Department of 

Agriculture 

Forest Service 

Northeastern Forest 

I Experiment Station 

Research Paper NE-673 

I 

Financial Aspects of Partial 

Cutting Practices in 

Central Appalachian Hardwoods 

Gary W. Miller 
Abstract 

Uneven-aged silvicultural practices can be used to regenerate and manage many 

eastern hardwood stands. Single-tree selection methods are feasible in stands 

where a desirable shade-tolerant commercial species can be regenerated following 

periodic harvests. A variety of partial cutting practices, including single-tree 

selection and diameter-limit cutting have been used for 30 years or more to manage 

central Appalachian hardwoods on the Fernow Experimental Forest near Parsons, 

West Virginia. Results from research of these practices are presented to help forest 

managers evaluate financial aspects of partial cutting practices. Observed volume 

growth, product yields, changes in species composition, and changes in residual 

stand quality are used to evaluate potential financial returns. Also, practical 

economic considerations are discussed for applying partial cutting methods. 

The Author 

GARY W. MILLER is a research forester with the Northeastern Forest Experiment 

Station project on managing resources in central Appalachian hardwood forests. He 

is located at the Timber and Watershed Laboratory in Parsons, West Virginia. 

Cover Photo: A central Appalachianhardwood stand on site index 80 for northern 

red oak after four 10-year, periodic, single-tree selection regeneration cuts. 

Manuscript received for publication 15 March 1993 

Northeastern Forest Experiment Station 

5 Radnor Corporate Center 

100 Matsonford Road, Suite 200 

P.O. Box 6775 

Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087-4585 

June 1993 
Introduction 

Interest in applying uneven-aged silvicultural practices in 

eastern hardwood stands has grown in recent years, mostly 

in response to public opposition to the esthetic effects of 

clearcutting. Critics of clearcutting suggest that applying 

single-tree selection or related management practices, 

which involve periodic partial cutting operations, might 

provide a suitable compromise: continued utilization of 

timber resources without complete removal of the overstory 

trees. It is important to remember that partial cutting 

methods influence key economic factors: stand growth, 

volume yields, tree quality, species composition, and 

returns on residual stand value. This paper provides 

information on these factors derived from central 

Appalachian hardwood stands that have been managed 

using either single-tree selection or diameter-limit cutting 

over a 30- to 40-year period. 

In many cases, the decision to practice uneven-aged 

silviculture in a particular stand is based on nonmarket 

management objectives such as esthetics or wildlife. 

Management goals may require a more-or-less continuous 

cover of overstory canopy trees to satisfy other goals, but 

economic objectives still apply. Given that single-tree 

selection is the desired siivicultural method, why not apply 

this practice so that it is economically efficient? This paper 

also provides guidelines for evaluating financial returns from 

several variations of single-tree selection. 

Finally, information is provided on other aspects of partial 

cutting practices that may be helpful in understanding the 

impacts of periodic cuts on financial returns. Economic 

considerations such as logging damage, management of 

nonmerchantable trees, and improvement of diameter-limit 

cutting are all discussed. 

Data were obtained from stands located on the Fernow 

Experimental Forest near Parsons, West Virginia. The study 

areal receives approximately 55 inches of precipitation each 

year, distributed evenly throughout the year. Stands are 

located on sites ranging in site index from 60 to 80 feet for 

northern red oak (base age 50 years). Some old residuals 

from the early logging in 1905 and some stems resulting 

from regeneration following death of the American chestnut 

in the 1930's were present when the first partial cuts were 

made. As a result, the stands under study contained three 

age classes when management began in the early 19501s, 

although most trees were 45 years old at that time. 

Merchantable stand data were obtained from 100 percent 

inventories taken every 5 years and before each periodic 

cut, while data on reproduction were obtained from fixedarea sample plots. Seedling reproduction consisted of 

woody species 1.0 foot tall to 0.99 inches diameter breast 

height (d.b.h.), tallied on randomly located 111000-acre 

plots. Sapling reproduction consisted of wood species 

1.0 to 4.9 inches d.b.h., tallied on 11100-acre plots. 

Poletimber consisted of commercial species 5.0 to 10.9 

inches d.b.h., and sawtimber consisted of commercial 

species 11.0 inches d.b.h. and larger. Sawtimber quality 

was estimated using U.S. Forest Service log grades on a 

random sample of trees measured during periodic 

inventories (Rast et al. 1973). Stumpage values were 

estimated using Tree Value Conversion Standards (DeBald 

and Dale 1991). 

Review of Single-Tree Selection 

Thinnings, improvement cuts, diameter-limit cutting, and 

even "high-grading" have been confused with selection 

practices. While all of these practices are a form of partial 

cutting that may lead to establishment of regeneration, they 

are not true single-tree selection. In true selection practices, 

the objective is to maintain a given number of residual trees 

per acre throughout a range of d.b.h. classes over time. In 

other practices, the harvested material usually is from larger 

sawtimber-sized diameter classes and residual number of 

tree goals are not used to ensure sustained yield. 

In order Ao evaluate financial benefits of uneven-aged 

management, it is important to review selection procedures 

and identify factors used to control periodic harvests. Based 

on stand characteristics and management objectives, a 

residual stand goal is established in terms of residual basal 

area (RBA), largest diameter residual tree (LDT), and q-value, 

which defines how residual trees are distributed among 

diameter classes (Smith and Lamson 1982). Once a goal is 

established, trees are harvested from diameter classes in 

which there are excess trees, that is, more than enough to 

meet residual stand goals (Fig. 1). Financial returns are 

affected by frequency of periodic cuts and the volumes 

removed, so it is important that the forest manager define 

residual stand goals that are economical and in harmony 

with landowner objectives. 

Goal stand 

Actual stand 

Surplus 

1 

Figure 1 .-An example of a residual-stand structure goal 

compared to actual stand structure from cruise data. 

I-C 

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 

D.E.H. (INCHES) 
Periodic Product Yields and Income 

From a practical financial point of view, uneven-aged stand 

management practices are periodic sales of merchantable 

products. In order to provide for a sustained yield of 

products and sale income, periodic cuts should remove no 

more than periodic stand growth. Removing too much 

volume at any periodic cut might delay or reduce harvests 

in the future. For example, in central Appalachian hardwood 

sawtimber stands, average annual volume growth 

(International 114-inch rule) can be estimated by northern 

red oak site index as follows: 

200 bd Wacre 

300 bd Wacre 

400 bd ftlacre 

This means that on site index 70, selection cuts feasibly 

could remove approximately 3,000 board feet per acre every 

10 years, or 4,500 board feet every 15 years, or 6,000 board 

feet every 20 years. Actual stand growth will vary, but these 

guidelines are useful for planning initial harvests in 

previously uncut stands. 

The cutting cycle (number of years between partial cuts) 

depends on site productivity, average merchantable volume 

growth per acre, and minimum sale requirements in local 

markets. For roaded areas in the Appalachians, harvests 

averaging a minimum of 2,500 board feet per acre usually 

are acceptable. So, in most managed stands, the minimum 

cutting cycle is 10 to 15 years, depending on site index. 

Longer cutting cycles may be used if needed, particularly 

on large forests where labor resources are limited. 

Observed periodic yields. Single-tree selection has been 

applied in central Appalachian hardwood stands since the 

early 1950's on the Fernow Experimental Forest. Selection 

stands on site index 70 have been cut four times on a 

10-year cutting cycle using the following residual stand 

goals: 

RBA = 65. ft2 (5.0 inches d.b.h. and larger) 

LDT = 26 inches d.b.h. 

q-value = 1.3 

Figure 2 illustrates the relationships among initial, cut, and 

residual stand volume for the first four periodic cuts in a 

previously unmanaged Appalachian hardwood stand. The 

first periodic cut in this stand resulted in relatively heavy 

volume removals per acre to condition the stand and 

remove many large old residual trees left following the 

original logging of the early 1900's. Later harvests removed 

roughly one-third of the merchantable volume. Note that 

residual stand and harvest volumes have been increasing 

since management began in 1955. 

The most recent cut. Recall that selection harvests should 

remove volumes equal to periodic growth. In one stand on 

the Fernow, a recent harvest in 1990 removed 3,700 board 

feet per acre. The harvest removed an average of 17 trees 

per acre that averaged 16.7 inches d.b.h. Over 50 percent 

of the cut volume and value was from northern red oak and 

other medium shade-tolerant species (Table 1). Only 7 

percent of the stumpage revenue cut was from more shadetolerant species such as red maple and sugar maple. 

Stumpage income was nearly $500 per acre. However, it is 

unreasonable to assume that this stand will provide such a 

level of income for all future cutting cycles. 

I a Initial Cut Reeidual 

YEAR 

Figure 2.-Volume per acre for four selection harvests in Appalachian hardwoods. 
Table 1 .-Species composition of 4th selection cut on 

site index 70 - 

Species Bd Wacre $/acre 

Black cherry 

Other intolerants 

Red oak 

Intermediates 

Sugar maple 

Red maple 

Other tolerants 

Total 

As future cuts removevaluable shade-intolerant and 

medium shade-tolerant species from the sawtimber-size 

classes, less valuable shade-tolerant species will replace 

them. Thus, to evaluate single-tree selection over long 

planning horizons, the value of future harvests must be 

estimated based on future species composition and growth 

rates. Trees present in the initial unmanaged stand have 

influenced cut volumes and value for many years since the 

effects of continued uneven-aged management are just 

beginning to show. 

Selection Favors Regeneration of 

S hade-Tolerant Species 

In previously unmanaged stands, there may be a diversity of 

commercial sawtimber species present when the first 

selection cuts are applied. An important impact of repeated 

partial cuts using a single-tree method is that shade-tolerant 

species eventually will dominate future stands. Light 

conditions created by removing a few scattered trees every 

10 to 20 years are not conducive to development of 

intolerant species such as black cherry and yellow-poplar. 

Intolerant seedlings may germinate and grow for a few 

years, but as the canopy closes between periodic cuts, they 

simply die due to insufficient light. Shade-tolerant species, 

such as sugar maple and red maple, however, survive and 

slowly grow in the understory between cuts and then 

replace overstory trees removed in future cuts. 

The first few selection cuts in a previously unmanaged 

stand are used to improve stand quality by removing poor 

quality and high-risk trees, as well as cut excess desirable 

trees to achieve residual stand goals. Once poor trees are 

removed, the next few selection cuts are composed of 

sawtimber-sized trees that were part of the stand when 

management began, plus poletimber from the initial stand 

stimulated to grow into merchantable size classes. 

Selection stands on the Fernow Experimental Forest 

indicated that as many as 6 to 8 cuts (approximately 80 

years) may be needed before species composition of the 

harvest becomes predominantly shadetolerant species. 

Changes in future species composition are much more 

apparent in the seedling- and sapling-size classes. Figure 3 

illustrates a slow but steady change in species composition 

for second-growth Appalachian hardwoods managed using 

a single-tree selection practice. Small reproduction 

predominantly was sugar maple, but some intolerant black 

cherry and medium-tolerant species were present (Fig. 3, 

upper graph). Note that an adequate number of seedlings 

needed for sustained yield were established following each 

periodic cut. 

Intolerant and medium shade-tolerant seedlings did not, 

however, develop into sapling-size classes. There was a 

steady decline in the number of saplings per acre, but only 

the second survey in 1970 contained a significant number of 

shade-intolerant saplings (Fig. 2, middle graph). This could 

be explained by the relatively heavy initial harvest 15 years 

earlier. Closure of the canopy was delayed, allowing ample 

light for some intolerant seedlings to survive and develop. 

Later inventories following lighter cuts showed very few 

intolerant species developing in the sapling-size class. The 

data clearly indicate that as periodic cuts continue, the 

future stand predominantly will be sugar maple on this site. 

In poletimber-size classes, intolerant and medium-tolerant 

species were present but gradually diminishing (Fig. 3, 

lower graph). in 1990, poletimber trees were found to be 

more than 40 years old, indicating they were present when 

management began in the 1950's. As poletimber trees grow 

into sawtimber, they, too, will continue to be replaced by 

sugar maple. 

Species Composition Affects 

Volume and Value 

In general, tolerant species have lower volume growth rates 

and lower product values than intolerant and mediumtolerant species even though d.b.h. growth rates are similar 

(Smith and DeBald 1975). A comparison of five important 

Appalachian hardwood species at 24 inches d.b.h. 

illustrates a wide range of volume and value per tree (Table 

2). Volume differences primarily are related to merchantable 

height on a given site index, while value differences are 

related to volume, log quality, and price of lumber products. 

Table 2.-Average volume and tree value for 24-inch 

d.b.h. Appalachian hardwood sawtimber on site index 70 

Species Bd ftltree $/tree 

Yellow-poplar 662 45 

Black cherry 573 21 1 

Red oak 527 145 

Sugar maple 541 50 

Red maple 538 40 
Seedlings 

l iSaplings 

Poles 

0 1 955 1 970 1980 

YEAR 

Figure 3.-Species composition in an Appalachian hardwood selection stand. 
In managed selection stands, less than 50 percent of 

sawtimber-sized sugar maple trees will qualify for grade 1 

butt logs, the highest sawlog grade (Table 3). By contrast, 

nearly 60 percent of yellow-poplar trees will qualify for grade 

1 butt logs once d.b.h. exceeds 22 inches (Myers et al. 

1986). Grade differences are even greater for red maple 

(Table 4), for which only approximately 25 percent of trees 

qualify for grade 1 butt logs. Thus, practicing single-tree 

selection brings about changes in species composition that, 

in turn, affects potential product quality and periodic income 

from harvests. 

Once species composition changes are complete, periodic 

income will be derived from sales of primarily sugar maple 

stumpage on good sites (site index 70) and primarily red 

maple on fair sites (site index 60). As a result, periodic 

income will be reduced drastically compared to the mix of 

species harvested in the initial cuts as the stand is being 

converted to uneven-aged management. Recall that the 

most recent harvest generated nearly $500 per acre. In the 

future, periodic income (in constant dollars) could be from 

$150 to $225 per acre, depending on site index and its 

effect on species composition and cutting cycle. This 

reduction occurs mainly because harvests will be composed 

of the less valuable tolerant species, instead of other 

species that cannot develop under shaded conditions 

maintained by single-tree selection. 

Table 3.-Butt-log grade distribution for sugar maple in 

managed selection stands 

Grade Grade Grade Below 

D.b.h. No. trees 1 2 3 Grade 

12 32 

14 29 

16 31 

18 29 

20 30 

22 37 

24 41 

26 + 99 

Total 328 

Table 4.-Buff-log grade distribution for red maple in 

managed selection stands. 

Grade Grade Grade Below 

- D.b.h. No. trees 1 2 3 Grade 

12 69 - - 67 33 

14 48 - 35 55 10 

16 52 19 29 48 4 

18 52 33 25 42 0 

20 + 80 24 26 48 2 

Total 301 

Economic Considerations 

When a desirable, commercial tolerant species can be 

regenerated at each periodic cut, single-tree selection has 

been demonstrated to be a practical management 

alternative. In central Appalachian hardwoods, partial cuts 

over the past 40 years have resulted in adequate 

regeneration to satisfy sustained yield objectives. After four 

cutting cycles, residual stand structure is about the same as 

when management began in the mid 1950's (Fig. 4). Thus, 

it is reasonable to expect that at least four more periodic 

cuts are possible in the future. With continued periodic 

establishment of desirable reproduction, partial cutting 

practices can be continued indefinitely. Economic 

considerations and suggestions for improving the efficiency 

of partial cutting practices are discussed in the following 

sections. 

Competitive returns. On the Fernow Experimental Forest, 

partial cutting practices involving diameter-limits and 

variations of single-tree selection earned competitive rates 

of return on residual stand value (Smith and Miller 1987; 

Miller and Smith 1991). Other studies have shown that 

partial-cutting practices can earn from 4 to 6 percent real 

rates of return (McCauley and Trimble 1972; Reed et al. 

1986). 

Partial cutting also allows the landowner to retain -many 

management options. Hunting and recreation opportunities 

usually remain intact under partial cutting and residual 

timber improves the esthetic value of the forest property. If 

the landowner decides to sell both land and timber, the 

residual timber will attract a range of potential buyers. 

Standing timber also is a form of savings the landowner can 

withdraw later if needed. 

80 

Original - 1955 Initial 1990 Rssidusl 1 693 ----- .......... 

d 8 10 12 14 18 18 20 22 24 28 

D.B.H. 

Figure 4.-Stand structure in an Appalachian hardwood 

selection stand on red oak site index 70 before and after 

four periodic cuts. 
Logging damage. Foresters usually are concerned about 

logging damage to residual stems when using partial cutting 

practices, particularly when cutting cycles are relatively 

short, say 10 to 15 years. Damage to saplings is of concern 

because the future stand is strongly dependent on this 

source of regeneration. Skinned stems on residual poletimber 

and small sawtimber trees also is a concern because there 

is the potential for lower quality and value if such wounds 

degrade butt logs in the future. 

A recent study of logging damage in single-tree selection 

stands indicated that periodic harvests leave an adequate 

number of undamaged stems to produce good timber crops 

in the future (Lamson et al. 1985). Damage usually is heaviest 

in the sapling-size classes, but there were over 270 

undamaged saplings per acre after three or four periodic 

cuts (Table 5). Similarly, over 100 poletimber and over 30 

sawtimber trees per acre were not damaged by periodic cuts. 

As a result, residual stands contained enough undamaged 

trees to meet residual stand goals for selection. 

Of the trees that did suffer exposed-sapwood wounds, the 

majority of them will not be degraded in the future. Wounds to 

potential crop trees were concentrated near the stump portion 

of the butt log. Also, trees with large wounds (100 in2 or more) 

or wounds above stump height can be removed in future cuts 

before any loss in grade occurs due to rot. Smaller wounds 

tend to heal before grade reductions occur. 

To reduce logging damage, logging equipment should be 

confined to skid roads as much as possible. Fender trees 

along skid roads help ensure that the load stays in the road 

and away from residual trees. Skidding shorter log lengths 

also reduces damage. Spring logging when bark slips off 

easily certainly should be avoided in partial cuts. Good 

loggers who have demonstrated the ability to conduct 

responsible partial cutting operations are well known in local 

markets. Conscientious operators can save the landowner 

money in the future by protecting residual trees and streams, 

even if they offer slightly lower stumpage prices to compensate 

them for extra care given to the residual stand. Contracting 

with a reputable logger may provide this extra care. 

Table 5.-Per-acre logging damage by diameter class during the third or fourth cut using individual-treeselection practices 

Board 

Number Basal area (sq ft) feet 

-----inches d. b. h.---- 

Item 1.0-4.9 5.0-10.9 11.0+ Total 1.0-4.9 5.0-10.9 11.0+ Total 11 .O+ 

Initial stand 427 $37 59 623 14.4 43.8 73.9 132.1 10,344 

Marked trees 0 6 19 25 0.0 2.3 24.4 26.7 3,306 

Residual standa 427 131 40 598 14.4 41.5 49.5 105.4 7,038 

Logging Damage - Residual stand 

Destroyed 40 5 2 47 1 .O 1.3 1.3 3.6 167 

Bent or leaning 28 4 1 33 0.8 1.1 0.6 2.5 73 

Net residual standb 359 1 22 37 51 8 12.6 39.1 47.6 99.3 6,799 

Exposed sapwood 58 17 4 79 2.1 5.4 5.6 13.1 795 

Broken crown branches 29 4 1 34 1.7 2.0 0.9 4.6 1 23 

-- - 

aResidual stand = initial stand minus marked trees. 

bNet residual stand = residual stand minus destroyed trees minus bent or leaning trees. 
Managing poletimber. Where markets are not available for 

poletimber products, partial cuts usually include only 

sawtimber trees. However, stand quality and value of future 

harvests can be improved if periodic selection cuts include 

cutting cull and undesirable poletimber, even if they are cut 

and left in the woods. Managing unmerchantable poletimber 

in single-tree selection results in cutting 15 to 20 additional 

trees per acre (Smith and Miller 1987). The benefits of 

cutting some undesirable poletimber include slight 

improvements in species composition and spacing of 

residual trees, plus improvements in average log quality of 

trees growing into sawtimber-size classes in the future. In 

one study on the Fernow, a selection stand managed for 

both sawtimber and poles (SP) was worth 33 percent more 

than a similar stand managed only for sawtimber (S) over a 

34-year study period (Table 6). Growing space that would 

otherwise have been occupied by undesirable poles was 

redistributed to desirable poles and advanced regeneration. 

Improving diameter-limits. Diameter-limit cutting is by far 

the most common partial cutting practice in eastern 

hardwoods. Buyer and seller transact sales with this 

practice because short-term profits are greatest with 

diameter-limit cutting, not considering impacts on stand 

value that often are delayed for decades (McCay and 

Lamson 1980; Smith and Miller 1987). If diameter-limit 

cutting is used, there are several ways to improve on the 

more traditional 14-inch stump diameter or 12-inch d.b.h. 

cut used in most Appalachian hardwoods in the past. Raise 

the minimum cut diameter to at least 16 inches d.b.h. 

(higher if possible) to allow trees to reach the minimum size 

required for grade 1 butt logs (Smith et al. 1979). For an 

18-inch d.b.h. sugar maple, grades 1,2, and 3 correspond 

to a value ratio of 7:4:1, meaning a tree with butt log grade 

1 is 7 times more valuable than one with a grade 3 butt log. 

Thus, it is beneficial to raise minimum cut diameters so that 

merchantable products have the highest potential value. 

Diameter-limits also can be improved by managing 

poletimber, as discussed above for selection, and 

merchantable sawtimber below the minimum cut d.b.h. 

When comparing a 17.0-inch diameter-limit practice (where 

no management below the cutting limit was done) to a 

single-tree selection practice (where all merchantable trees 

are managed) the impact on residual stand quality is 

remarkable. Over a 30-year period, selection stands showed 

a steady increase in the percent of residual stand volume in 

grade 1 trees (Fig. 5). Selection stands also showed a 

decreasing amount of volume in treds below sawlog grade. 

By contrast, diameter-limit stands did not show trends of 

improving quality and exhibited quality fluctuations very 

similar to unmanaged stands over time. Trimble et al. (1974) 

suggested a modification of diameter-limit cutting using 

financial maturity guidelines for individual species by site 

index. This practice also includes residual basal area 

guidelines to ensure sustained yield and an improvement 

cut below minimum-cut d.b.h. limits to promote higher 

quality stands in the future. 

Table 6.-Stand stumpage values and compounded values of periodic harvests for four hawest-cutting practices and 

a control over a 34-year period - 

Periodic harvest values 1983 value 

Treatment Stand stumpage Totala Compoundedb Stand Totald 

before stumpageC treatment 

treatment 

Commercial clearcut 

Diameter-limit 

Selection (S) 

Selection (SP) 

Control 

"Sum of stumpage payments received from periodic harvests during the study period. 

lValue of stumpage payments from periodic harvests compounded at 6% annual interest for the appropriate number of 

years to the end of 1983. 

CMinimum acceptable stumpage for poletimber and woods-run sawtimber derived from Hardwood Market Report 

(Lemsky 1983). 

"Total treatment value includes stand value in 1983 plus compounded value of periodic harvests. 
Economic selection goals. Residual stand goals used to 

practice single-tree selection can affect financial 

performance. Leaving too much basal area can limit growth 

of individual trees and reduce their earning power. Growing 

trees beyond their financial maturity diameters can reduce 

returns because space occupied by larger trees is not 

available for smaller trees that are capable of increasing in 

value at a much faster rate. The q-value used to distribute 

trees among size classes also is important because it 

affects recruitment into larger diameter classes and overall 

financial performance of the stand. Selecting the most 

efficient combination of RBA, LDT, and q-value is the key to 

maximizing returns. 

Returns from single-tree selection usually are maximized 

using a largest-diameter residual tree (LDT) of 20 to 22 

inches d.b.h. (Martin 1982; Miller 1991). However, 

landowners often desire larger residual trees to satisfy 

esthetics or wildlife objectives. For various LDT goals, the 

q-value for residual stand structure should be adjusted to 

take full advantage of the available growing space and 

earning power of the stand (Miller 1991). For example, if 

LDT is 26 inches d.b.h., RBA should be approximately 80 ft2 

per acre (5.0 inches d.b.h. and larger), and the q-value 

should be 1.3 to maximize present value of the stand (Table 

7). For other LDT goals, similar adjustments in q-value and 

RBA are required to maximize financial performance. 

Landowner objectives usually determine LDT, and then 

other residual stand goals for selection (RBA and q-value) 

can be derived using information in Table 7 to maximize 

present value of the managed stand. 

I % Grade 3 CI % Grade 2 Cl % Grade 1 

% Below grade 

Control D-limit Selection 

RECRUISE YEAR 

Figure 5.-Percent of board-foot volume per acre in trees of 

various butt-log grades. 

Table 7.-Maximum NPV and optimal RBA for combinations 

of q-value and LDT on a 10-year cutting cycle 

LDT 

-- -- 

20 BAa 

NPV~ 

22 BA 

NPV 

24 BA 

NPV 

26 BA 

NPV 

q-value 

aBA includes all residual trees50 inches d.b.h. and larger. 

bN~V based on 4 percent real discount rate. 

Summary 

Uneven-aged stand management is feasible where a 

desirable shade-tolerant species can be regenerated at 

each periodic cut. Does it pay? Studies have shown that 

selection practices earn competitive rates of return (Miller 

and Smith 1991; Smith and Miller 1987). How does it 

compare to even-aged stand management practices? In 

general, uneven-aged stand management is considered 

because landowner objectives call for a partial cutting 

practice that leaves a more-or-less continuous cover of 

overstory trees. Thus, uneven-aged silvicultural practices 

often are chosen because they are the only feasible means 

of satisfying objectives, not because they might be 

financially superior to another practice. 

Once the decision has been made to apply uneven-aged 

silvicultural practices in a particular stand, the forest 

manager then tries to set stand goals and plan periodic cuts 

to maximize potential financial performance. Managing 

poletimber, reducing logging damage, and evaluating a 

range of stand structure goals are a few of the more 

important ways to improve partial cutting practices. The 

information provided here focuses on quantifying the 

financial impact of various management options so that 

managers can develop efficient and practical cutting 

strategies that meet a range of objectives. 
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conversion standards revisited. Res. Pap. NE-645. 

Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 28 p. 

Lamson, Neil I.; Smith, H. Clay; Miller, Gary W. 1985. 

Logging damage using an individual tree selection 

practice in Appalachian hardwood stands. Northern 

Journal of Applied Forestry. 2(4): 117-120. 

Lemsky, A. 1983. Hardwood Market Report. Memphis, TN: 

Hardwood Market Report. [Number of pages not known] 

Martin, G.L. 1982. Investment-efficient stocking guides 

for all-aged northern hardwood forests. Res. Pap. 

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cutting Appalachian hardwood stands. The Northern 

Logger and Timber Processor 29(6): 16-17,73. 

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goals for single-tree selection in central Appalachian 

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4 P. 

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Smith, H. Clay; DeBald, Paul S. 1975. Economics of evenaged and uneven-aged silviculture and management 

in eastern hardwoods. In: Proceedings of the 

symposium on uneven-aged silviculture-and 

management in Eastern United States; Gen. Tech. Rep. 

WO-24. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service: [Date held and location 

unknown.] 121-137. 

Smith, H. Clay; Lamson, Neil 1. 1982. Number of residual 

trees: a guide for selection. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-80. 

Broomall, PA: US. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 33 p. 

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Smith, H. Clay; Miller, Gary W. 1987. Managing 

Appalachian hardwood stands using four harvest 

cutting practices-34-year results. Northern Journal of 

Applied Forestry. 4(4): 180-185. 

Smith, H. Clay; Trimble, George R. Jr.; DeBald, Paul S. 

1979. Raise cutting diameters for increased returns. 

Res. Pap. ME-445. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest 

Experiment Station. 33 p. 

Trimble, George R., Jr.; Mendel, Joseph J.; Kennell, 

Richard A. 1974. A procedure for selection marking In 

hardwoods-combining silvicultural considerations 

with economic guidelines. Res. Pap. NE-292. Upper 

Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 13 p. 
Miller, Gary W. 1993. Financial aspects of partial cutting practices in 

central Appalachian hardwoods. Res. Pap. NE-673. Radnor, PA: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest 

Experiment Station. 9 p. 

Uneven-aged silvicultural practices can be used to regenerate and manage 

many eastern hardwood stands. Single-tree selection methods are feasible in 

stands where a desirable shade-tolerant commercial species can be 

regenerated following periodic harvests. A variety of partial cutting practices, 

including single-tree selection and diameter-limit cutting have been used for 

30 years or more to manage central Appalachian hardwoods on the Fernow 

Experimental Forest near Parsons, West Virginia. Results from these 

research areas are presented to help forest managers evaluate financial 

aspects of partial cutting practices. Observed volume growth, product yields, 

changes in species composition, and changes in residual stand quality are 

used to evaluate potential financial returns. Also, practical economic 

considerations for applying partial cutting methods are discussed. 

1 ODC 653: 228.6 

I Keywords: Uneven-aged silviculture, Appalachian hardwoods, forest economics 

bU. S. GOVERNMENT PRlNTlNG OFFICE: 19931750-123160018 
Headquarters of the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station is in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Field laboratories are maintained at: 

- -- - 

Amherst, Massachusetts, in cooperation with the University of Massachusetts 

Burlington, Vermont, in cooperation with the University of Vermont 

Delaware, Ohio 

Durham, New Hampshire, in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire 

Hamden, Connecticut, in cooperation with Yale University 

Morgantown, West Virginia, in cooperation with West Virginia University 

Orono, Maine, in cooperation with the University of Maine 

Parsons, West Virginia 

Princeton, West Virginia 

Syracuse, New York, in cooperation with the State University of New York, 

College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry at Syracuse University 

University Park, Pennsylvania, In cooperation with The Pennsylvania State University 

Warren, Pennsylvania 

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reported to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. 

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