The pleasure in cutting standing Sitka Spruce

[MattyF]

I have been told height above sea level is another factor , they won’t thin commercial stands over a certain height as they blow.. could be talking bollocks though??

[difflock]

Possibly due to peaty ground, means they cant root properly, and with the "pumping" of the root area due to cyclical wind loading, the peat will separate from the underlying pan, also probably more exposed to stronger winds.

 

cheers

mth

[Khriss]

If they have shown a good increment rate over last few yrs you might have good money in that stand after a few years. Is a risky projection tho' would love to give you a hand with the felling. Damn this working fr a company bollx,  k

[hplp]

I thought that standard forestry would be to thin 1 in 4 (every 4th row), just to allow a machine down it.

 

If you dont want to row thin, randomly taking out trees in a matrix pattern, just taking out enough to open the canopy a very small bit, would allow the greatest growth increment as trees thrive and fill in available space. Doing this every couple of years will provide you with timber but also keep the crop growing.

 

Being where you are though and as you have said the wind is probabily going to be the biggest problem.

 

If you are getting wind-throw, you might already be hitting critical height and there is not alot you can do except plan for the next crop. Taking advantage of sheltered parts of the site and doing more thinning/management there can extend the life of the trees before they fall over.

 

Are you looking at planting just native broadleaves such as oak/beech? I initially thought of those on my place on the west of Ireland but have since come back around to planting with Douglas and WRC as Id like trees not bushes!

 

ta,

 

H

Edited March 12, 2018 by hplp