Second Harvest/Thinning

The second thinning is generally scheduled 15 years after the first one depending on site conditions, the success of regeneration, and how the remaining trees are responding to the harvest operation.

The harvests that follow the initial thinning are called “selection thinnings” rather than a “row removal”. Selected trees are removed based on their quality, form, and spacing around other trees. This increases the availability of light, water, nutrients, and space for the remaining trees to fill out the forest canopy.

Many trees will be regenerating at this stage, which differ from the species planted during the establishment of the plantation.