In this treatment, the stocking was reduced to about 60 percent by removing all the trees between two calculated diameters. In other words, the medium-sized trees were removed, leaving the largest dominate trees and the smallest trees. The result is what appears to be a two-ages stand of maturing sawtimber and youger saplings. In fact. the trees that are left may be very similar in age. Overall, the average tree diameter in the stand has been reduced, and the composition of species has been shifted towards those that are more tolerant of shade. Additional growing space has been made available for the sapling-sized trees. The trees that were removed were merchantable, providing some financial return.

Key Points

• Appearance of two-aged stand
• Provides some immediate income
• Large trees are left