Does Juvenile Stand Management Matter? Regional Scenarios of the Long-Term Effects on Wood Production

We analysed the regional level effects of juvenile stand management (early cleaning and precommercial thinning), shortly termed tending on wood production profitability forest management. Altogether ca. 0.4 million hectares stands from two significant forestry regions Finland, South North Savo, were examined. used plot-level data 11th National Forest Inventory to represent current status in study area, Motti simulator predict future developments those for next 100 years. applied three scenarios: (i) Timely tending, (ii) delayed (iii) no examine differences between these alternative levels The results showed benefits at a level. was most profitable option when low or modest interest rates (2–3%) assessment. Even short delay clearly increased costs. Delaying neglecting resulted losses, especially sawlog removals stumpage earnings. financial gain highest fertile sites. Due high growth rate trees, situation may change very quickly such For operational forestry, this means that sites should have priority conducting timely tendings.