Why is Timber Harvesting Important?


Harvesting is an integral part of forest management for any size stand. A properly designed intentional harvest creates wildlife habitat and will increase long-term timber value. Forest health problems and increase growth rates can be addressed by an active forest management. Landowners can improve stand quality and reallocate stand growth by using appropriate methods like thinnings and clearing cutting. Studies that have been conducted show the difference between a well-managed stands with properly scheduled harvests and a similar unmanaged stands show the managed stands are significantly higher in value.

Benefits of Thinnings:

  • Increases the growth rate of trees.
  • Improve the health of trees by removing dying/dead and/or diseased trees
  • Leads to increased levels of nutrients.
  • Beneficial impacts on levels of biogrowth.
  • Increases timbered value which increase property value.
  • Improves wildlife habitat.

Benefits of Harvest Cutting:

  • High yields per unit of area potentially lower the harvesting costs.
  • Facilitates site preparation for tree replanting.
  • Removal of dying/dead and/or diseased trees

Proper forest management is essential to assure an adequate supply of wood in the future.


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