Silvicultural Strategies

Key findings related to silviculture at EMEND include:

  1. Site preparation techniques like mixing and mounding boost seedling growth and survival in stands with retained trees.

  2. 10% retention in deciduous stands balances natural regeneration and reduced suckering of trees, minimizing negative impacts on planted spruce.

  3. Retaining seed trees facilitates natural regeneration of white spruce.

  4. Intentional minor disturbance in variable retention harvested sites enhances overall stand stocking by creating favorable microsites.

  5. Both dispersed and aggregated retention methods foster ectomycorrhizal biodiversity. 

Promoting tree seedling regeneration and growth after variable retention harvesting is an important aspect of sustainable forest management. Research at EMEND has shown that tree regeneration is influenced by factors such as tree species, stand type, and retention level. These factors influence the survival and growth of planted white spruce and naturally regenerating spruce, aspen and balsam poplar. Effective site preparation also plays an important role in enhancing seedling growth and regeneration in retention-harvested stands.

Key Findings

EMEND Silviculture Briefing Note

A series of briefing notes were developed to synthesize EMEND research over the past 17 years, covering various topics including biodiversity, soil management, carbon dynamics, and silvicultural strategies. These briefing notes provide a comprehensive overview of key findings for each topic and include management implications for forest managers to inform decision-making and sustainable forest management practices.

Additionally, several EMEND infographics and Sustainable Forest Management Network research notes have been produced throughout the years. Find summaries of the briefing notes, direct links to each note, and links to related EMEND Insights, infographics and research notes on each topic page.

For a complete list of references for the EMEND Silviculture briefing note, click here.

Learn More

Click on the links below to learn more about the silviculture findings at EMEND.

Research Note #41: Spruce and aspen regeneration following variable retention harvest at EMEND.