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Forest Harvesting Methods. Clear Cutting. This is the method most used ALL the trees in a certain area are cut down The stumps and underbrush that is left behind is burned. Trees Most Often Clear Cut. Pine Douglas fir. Advantages of Clear Cutting. Cheap
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Clear Cutting • This is the method most used • ALL the trees in a certain area are cut down • The stumps and underbrush that is left behind is burned
Trees Most Often Clear Cut • Pine • Douglas fir
Advantages of Clear Cutting • Cheap • Efficient (easiest, fastest method)
Disadvantages of Clear Cutting • Has to be replanted by hand (takes time and is expensive) • If left unplanted, the soil will erode
Selective Cutting • Also called “Highgrading” • Small areas of big trees are cleared to leave space for smaller trees to grow
Trees Most Often Selectively Cut • Cedar • Hemlock
Advantage of Selective Cutting • Smaller trees will have a chance to grow much larger
Disadvantages of Selective Cutting • Takes a lot of time • Other trees get in the way and make the job harder • More expensive
Seed Tree Cutting • Cutting down almost all the trees in an area, but leaving a few • The few trees provide seeds to repopulate the area
Patch Logging • Trees are cut down in a checkerboard pattern. • The parts that are cut down are clear cut
Trees Most Often Patch Logged • Douglas fir
Advantages of Patch Logging • Because so many trees are left behind, the forest reseeds itself naturally • It is cheaper than selective cutting
Disadvantages of Patch Logging • New roads have to be built to get to each section of the “checkerboard” • This is expensive and takes a lot of time • After the logging is finished, the roads are no longer used, but they are cut right through the forest (ugly)
Shelterwood Cutting • All the trees in a row are cut down • All the other trees are left • This is only used for trees that need shade to grow
Strip Logging • A cutter uses a chainsaw to cut strips of trees in alternating rows • Allows the cutter to choose to only cut the trees he wants, or to cut the whole strip • The strips should be cut perpendicular to the wind to prevent erosion
Types of Trees Most Often Strip Logged • Usually done in Boreal and Mixed Forests
Advantages of Strip Logging • The forest naturally reseeds itself • It is cheaper and easier than patch logging • Not as many roads need to be built
Disadvantages of Strip Logging • Really bad erosion can happen in the strips that are cut down