Patch cuts are
logging
Logging is the process of cutting, processing, and moving trees to a location for transport. It may include skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks or skeleton cars.
Logging is the beginning of a supply chain ...
cuts too small to be considered
clearcuts, and are instead considered a form of
selection cut
Selection cutting, also known as selection system, is the silvicultural practice of harvesting trees in a way that moves a forest stand towards an uneven-aged or all-aged condition, or 'structure'. Using stocking models derived from the study of o ...
. A typical patch cut might be 2-3 tree lengths. Below a certain size, seedling regeneration advantage shifts from the
shade intolerant species favored in clearcuts to the shade tolerant species favored by
selection harvests.
An areas of patch cuts of different shapes were tried in the Northern hemisphere to see where shade tolerant and shade intolerant species might regenerate. It was found in small patches (1/10 acre) N. 44° that there was a limited solar exposure of only a few hours (3-4) and this would lead to strongly shade tolerant and moderately shade tolerant trees dominating over time. Yet at slightly larger (1/2 acre) patches much more sunlight for longer was reaching the forest floor. This would warm the floor more, increase nutrient release and thus more light demanding species could grow faster and might then reach maturity in the stand.
As well as light other factors to be considered are wind to avoid
windthrow,
pathogens and
fire risk
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products.
At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames are ...
. Positive benefits can also be gained if patches keep horizontal biodiversity in a forest stand and for an owner with not so much forest this may be useful for keeping
non-timber forest products in usable amounts.
Patch cuts can have less visual impact than clearcuts, and can mimic some
stand disturbance processes. Patch cuts can also be simpler to implement than trying to selectively
log individual trees within a selection cut.
Patch cuts are distinct from the group selection method. A patch would pick several trees to be big enough to allow regeneration of a specific species, perhaps that has problems growing due to shade intolerance or another factor, as several together. Whereas a group would be only a few mature trees (3-5) and would not necessarily favor a shade intolerant species to establish into a group. In a patch the edge effect would be overcome but in a group most likely not.
[Silviculture: Concepts and Applications 2nd Edition by Ralph D. Nyland Chapter 11]
Patch cuts may be used in a hybrid system with the single tree selection cut method or the group tree selection cut method.
See also
*
Shelterwood cutting
*
Silviculture
References
External links
Patch cuts explained with images
Forest management
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