Effect of Thinning on the Production of High-quality Wood in a Quebec Northern Hardwood Stand

Abstract

In 1963, two intensities of thinning were carried out in a 60-year-old northern hardwood stand of fire origin. Yellow birch (Betulaalleghaniensis Britt.) made up as much as 40% of the total number of trees 9 cm d.b.h. and up. By 1973, both sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) and yellow birch had responded to thinning, the former more than the latter. The percentages of yellow birch trees had not changed regardless of treatment. There were between 120 and 129 trees/ha of the 25–39 cm diameter class in the unthinned as well as in the thinned areas. Basal area of the trees 9 cm d.b.h. and up had increased by 5.4, 7.6, and 8.1 m2/ha in the unthinned, 20% thinned, and 40% thinned area, respectively. A decrease in stem quality was not observed, even at the 40% thinning intensity. Both thinning intensities were thus successful except that they somewhat favored sugar maple at the expense of yellow birch.