Clearcutting is also a silvicultural method. This much-embattled method is truly a viable silvicultural practice. It is most often prescribed where sun-loving species are desired for the future timber stand. It is also prescribed in poor-quality or problem stands which have been abused by fires or repeated high-grading. In pine management, a clearcut normally is followed immediately by planting seedlings. However, where quality hardwoods grow, natural regeneration supplies more than enough seedlings from existing seed, existing seedlings (also called advance regeneration), root sprouts, and stump sprouts. Thankfully, natural regeneration of hardwoods is one of nature's strongest and most inevitable forces in our region. Where desirable hardwoods can be grown, natural regeneration is the proper plan; attempting to plant or artificially regenerate in such an area is neither necessary, wanted, nor advisable.
The desired effect of a clearcut is to start all regeneration at ground level so that the resulting timber crop is made up of desirable sun-loving species, which are the fastest growing, straightest, healthiest, and most superior trees possible. A 20- to 60-year-old clearcut is a textbook case of survival of the fittest. Because full sunlight is provided for future crop trees, rate of growth is at its greatest. Clearcut areas show 1.5 to 2.0 times the growth rates per acre than in selectively cut areas.
Clearcutting is not "cutting everything we want." A clearcut should truly be a clear cut. Clearcutting is cutting everything. The objective is to provide full sunlight - not partial sunlight, with a heavy dose of shade from runt, cull, and unwanted trees. Additionally, a truly clearcut area looks uniform - immediately after the cut and after regeneration has begun. This uniformity is much more pleasing to the eye, in my opinion, than the "hairy" look of a pseudo-clearcut or a heavily high-graded stand.
Clearcuts also require professional management. Streamside buffer zones should not be clearcut to protect the temperature characteristics of that stream. Likewise, our company will similarly buffer areas bordering towns or roads.
Obviously, clearcutting makes a lot of news. The method will arouse a tremendous amount of emotion and opinion. I have attempted to provide a few facts about clearcutting. In another article, I will attempt to address the controversy surrounding the subject. The practice is a viable silvicultural method when applied and managed correctly. It is one of many silvicultural methods available to foresters and landowners.
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