Forest management strategies exist on a spectrum of intensities to achieve the many benefits forests provide. On one end of the forest management spectrum is passive forest management. 

Active forest management can include engagement with your forest, but not through timber harvesting. An example is controlling invasive plants that may be taking over your forest and limit tree regeneration. Establishing hiking/snowmobile trails is another example.

Of course, active forest management approaches can include harvesting trees to meet your goals, such as creating a specific type of wildlife habitat or regenerating desired tree species. The number of trees, species harvested, and pattern of the tree removals should be guided by a qualified forester in order to meet your goals. Learn more about the role of a forester. Find a forester working in your town. 

The lowest intensity of harvesting is called “thinning.” Thinning works with the current trees in the forest. The goal of thinning is to direct your forest’s limited resources such as space, sunlight, water and nutrients to the specific trees that will help you meet your goals. More resources focused on fewer trees will lead to faster tree growth rates and larger crowns, increasing the carbon storage, the amount of nuts/seeds the tree produces for wildlife, increased habitat opportunities, and the financial value of the tree.  

A well-planned timber harvest can also be used to initiate new trees in your forest.  This type of harvesting is broadly called a “regeneration harvest.”  The amount, species, and pattern of trees to be removed will depend on the types of trees you hope to regenerate to meet your goals.  Some trees grow fast and are most competitive in full sunlight, requiring large openings (> few acres).  These trees are known as shade intolerant because they cannot grow in shaded conditions.  Examples of shade intolerant trees include paper birch, aspen, and black cherry. Trees that are most competitive in intermediate sunlight (50% sun/50% shade) are known as shade mid-tolerant, requiring gaps >.5 acre to a few acres in size. Examples of mid-tolerant tree species include red oak and white pine.  Shade tolerant species such as hemlock and sugar maple grow slowly and are most competitive in forests with low light levels (<.5 acres). Promoting tree species which will grow well in your soils and be well-adapted to future conditions will help your forest remain vigorous and resilient.

In addition to focusing on the species you hope to regenerate, thoughtful forest management implemented through timber harvesting should also consider the “structure” of the forest - the parts of the forest and their arrangement.  Forests with simple structure have similar size trees with little diversity (e.g., a plantation).  Complex forests have trees of all different sizes, a diversity of vegetative layers, and an ample amount of standing and downed dead trees.  Forest structure is the primary characteristic to which wildlife will respond. Active forest management provides an opportunity to create forest structure that will provide habitat for desired species. Complex forests can help your forest be resilient to disturbances such as insects and wind events.

While focusing on the trees to be removed is natural when considering active management, its more important to focus on those parts of your forest that should be retained, such as large trees, diverse species, regeneration, dead trees (standing & downed), and ecologically and culturally important sites. Those parts of the forest that are retained will help provide continuity for the forest and the benefits they provide you.  Focusing on retention will also help carry some of the current benefits your forest provide forward into the future forest and help your forest regenerate and sustain itself.

Importantly, you don’t need to choose only one strategy: passive or active.  You can choose to apply them both on your property by choosing areas of your forest that you want to dedicate to each type of strategy.  

While active forest management through timber harvesting can help you achieve the species composition and forest structure to meet your goals, implementing a successful timber harvest requires a number of important considerations.  Learn more.