Developing management systems for the production of beech timber

Authors: Rob Allen, Jenny Hurst, Susan Wiser, Tomás Easdale
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2012, Issue N.Z.J.For. 57(2) 2012, pp 38-44, Aug 2012
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Background The extraction of timber has been the most controversial issue for beech forest management over the last half century (e.g., Benecke 1996; Mason 2000). The issue largely revolves around whether it is possible to extract timber from beech forests while maintaining or enhancing the non-extractive benefits from these forests. In 1993, Part 3A of the Forests Act 1949 came into force with provisions that require harvested areas in beech forest to be no greater than 0.5 ha, unless specific approval has been obtained for a larger area (up to 20 ha; Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 2007). Further, regeneration must have reached a predominant height of 4 m and a stocking of the harvested species equal to or greater than preharvest levels before adjacent harvesting can occur. The Forests Act also aims to achieve an appropriate balance between productive use and maintenance of the forests’ natural values (e.g., native versus exotic dominance). This article summarises nearly 20 years of experience in implementing the types of beech management systems allowed by Forests Act provisions. We consider what is known about their direct influence on tree recruitment, growth and mortality, and, where studied, on other natural values such as biodiversity, nutrient cycling and carbon storage.

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