Proper forest management can produce “old growth” trees more quickly

Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2015 14:54:30 -0400
From: “Dunlap PC & Mac Computer Services”
Subject: healthier trees

A few years ago I invited the NC Forest Service to come out to give me some ideas on how best to manage some forested land I owned at the time. They said they were both shocked and delighted because they rarely get requests regarding management to produce healthier stands, they’re usually called to give advice on how to get the most money from selling trees. They took core samples, noting that some of the smaller trees were actually older than the larger trees, indicating that they were too crowded, and depending on the density, species and ages of any stand, sometimes taking out the larger trees instead of the smaller ones would eventually lead to larger, healthier trees. Thus proper management can produce ³old growth² more quickly than if the trees are left to compete on their own. The visit took a while to schedule but was free, fun, and informative.