What is a Silvicultural system? A silvicultural system is the process of

tending, harvesting and regenerating a forest.

Different objectives in forest management (e.g. conservation in an ancient semi-natural woodland vs. production of timber from a conifer plantation) are likely to lead to the adoption of different silvicultural systems.

SYSTEMS

Generally divide into 2 main groups

HIGH FOREST SYSTEMS

COPPPICE SYSTEMS

CLASSIFYING SYSTEMS

• There are many different types of silvicultural systems

• A broad classification can be made based on the pattern of regeneration and how the tree canopy is removed.

Generally forests managed using clear felling and shelterwood systems tend to be even-aged (only possess one or two canopy strata) and those managed using selection systems are uneven-aged (have three or more canopy strata).

Silvicultural systems

Uniform opening of the canopy for regeneration purposes

Opening up of groups of advance regeneration – comparitively short regen period

Opening up of crop in narrow coupes

‘Rolling system’

Complete removal of trees and artificial regeneration.

Clearfelling

Uniform shelterwood system

Strip shelterwood

COPPICE SYSTEMS

Coppice Coppice with standards

HIGH FOREST SYSTEMS

CLEAR CUT SYSTEMS - old crop felled in single felling Usually artificial regeneration

Crop felled in 2 or more regeneration fellingsSHELTERWOOD SYSTEMSSELECTION SYSTEMS

CLEAR CUT

Shelterwood systems

Uniform shelterwood system

Shelterwood systems

Uniform Group Irregular Strip