Lodgepole Pine and White Spruce Thinning in Alberta―A Review of North American and European Best Practices

Mark Baah-Acheamfour (), Amanda Schoonmaker, Mark Dewey and Brian Roth
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Mark Baah-Acheamfour: Centre for Boreal Research, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Peace River, AB T8S 1R2, Canada
Amanda Schoonmaker: Centre for Boreal Research, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Peace River, AB T8S 1R2, Canada
Mark Dewey: School of Applied Sciences and Technology, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, AB T5G 2R1, Canada
Brian Roth: Forest Growth Organization of Western Canada, fRI Research, Hinton, AB T7V 1V3, Canada

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-24

Abstract: A significant portion of the harvested land base in western Canada is becoming old enough or entering a phase where thinning is a legitimate forest management option. A comprehensive review of the existing knowledge of commercial thinning (CT) treatments applied to pine and spruce-dominated stands in Alberta was conducted, with particular regard to the intensity, timing of interventions, method, and impacts on crop tree growth responses. Although the geographical focus of this review is Alberta, information on this topic is more complete in other areas of North America and Europe, where there is a long history of density management. In areas of eastern North America, our review revealed that CT from below, with tree removal levels from 27 to 43% of the basal area, could increase total merchantable wood produced from 11 to 60 m 3 ha −1 over a rotation, depending on stand age and intensity of thinning. For Alberta conditions, and considering the risks, we conclude that commercial thinning basal area removal should be in the range of 25 to 40%, depending on a variety of factors such as species, wind firmness, and insect or disease incidence and risk. Thinning too aggressively and/or too late will increase the blowdown risk but the literature is fairly consistent in suggesting that live crown ratios should be >40% to maximize the chance of growth response and minimize the blowdown risk. In cases where stands are also threatened by stressors such as drought, wind, and insect or disease outbreaks, CT treatments likely offer the potential at limiting the overall risk, but localized knowledge and experience are critical. It is intended that the information presented may support ongoing and future research trials and growth and yield (G&Y) model development about potential CT treatments to apply and the likely results of practical application to commercial forestry.

Keywords: basal area; commercial thinning; crown ratio; density management; pine; spruce (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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