The major objective of this project is to encourage responsible management of forests by showing the results of alternative timber harvesting treatments. However, our demonstration would be incomplete without first permitting you to see how the forest would appear without a treatment. In many circumstances no cutting may be a preferred alternative. Please keep in mind though, that forests, even without cutting, are dynamic, and ever-changing.

The trees are about the same age-within 10 to 20 years-even though they vary in species, size and form. The forest represented by this block, as well as the entire demonstration area, is even-aged. Evidence on the site suggests, that the demonstration site was cleared for agriculture (i.e., crops and pasture) and subsequently abandoned to revert to forests around 1900. This stand is fully stocked, meaning that all the available resources (sunlight, space, nutrients and moisture) are being used. The treatments you will see at later stations have reduced the stocking level to redistribute these resources.

Key Points

• No trees were removed
• Provides reference point for other treatments
• Natural process will still change the forest