DACF Home → Bureaus & Programs → Maine Forest Service → Projects → What will my woods look like? → Thinning: White pine plantation in an old field
Thinning
Site: White pine plantation in an old field
Woodland Owners’ View
This is an old field where pine trees were planted many years ago. Some of the trees need to be taken down so that the remaining trees can have more light, water, and minerals. In other words, remove the competition and the trees left will grow better and faster.
Logger’s View
This is not a big money-maker, mostly pulpwood to cut, but at least it’s flat, relatively dry ground, without many rocks. Should be easy going for most any logging equipment.
Forester’s View
This 60+ year old white pine plantation is overstocked, well above the B-line, 100% crown closure, no understory or mid-story, and growth well below potential. It should be thinned to optimum stocking of higher quality future crop trees, to increase future value of the stand.
Equipment Used
Tracked feller buncher, in-woods cut-to-length processor, and forwarders.
Woodland Owners’ View
The remaining trees are big enough in width and close enough to each other to help with wind problems. While there’s more sun coming through the crowns now, over time, the branches will take over the open space. Another thinning might be needed in the future.
Logger's View
The weather held and so did the market, so this cut went okay. Wound up cutting it in winter, because the access road needed to be frozen for heavy trucks to use.
Forester’s View
Basal area is now optimum. Recommend checking periodically over the next 10-15 years for full crown closure, at which time another thinning may be appropriate.
Wildlife Outcome
Because some branches and medium woody material remain on the forest floor, salamanders and small mammals will have nice new homes. The overstory canopy is still mostly closed which provides forest habitat for many species.
Location:
Yankee Woodlot, Skowhegan
Somerset County Soil & Water District
Joe Dembeck, Executive Director
207-474-8323; info@somersetswcd.org
