because the volume contained in the trees is lost early through windthrow, but also because 

 the trees may not remain upright long enough to produce useful quantities of seed. Further, 

 such seed sources offer only a minimum opportunity to control species composition. The 

 groups possess the same composition, usually, as the harvested stand. 



Clearcutting in blocks or strips with seeding from the side or uncut timber edge is now 

 widely practiced as a reproduction method. It was not included as a method in the cuttings de- 

 scribed; yet, the early loss of the seed-tree groups and a fair degree of stocking throughout the 

 clearcut area suggest that side seeding helped effect successful regeneration. Evidence in the 

 study shows that side seeding was a significant factor within 10 chains of the timber edge. 



The type of reproduction cutting to use in harvesting spruce stands should be selected 

 carefully and the advantages and disadvantages of each method must be considered. Blind faith 

 in any single method is not justified, but careful consideration of the site conditions and re- 

 quirements will help the forest manager to select. Partial cutting under some conditions and 

 clearcutting under others are both useful methods . 



RECOMMENDATIONS 

 A few simple guidelines for spruce cutting are enumerated below: 

 Partial cutting 



1. Partial cutting should be practiced only on deep, well-drained soils, away from crests 

 of ridges or other locations in the paths of high winds. Moist, poorly drained areas are a poor 

 risk for partial cuttings and consequently should be clearcut. 



2. Trees of good vigor should be left. Select only trees in the upper dominance classes -- 

 preferably trees having long, medium -to -wide crowns. 



3. A uniform canopy should be left with as little variation as possible in tree height. 

 Making large holes in the canopy should be avoided whenever possible. 



4. Subalpine fir should be removed unless the trees are very young and have long 

 crowns. Trees with a history of long, early suppression should be avoided in the residual 

 because of the high incidence of heart rot, and also because of their sensitivity to sunscalding. 



5. Seedbed preparation that exposes mineral soil and removes competitive vegetation is 

 required for early seedling establishment and growth. 



Clearcutting 



1 . Clearcut blocks or strip cutting should be practiced especially in areas having moist 

 soils or in sites that lie in the paths of high winds. 



2 . While block or clearcut strips can be expected to receive seed from the side (timber 

 edge), side seeding should not be depended upon beyond 10 chains from the timber edge. The 

 size and shape of the opening should be planned to provide standing timber within 10 chains of 

 any part of the cutover area. 



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