Planning

A good inventory should provide a reasonable estimate of total merchantable volume. This information is essential to arrive at an acceptable annual harvest. An acceptable annual harvest, is a level of harvest that meets the critical needs of the forest, and reflects the financial and personal objectives of the owner. Some stands that may be in eminent danger of being lost to insects, disease, and old age. These stands may need to be cut sooner than the owner would like. Just think of a farmer at haying time. The hay stands, or fields, that are in the most advanced stage of growth are usually cut first. In the case of a forest stand, the time frame is quite a bit longer. Instead of a few days, you have at least a few months but usually 1 to 5 years depending on the stage of mortality or severity of attack by outside forces (e.g., insects, fire, wind) to harvest older stands.

A plan is not complete without a schedule of treatments commonly called a silvicultural plan. The treatments schedule should ensure that stands in the highest danger of being lost will be treated first. This loss may be very apparent, such as a severe insect attack on overmature softwoods. Other times it is not so evident, for example, when you have loss of productivity brought about by severe over crowding of a juvenile stand.

Proceed to Stand Establishment

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