Residual Stand Damage under Different Harvesting Methods and Mitigation Strategies

A major component of sustainable forest management are the stands left behind after logging operation. Large mechanized harvesting equipment involved in current can inflict damage on residual trees; and pose a risk mortality from diseases, natural calamities, and/or degrade future economic value. The primary objective this study was to evaluate stand under different methods silvicultural prescriptions i.e., crop tree release (CTR), diameter limit cut (DLC), overstory removal (OSR). second intensity frequency occurring bole, canopy, root at level. third document strategies adopted globally minimize due timber harvesting. Five harvest blocks implementing three prescriptions, were selected as treatments across two industrial timberlands central northern Maine (Study Site (SS) I II, respectively). hybrid cut-to-length (Hyb CTL) whole-tree (WT) method employed for conducting SS respectively. Systematic transect sampling collect information type, frequency, damages. inventory captured 41 8 damaged trees per hectare with 62 22 damages II Bole most frequent all treatments. Hyb CTL had lower density (damage ha) severity compared WT. average number ha higher CTR DLC. There no significant differences height ground level between within each site; however, there difference sites. Species directly related dominated by American beech, yellow birch, sugar maple, eastern hemlock. Finally, provides that be managerial phases mitigate damage.