Long-term Growth & Yield Results from a Wisconsin Northern Hardwoods Study

The Cutting Methods Study is a long-term experiment of silviculture for second-growth northern hardwood stands located on the Argonne Experimental Forest in northern Wisconsin. Dr. Christel Kern of the USDA Forest Service will highlight 60+ year results. The study continues to provide new insights for managing forests.

[@garyglonek]

One of the biggest mistakes still made in forestry is to grow trees too big for too long. Economic maturity of Northern Hardwoods is closer to 20 inches rather than 24 and it is a mistake to wait until a tree starts to fall apart before it is marked. Residual basal areas of 75 to 80 are better for encouraging size class recruitment while retaining quality. Trends towards clearcutting hardwoods are misguided and only applicable with no potential for trees to grow into a higher value class e.g. pulp to sawlogs. It is better to leave poor quality trees in lower diameter classes than to reduce residual basal areas below 75.