Abstract Close-to-nature forestry may contribute to fulfil the objective of sustainable forestry. In western Denmark conversion of even-aged monocultures of Norway spruce to more stable stands has high priority, and must be done before close-to-nature forest management systems such as selection management can be implemented. Shelterwood regeneration in medium-aged Norway spruce stands seems to be the most promising method for conversion. Time consumption and damages were studied on the different harvesting methods in the establishment of the shelterwood. The traditional cut-to-length system gave higher net income than the fuel chip harvesting systems, but changes in price relations or lower stand quality might reverse this. The damage rate of remaining trees seems to be negatively correlated with the productivity of the logging/chipping operation.
[1]
B. Brunberg,et al.
Basic data for productivity standards for single-grip harvesters in thinning
,
1989
.
[2]
H. Hager,et al.
Spruce Monocultures in Central Europe - Problems and Prospects
,
2000
.
[3]
Matti Sirén.
Tree Damage in Single-Grip Harvester Thinning Operations
,
2001
.
[4]
Helmut Schmidt-Vogt,et al.
Die Fichte : ein Handbuch in zwei Bänden
,
1977
.
[5]
Tomas Nordfjell,et al.
Operational Aspects of Row and Selective Thinning in the Establishing of a Shelterwood in a 50-Year-Old Norway Spruce Stand
,
2003
.
[6]
Tomas Nordfjell,et al.
Productivity and Costs in Shelterwood Harvesting
,
2000
.