Even- to uneven-aged: the challenges of conversion

Changing philosophies of management have encouraged some landowners to consider converting existing even-aged stands to an uneven-aged arrangement. This will require an extended time as managers partition the cut of original trees in periodically establishing new age classes and maintaining the vigor of ones that develop. Strategies might include forms of uniform partial cutting, or patch cutting combined with thinning. The approach depends upon the shade tolerance and regeneration potential of the component species. Also, the limited growth potential of original trees that occupied poor crown positions will force landowners to rely on the dominants and co-dominants as residual growing. stock during the conversion of most even-aged stands. Stratified mixed-species stands would allow a different approach. While experience suggests some clear options for the first entry towards conversion, later cuttings are more difficult to envision at present. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.