Group selection

Last updated on September 3, 2024

The group selection silvicultural system removes small groups of trees from an area of up to a maximum of 0.5 ha. Over time, the management area becomes a multi-aged mosaic of even-aged groups that eventually develops into an uneven-aged forest. The removal of small groups of trees minimizes the visual impact of harvesting, but the resulting canopy openings may be too small to allow enough light for Douglas-fir to regenerate.

For photos of group selection see Tour Stops 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Immediately after the first entry:

a simulated image of group selection immediately after the first entry

After 30 years:

a simulated image of group selection after 30 years

 A view of a group selection opening at the following intervals:

Immediately after harvest:

Group selection immediately after harvest

Five years after harvest:

Group selection 5 years after harvest

Summary description of key features

Silvicultural system: Group selection
Treatment unit size: 21.6ha
Opening sizes: 11 openings, varying in size from 0.06ha to 0.5ha, were harvested in 2001 and another 11 openings harvested in 2011. This harvesting treatment will be repeated every 10 years over an 80 year period.
Deferred areas: 2.5ha to be cut every 10 years over 80 years
Retention structures objective: 12 ha of adjacent wildlife tree patches
Age structure: Multi-aged