Download Long-term outcomes of thinning silver beech forests in Southland

We remeasured a silver beech thinning trial in Alton Valley, Southland (stand age 74 years) to assess the effects of thinning on tree and stand growth, comparing results to previous measurements in 1999 and 2009. Trees continue to grow across all stem densities, especially in heavily thinned plots, though at a slower rate; mortality remains low except for a slight increase at high densities. The optimal stem density for maximum merchantable yield is 563 stems per hectare, which is consistent with earlier assessments.