Thinning to meet sawlog objectives at shorter rotation in lodgepole pine stands

We modelled how pre-commercial and commercial thinning affects development of merchantable timber, specifically large sawlogs (>20 cm diameter), on various site qualities at different harvest ages. Data from juvenile permanent sample plots post-harvest regenerated lodgepole pine stands in Alberta were projected using the Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM 21). Pre-commercial (PCT) levels (CT) with PCT assessed good, medium, fair quality. Results show quality alone had greatest impact yields good sites producing ?1.5 times yield medium ?4.3 that sites. Moderate produced a greater quantity diameter) their associated volume over unthinned than or sites, though positively influenced total these as well. On age 50, CT treatments about ?50 m 3 /ha more cm) control; such gain drops to 18 In addition, mean annual increment culminated earlier also enabling harvest.