An Examination of the Condition of Young Natural Asian White Birch Trees in Manhanshan National Forest Park (Inner Mongolia, China) and Its Early Thinning Technology

摘要

The goal of the study was to demonstrate forest thinning techniques that should be used beginning in 2011 for the ultimate purpose of timber production by analyzing the stand structure of unthinned natural Asian White Birch forests aged 10-25 years in Manhanshan National Forest Park. The results of the study led to the following three observations: (1) among dominant trees, those with relatively good characteristics should be selected as reserve trees. Any trees obstructing the growth of the reserve trees must be removed as thinned trees. In addition, dominated trees which do not have an impact on the growth of reserve trees are left unthinned to prevent the occurrence of epicormic shoots in reserve trees. (2) The forest at 8-15 year-old should preferably be thinned for the first time. (3) It is desirable to implement thinning frequently at low intensity.