Thinning Southern Pines: Methods, Operations, and Decision Making

Day 1

8:00-8:30 am Registration

8:30-8:45 Introduction

8:45-9:45 Silvicultural Basis and Application of Thinning

Stand Development Relevant to Density Management

Thinning Response of Individual Trees and Stands

Timing and Intensity of Thinning – Biological Optimum

9:45-10:15 Break

10:15-11:15 Silvicultural Basis and Application of Thinning(continued)

Timing and Intensity of Thinning – Biological Optimum

11:15-12:00 Thinning as a Financial as well as Biological Decision

BLV and ROI

Relative Prices of Solid Wood Products to Pulpwood

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch

1:00- 2:00 Thinning as a Financial as well as Biological Decision(continued)

2:00-2:30 Applying Thinning Prescriptions on the Ground- Tree Selection and Marking

Residual Stand Densities

Selective, Row, and Combination Thinning

Who Picks Trees to Remove?

2:30-3:00 Break

3:00-5:00 Overview of Harvesting Systems for Thinning

Available Equipment

Silvicultural Impacts

Environmental Concerns

Tree Length Thinning Systems

In-Woods Chipping System

Cut to Length (CTL) Thinning Systems

Comparison of Systems

Future Trends for Thinning Operations

5:00 pm Adjourn

5:00-6:00 Professional Ethics for Foresters (Optional)

Day 2

8:00 am Questions/Review from Day 1

8:15 Thinning: Making Rational Decisions

Age of Thinning: Effects on Financial Returns from

1. Changes in Site and Management Intensity

2. Changes in Product Prices and Markets

3. Pre-Commercial Thinning

4. A Delay in Thinning (to get a better stumpage price)

Thinning Intensity: Effects on Financial Returns from

5. Changes in Site and Management Intensity

1. Changes in Product Prices and Markets

No Thin vs Single Thin vs Multiple Thinnings

9:45-10:15

10:15-12:00 Strategies for Handling Wood Quality Concerns

Juvenility, Grade, and Strength

Effect of Site and Management Intensity

Effect of Geography

Pruning (Biological and Financial Impacts)

Combining Thinning and Other Management Treatments

Fertilization

Release

Fertilization and Release

Summary

12:00 noon Adjourn