An economic comparison of even- and uneven-aged management in Lake States northern hardwoods

摘要

Current economic information is inadequate to compare the financial productivity of even- and uneven-aged management in Lake States northern hardwood forests. Forest managers need more detailed economic information on northern hardwood cutting methods from long-term replicated studies. This study summarizes the results of a 40-year management study in Wisconsin and gives economic returns for 9 even- and uneven-aged northern hardwood cutting methods on good northern hardwood sites. It also considers the effects of varying cutting method on the diversity of northern hardwood tree species and future tree quality.;Under most economic conditions tested, the medium to heavy basal area cuts produced the highest total economic returns; a heavy diameter-limit treatment had the highest returns when discount rates were high and price expectations were low. Even-aged management methods yielded the highest regeneration diversity, but economic returns were low to moderate. The heavy selection treatment had the highest net present values of total lumber yields and harvests. However, the medium selection treatment gave the best combination of total economic return, improved tree quality, and regeneration diversity.;Forest managers have a variety of treatment options that can yield good economic returns. However, this study confirms that, in the long-term, medium or heavy basal area treatments will provide superior economic returns in northern hardwood management.