Reclaiming Gap and Thinning

Woodland Owners’ View

This was an old clearing where hardwood saplings are creeping in. The saplings aren’t valuable wood and they are shading the white pine seedlings. Let’s make the opening larger.

Logger’s View

Easy terrain, good access, short yarding distance makes up somewhat for the small volume and low commercial value of the trees to be cut. It’s part of a larger job, which helps the economics overall.

Forester’s View

Old clearing where forest succession is slowly closing in from edges. Low value hardwood stems are suppressing a few white pine seedlings. Recommend expanding the opening to regain the canopy gap wildlife feature, and to regenerate higher value species such as pine.

Woodland Owners’ View

This stand has been opened up as a “patch cut.” Low valued tree species have been removed and space has been given to white pine trees. The tops of the trees will get wider over the next 10-15 years and shade will return.

Forester’s View

A half-acre patch cut has been opened up for regeneration and early successional habitat; low value stems removed to give more sunlight and growing space to higher value white pine sawlog trees; expect the crowns to fill in over the next 10-15 years, and seedlings (hopefully white pine) to establish in the patch cut.

Wildlife Outcome

American woodcock, eastern wood peewee and olive-sided flycatchers are likely to use the gap now. If pine or other softwood seedlings fill it in over time, magnolia warblers might find it attractive.

Equipment Used

In-woods cut-to-length processor; six-wheeled forwarder.