Regeneration Harvest Methods

Silviculturists generally classify silvicultural systems into two broad groups: "high-forest" methods that rely on reproduction from seed and "low-forest" or coppice methods that rely on sprout reproduction (Smith 1986). Within high-forest methods, there are three subdivisions:

• Even-aged systems use regeneration harvests to create even-aged stands. By convention, the spread of ages in an even-aged stand does not differ by more than 20 percent of the intended rotation. Even-age methods include the clearcuttting, shelterwood, and seed-tree methods.
• Uneven-aged systems use regeneration harvests to create uneven-aged stands. Commonly, at least three distinct age classes are required for an uneven-aged stand. Uneven-age methods include single-tree selection and group selection.
• Two-aged systems provide for regeneration of shade-intolerant species while carrying a sparse overstory of mature trees to offset the negative aesthetic impact of clearcutting.

Either natural or artificial means can be used before or after regeneration harvests to establish new age classes. These concepts are discussed in the following section.

• Natural vs. Artificial Regeneration Methods