Terrace Spacing of 2nd Growth Stands – Project 1

The goal of this project was to thin overly dense hemlock and amabilis fir stands to facilitate healthier and faster tree growth. These stands had densities of over 5,000 stems per hectare (sph), which limits the ability of trees to grow, yielding many small and variable diameter logs unsuitable for sawlogs. By spacing these stands down to 800-1000 sph, trees grow larger in height and diameter, reaching target sawlog dimensions 30 years sooner than unspaced stands. The overall total stand volume growth rates are maintained, resulting in the improvement of low-value stands to high-value stands suitable for sawlogs.