Problem

Abstract

Forest owners are observed to harvest trees in even-aged forest stands prior to the rotation period. These harvests without the intention of subsequent regeneration will be termed thinnings. Although numerous ecological and economic effects of thinnings have been discovered, the underlying motives of forest owners to thin forest stands have not been studied consistently. This is surprising since thinnings are long established and frequently conducted operations in forestry. From this perspective, thinnings are central elements of forestry which are directly interlinked with any other forestry operation. Regardless of the objectives, then, thinnings, if or when conducted, will influence their achievements crucially.