improve growth rates, quality, strength and other properties as well as help maintain a healthy, productive and sustainable forest.

Key to the practice of good forest management is knowledge of:

  • how a tree grows (diameter, height, volume) and division of trees into stands (composition, density, stocking)
  • site capability
  • species characteristics such as rooting habit, wind firmness, associated species, preferred growing sites and shade tolerance
  • how stands of trees are influenced by silviculture practices

Silviculture practices include:

  • Selection
    • single tree
    • group
  • Shelterwood
    • uniform method
    • strip method
    • seed tree method
  • Thinning-
    • pre-commercial thinning (PCT)
    • commercial thinning (CT)
  • Clearcutting with natural regeneration and artificial regeneration
  • alternate strips

  • progressive strips
  • patches
  • site preparation
  • planting
  • weeding

 

 

Professional advice and expertise regarding silviculture practices is available from forestry consultants, contractors, woodland owner organizations and industry located throughout the province.

Resources