The River from a Bluff  Pioneer Forest  
 
 

MANAGEMENT ON PIONEER FOREST

Shown below are three illustrations which depict the system of management used on Pioneer Forest.  For a written description of our method of uneven-aged forest management known as single-tree selection harvest see "Single-Tree Selection Harvest Primer".

Uncut forest depiction

Characteristics of the Forested Landscape on Pioneer Forest
Per acre the forest averages 32.1 trees greater than 11 inches in diameter. Of these, there are:

  • 18.8 trees measuring 9-12 inches (understory trees)
  • 11.0 trees measuring 13-16 inches (mostly overstory trees)
  • 2.3 trees measuring 18-22+ inches (overstory).

 

Uncut forest with arrows

Harvests on Pioneer Forest remove an average of 12-15 trees per acre.
Harvest decisions on which trees to cut or leave are based on:

  • Vigor
  • Spacing
  • Species
  • Poor Form
  • Wind Damage
  • Disease
  • Position
  • Age
  • Insects

 

Cut forest depiction

CharacteristicForested Landscape following a harvest using Single-Tree Selection Techniques

  • Commercial production provides income
  • Canopy gaps are created in the forest canopy.
  • Light penetrates to the forest floor
  • Fully-functioning forest remains on the landscape
  • Harvest cycle is sustainable