Silviculture refers to the process by which forests are sustainably managed and controlled. If you own woodlands, then it might be helpful for you to know more about how to safely and responsibly employ some of these practices. For the benefit of your landscape, the forest management experts at Neeley Forestry Service in Camden, AR, explains a few different types of silviculture.

4 Types of Silviculture

1. Cutting

From time to time, you will likely find it necessary to cut off the branches of larger, older trees, so they don’t overwhelm new growth. In some cases, you might even need to cut down entire trees if they risk the lives of neighboring saplings. You should also remove any trees from your forest that are dead, diseased, or infested by insects to ensure they don’t infect nearby foliage.

2. Thinning

There are several thinning techniques you might use for your timberland. Low thinning involves the removal of small and overtopped trees. With crown thinning, you’ll remove trees to open the canopy, increasing sunlight and promoting new growth. Selection thinning, on the other hand, is ideal for removing dominant trees in favor of burgeoning timber.

3. Harvesting

Once your timber is mature, it’s time to start harvesting it to encourage new growth. Again, there are quite a few ways of doing this. Clear-cutting, for instance, means you will remove all of the trees from a specific area and artificially restore it afterward. Seed tree cutting, however, involves the cutting of most trees in an area while leaving a handful for reproduction purposes.

4. Cleaning

When you’re ready to clean your timberland to make way for new growth, there are several techniques you might use. Prescribed burning allows you to use controlled fires to safely clear the area. You might also choose to apply chemicals and herbicides to the bases of the trees for which you no longer have any use.

When you need responsible and reliable forest management to help with your silvicultural process, rely on the team at Neeley Forestry Service. Since 1972, they’ve helped Ouachita County residents with tree planting, fertilization, prescribed burning, and mechanical and chemical site preparation. Call (870) 836-5981 today to speak with a representative about harvest design or timber appraisals, or visit their website to learn more about their forest management services.