ASSOCIATION FOR SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

  SILVICULTURE CRITERIA                                Feb 2001

               PRE-COMMERCIAL THINNING, NATURAL

To be eligible for funding, the stand must conform to the following criteria prior to treatment:

1. Average height of crop trees     2m-6m for softwood, 6m-9m for hardwood.

2. Density                                        >3000 stems/ha.

3. Stocking of crop trees                >80 % at 2.4 x 2.4m spacing.

4. Site                                               LC 4 or better; normal to well-drained.

5. Crop tree species                       RS, BS, WS, BF, EH, Tolerant Hardwoods.

To be eligible for funding, the treated area must conform to the following criteria:

1. Average height of crop trees     2m-6m for softwood, 6m-9m for hardwood.

2. Density                                        1500-3000 stems/ha

3. Stocking of crop trees                >80 % at 2.4 x 2.4m spacing.

4. Crop tree species                       RS, BS, WS, BF, EH, Tolerant Hardwoods.

Other species may be left but must constitute <10 % of the post-treatment composition.

5. Quality                                          Trees that are less than 1/3 the height of the average height of the crop trees may be left;

Crop trees must not be pruned;

Scattered live overstory trees may be left at <10 trees/ha; clumps of  trees are preferable

Crop trees must be healthy and free of insect and disease damage.