Harvesting
Harvesting is the most visible and influential forest management activity.It provides supplies of timber to businesses for production of wood based products while also influencing the ability of the future forest to regenerate and thrive. Harvesting systems can be categorized into two general areas: Even-aged methods such as clearcutting, shelterwood and commercial thinning and uneven-aged management systems such as individual-tree and group selection methods. Even-aged methods have been the predominant system in the wind dominated Acadian Forest of Nova Scotia but it has been recognized that uneven-aged management deserves a larger role. The Timber Management Group has focused its attention on developing tools and methods to apply uneven aged systems in Nova Scotia. Several trials have been undertaken on various hardwood and softwood forest to demonstrate effective uneven-aged methods View map. They also provide information to aid in the development of management guides and tools. These tools are used to prescribe the site and stand conditions suitable for implementing uneven-aged systems. Even-aged methods are also addressed for those situations where it is appropriate. Attention to Commercial Thinning in Softwoods has been the focus for even-aged harvesting work.
Uneven-Aged Management
Tolerant Softwood/Mixedwood Management Guide (Including Selection Management)
- This guide prescribes silviculture based on stand and site conditions. It references the province's Forest Ecosystem Classification. The Softwood/Mixedwood guide is now available.
Tolerant Hardwood Selection Management Guide
Selection Management Trials for Softwoods and Hardwood:
- Big Indian Lake Red Spruce Selection Trial. For a copy of this report, please submit your request via e-mail.
- View a map of Selection Management trials.
Even-Aged Management
Softwood Commercial Thinning Trial/Surveys
- Growth and Yield Map
- Commercial Thinning Operation Surveys - for results of survey download the report