Tree Selection

When visiting with our members on their woodlots a common question we get is regarding tree selection- which trees they should cut and which trees they should retain, during forest improvement activities.

There are many reasons why you may want to select a tree to retain during harvest, and this is tied closely to your personal woodlot goals and objectives. This requires landowners to plan ahead and visualize what they would like their forests to look in the future. Although this greatly depends on the current state of the forest, there are a few fundamental reasons why you may want to retain a tree, including crop tree potential, biodiversity, wildlife habitat and even aesthetics.

When choosing trees for their crop tree potential (trees that will develop into high-value forest products and/or provide a seed source for future regeneration) it's important to assess the tree's current condition, as well as the silvics (growth requirements) of the particular tree species. It's helpful to ask yourself "will this tree's growth improve or decline in the next 15 years?" and the answer to this question depends on a variety of factors.

Another important characteristic to help decide crop tree potential is the tree's current health, vigour, and the potential risk of decline if the tree was left. Take notice if the tree has any obvious defects like scars, cracks, seams, or fungus growing on the trunk. Assess the tree's crown (foliage) for signs of dieback; a large crown with dense foliage provides a greater leaf area for food production and indicates more vigorous growth.

Aside from individual tree characteristics, the maintenance of biodiversity and wildlife habitat is also an important factor to consider regarding tree selection. Incorporating these values into forest management can increase the resilience of your forest in the face of different natural disturbance agents and provide food and shelter for a variety of species. For example, if you only have one or two red oak trees in a spruce dominated forest, retaining oak helps to encourage species diversity while also providing a source of food for wildlife through the mast (acorns) they produce. Perhaps you come across an oversized tree with many cavities and defects- although this tree doesn’t have much commercial value, you may choose to leave it for it's current and future benefit for wildlife habitat and biodiversity, such as a perch or nest for birds.

What features do you look to retain in your woodlot?

Contact WWSC today if you are interested in learning more about tree selection, and/or are thinking about pursuing selection harvesting on your woodlot in Western Nova Scotia.