All-aged forests generally contain mix- 
tures of tree species, and are especially 
attractive in fall coloration. Only the 
largest and oldest trees are harvested 
from these stands. 
F—401469 
Variety With All-Aged Forests 
Many important forest types contain trees of several ages, includ- 
ing such attractive mixtures as the maple-beech-hemlock forests of 
New England, the hemlock-redcedar forests of the western moun- 
tains, and the spruce-fir-paper birch forests of the Lake States. The 
all-aged forests are attractive because they contain a variety of 
patterns, textures, and tree sizes. Those containing hardwoods gen- 
erally have lovely fall coloration. 
Timber harvesting in all-aged forests removes the larger and older 
trees, at the same time providing more room for younger and smaller 
trees to grow. A forest cover always remains on the landscape, and 
the signs of logging are hidden or soon disappear. 
All-aged management tends to increase the proportion of those 
components in the mixture which are least valuable commercially, 
for example, sugar maple and balsam-fir in the eastern forest types. 
The problem of retaining desired components can sometimes be 
solved by clear cutting in small patches or strips. This practice is 
really even-aged management in small areas, and like all-aged 
management, modifies the landscape only slightly. 
12 
F—447720 
One million board feet of timber was harvested 3 years before the picture was 
taken of this forest in western North Carolina. A vigorous stand of young 
hardwoods remains to clothe the mountainside. 
In high-value recreation areas mature trees are sometimes harvested in small 
patches to cause the least disturbance to the forest cover. When trees fill the 
openings, other patches are cut. 
F—499267 
