Field Guide

Thinning control

Thinning control
Key to procedures
Determine the yield class of the stand
(page 4)

Choose the thinning type

(page 8)

Choose the thinning intensity

(page 9)

Choose the thinning cycle

(page 10)

Calculate the thinning yield

(page 10)

Check the stand is ready for thinning

(page 16)

Start by marking out a representative

corner of the stand

Measure the volume marked

(page 28)

Adjust the size, or

number, or both, Is the volume marked greater or less
Y
of the trees being than the specified thinning yield?
marked accordingly
N

Continue marking
making only
occasional checks
 Field Guide

Thinning control

Forestry Commission: Edinburgh

© Crown Copyright 2015

You may re-use this information (not including logos or material that is copyright of
a third party) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open
Government Licence. To view this licence, visit: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/
open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team at: The
National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or e-mail: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.
First published by the Forestry Commission as Booklet 17 in 1967. Second edition
published as Booklet 32 in 1971. Third edition published as Booklet 54 in 1985.
reprinted as Field Book 2 in 1988 and 1999. This revised fourth edition published
by the Forestry Commission in 2015.
ISBN: 978-0-85538-930-7
Forestry commission (2015).
Thinning Control
Forestry Commission, Edinburgh. i–iv + 1–56pp.
Keywords: forestry, forest management, silviculture, thinning
FCFG004/FC-GB( JW)/MLG-1.5K/OCT15

Enquiries relating to this publication should be addressed to:

Forestry Commission
Silvan House
231 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh EH12 7AT
0300 067 5000
publications@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

The Forestry Commission will consider all requests to make the content of
publications available in alternative formats. Please send any such requests
to diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or call 0300 067 5046.

ii
Contents
Introduction 1

Yield class 3.
The concept of yield class 4.
Assessing general yield class 5

Thinning practice 7
Thinning type 8.
Thinning intensity 9.
Thinning cycle 9.
Thinning yield 10.
Timing of thinning 15
Control of thinning 19

Field procedures 21
Measuring top height 22.
Measuring basal area 22.
Measuring the volume marked 28.
Calculating mean diameter 29

General yield class curves 37

Further reading and useful sources of information 56

iii
thinning control

iv
Introduction
Thinning in forestry is the selective removal of a proportion of trees growing in a
forest in order to provide more growing space for the remaining trees. The usual aim
is to increase the total yield of usable timber over the lifetime of a stand of trees and
to provide an intermediate supply of timber. However, thinning may also be carried
out for other reasons, for example to increase biodiversity or to improve the
resilience of trees to environmental stresses or outbreaks of pests or diseases.

If a stand of trees is to be thinned, there are choices to be made on the age of first
thinning, the type of thinning, the intensity of thinning, the thinning cycle, the
thinning yield, and the age at which thinning should cease. These choices will depend
on such factors as management objectives, timber markets available at the time and
likely to be available in the future, the quality of the stand, its liability to wind damage
and the cost of harvesting the timber.

The main objectives of thinning control are usually to combine maximum timber
yield in the long term with the maintenance of a regular supply of material from
thinnings. Failure to control the volume removed as thinnings can result in over
cutting which leads to a loss in volume production, or under cutting which depresses
profitability. Such failure to control the thinning may also produce an erratic supply of
timber to the market.

The precision of control will depend upon the expertise and resources available, as
well as the nature of the tree stand being thinned. Normally it should be possible to
control yields to within 15% of the target thinning yield, but achieving this degree of
control may be expensive in mixtures or stands that are very variable in other ways.
Note that effective thinning practice depends upon the appropriate application of the
guidance under a wide range of conditions. For example, it may pay to thin an
understocked stand because of contractual commitments, despite the loss of
increment that is likely to result.

This Field Guide provides guidance on the control of volume to be removed when
marking a thinning and a guide to thinning yields. There are four main sections: the
first describes the yield class system and how yield class is assessed in a stand. The
second covers thinning practice, including the type, intensity and cycle of thinning,
how to calculate the thinning yield, the timing of thinning, and how the thinning is
controlled. The third describes the field procedures for estimating top height, basal
area and volume marked, and how to calculate mean diameter. The final section
presents general yield class curves for a selection of common species. A summary of
the office and field procedures to be followed when marking a thinning is printed on
the inside front cover.

1
thinning control

2
 Yield class

Yield class
thinning control

The concept of yield class

Before you can decide on an appropriate thinning regime for the various crops that
make up the forest in question, you will need information about the current and
future rates of tree growth. This may be measured in terms of increases in height,
diameter, volume or weight. Of these, volume is the most meaningful for purposes
of management.

In an even-aged stand the cumulative volume production, including dead trees and
thinnings, divided by the age of the stand is referred to as the mean annual increment
(MAI). After planting, MAI increases during the early years of vigorous growth, reaches
a maximum, and then declines with increasing age. The point at which the MAI curve
reaches a maximum is the maximum average rate of volume increment which a
particular stand can achieve, and this indicates the yield class. For example, a stand
with a maximum MAI of 14 cubic metres per hectare has a yield class of 14.

In order to assess yield class it is possible to avoid the direct measurement or

prediction of cumulative volume production because there is a good relationship
between top height and cumulative volume production of a stand. The relationship
allows yield class to be read directly from top height/age curves (see pages 39–55).
The yield class for species other than those for which curves are provided can be
estimated by using the curves suggested in Table 1.

Table 1  Suggested top height/age curves for other species.

For these species: Use curves for:
Maritime pine Pinus pinaster Lodgepole Pine
Weymouth pine Pinus strobus Scots Pine*
Monterey pine Pinus radiata Corsican Pine
Bishop pine Pinus muricata Corsican Pine
Serbian spruce Picea omorika Norway Spruce*
Silver fir Abies alba Noble Fir
Coast redwood Sequoia sempervirens Grand Fir*
Wellingtonia Sequoiadendron giganteum Grand Fir*
Alders Alnus spp. Sycamore, ash and birch
Norway maple Acer platanoides Sycamore, ash and birch
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Beech
Sweet chestnut Castanea sativa Beech
Red oak Quercus rubra Beech
* The yield class is likely to be one greater than that derived using the General Yield Class curves.

4
 Yield class

Yield class obtained through top height and age of the stand alone is termed General
Yield Class (GYC). Yield class obtained from some measure or prediction of the actual
mean annual volume increment of the stand is termed Local Yield Class (LYC). Where
LYC is known, it should be used in preference to GYC for thinning control. (see the
booklet accompanying Forest Yield: a pc-based yield model for forest management in
Britain for further information).

Assessing general yield class

1. Estimate the top height of the stand (see page 22).

2. Determine the age of the stand (the number of growing seasons since planting).
3. Use the top height/age curves on pages 39–55 to determine the General Yield Class
of the stand (e.g. if the top height of a stand of Sitka spruce is 19 m at an age of 40
years then, using the top height/age curve on page 42, the GYC is 14).

Forestry Commission convention is to estimate and report yield class as even

numbers only (for example 4, 6 or 8), therefore GYC is rounded to the nearest even
whole number. For example, a stand of yield class 14 has a maximum MAI of
about 14 m3 per hectare (greater than 13 m3 per hectare but equal to or less than
15 m3 per hectare). A value of exactly 13 is rounded to yield class 12.

Where there is more than one species in the stand, the GYC of each species should
be assessed separately. It may be necessary to increase the number of sample plots
to estimate top height so that the minimum number of top height trees is measured
in each species. The average yield class of the stand can be obtained by averaging the
component yield classes according to the proportion of the canopy each occupies.
For example, if one species occupies 40% of the canopy and has a GYC of 10, while
a second species of GYC 14 occupies 60% of the canopy, the average GYC is:

(10 x 40 + 14 × 60)
= 12.4 (which rounds to 12)
100

Uneven-aged stands are treated in a similar way in that the yield class of each
component is assessed separately, and the average yield class again obtained,
weighted according to the proportion of the canopy occupied by each component.

When, for any reason, the rate of height growth has changed appreciably in the life
of the stand (e.g. because it has been in check, or because it has been fertilised), an
adjusted age should be used instead of the actual age. Further information on yield
class assessment is given in the booklet accompanying Forest Yield: a pc-based yield
model for forest management in Britain.

5
thinning control

Further information on height measurement is given in Forest Mensuration:

a handbook for practitioners (section 3.3).

6
 Thinning practice

Thinning practice
thinning control

Thinning type
Thinnings may be either selective or systematic.

Selective thinning

Selective thinning is a thinning in which trees are removed or retained on their

individual merits.

The most common type of selective thinning is known as intermediate thinning.

It involves the removal of most of the suppressed and sub-dominant trees, and also
the opening up of the canopy by breaking up groups of competing dominant and
co-dominant trees. This encourages the development of the better trees and leaves
an open and fairly uniform stand.

In low thinning, trees are removed predominantly from the lower canopy, i.e. the
suppressed and sub-dominant trees. Low thinning tends to result in relatively dense
stands of evenly distributed trees. In crown thinning trees are removed
predominantly from the upper canopy, i.e. some dominants and co-dominants,
with the aim of giving selected trees freedom to grow rapidly. Some trees may also
be removed from the lower canopy. Crown thinnings are often used at the first and
second thinnings, especially for shade-tolerant trees, to increase the average size of
trees being removed as thinnings, and to encourage the growth of the remaining trees
where very large trees are more valuable. However, a true crown thinning cannot be
maintained throughout a rotation, because too few competing trees remain to give
a reasonable thinning yield. Over a rotation, the distinction between low and crown
thinnings tends to become academic. For example, even if a low thinning is used,
some thinning in the upper canopy is usually inevitable in order to release the better
dominant trees, which will ultimately form the main crop of the stand. A stand could
be thinned by removing the dominant trees, but this would result in a considerable
reduction in total volume production over the rotation.

Systematic thinning

Systematic thinning is a thinning in which trees are removed according to a

predetermined system which does not permit consideration of the merits of
individual trees.

Systematic thinnings are usually one of the varieties of line thinning such as row
thinning, strip thinning, chevron thinning, or some combination of these, and are
commonly used for the first, and sometimes the second, thinning. Systematic thinning
is usually cheaper and easier to manage than selective thinning, but the operation
may leave parts of the crop unthinned and may result in losses of volume production

8
 Thinning practice

and reduced stand stability. Systematic thinning should only be considered where the
saving in cost is greater than the likely loss of future revenue.

Thinning intensity
The thinning intensity is the rate at which volume is removed, e.g. 10 m3 per hectare
per year. It should not be confused with the thinning yield which is the actual volume
removed in any one thinning.

Over a wide range of thinning intensities the cumulative volume production of usable
timber is unaffected. At low intensities, stands will be overstocked, unless the initial
plant spacing is very wide, and the cumulative production of usable timber is reduced
because some trees die before they are harvested. At high intensities, stands do not
fully utilise the growing space created by the thinnings, so that cumulative production
is reduced. The maximum thinning intensity which can be maintained without
causing a loss of cumulative volume production is known as the marginal thinning
intensity. For most species this critical intensity, assessed from the time the stand has
reached the threshold basal area (see page 17) up to the time of maximum mean
annual volume increment, (see pages 37–56), is about 70% of the maximum mean
annual volume increment per year (i.e. 70% of the yield class is removed each year).
Thus, the marginal thinning intensity of a stand of yield class 20 is 14 m3 per hectare
per year (70% of 20).

The choice of thinning intensity depends on the location of the stand, the markets
available, and the objectives of the owner. Higher intensities will be reflected in
greater increases in mean diameter of the main-crop trees. In addition, the greater
thinning yields resulting from higher intensities provide greater revenues. Taken
together, these features tend to make higher thinning intensities more profitable,
although the reduced volume of the final crop has to be taken into account. The
marginal thinning intensity is often chosen as it produces high thinning yields without
reducing the total volume production over the rotation, but there are circumstances
when it will not be the best choice. For example, if thinnings are difficult to sell,
thinning may not be carried out, or a lower thinning intensity may be adopted. If
large sized trees are required as soon as possible, a higher thinning intensity may
be adopted even though total volume production will be reduced.

Thinning cycle
The thinning cycle is the interval in years between successive thinnings.

For the purpose of determining the thinning yield (defined below), the cycle is the
number of years before the next thinning, not the number of years since the last

9
thinning control

thinning which has little relevance to future growth. The cycle has an influence on
profitability as the value per cubic metre of any single thinning depends in part on the
scale of the operation. Long cycles involve heavier single thinnings which are usually
more profitable, but may increase the risk of windthrow owing to an opening up of
the canopy. In extreme cases they may result in some loss of volume production. The
choice of thinning cycle will usually depend on local management considerations and
on the yield class of the crop. The usual length of thinning cycle is from 4–6 years in
young or fast growing crops, and about 10 years in older or slower growing crops.

Thinning yield
The thinning yield is the actual volume removed in any one thinning. If a fully stocked
stand is thinned at the marginal thinning intensity, the thinning yield will be 70% of
the maximum mean annual increment (i.e. 70% of the yield class) multiplied by the
cycle. For example, the thinning yield for a stand of yield class 14 being thinned at the
marginal thinning intensity on a 5-year cycle is:

70%  × 14 × 5 = 49 m3 per hectare

If the marginal thinning intensity has been chosen, the normal thinning yield can be
read from Table 2 according to the yield class and thinning cycle.

These thinning yields can be taken from the time that the threshold basal area is
reached up until the time of maximum mean annual increment, which is indicated on
the top height/age curves (pages 37–56).

If the marginal thinning intensity has not been chosen, the actual thinning intensity
can be used to calculate the thinning yield. For example, the yield from a stand of
yield class 14, being thinned at an intensity of 80% of the marginal thinning intensity
on a 5 year cycle is:

80% × 70% × 14 = 39.2 m3 per hectare

In all cases, the thinning yield should not be so heavy that it opens up the stand to the
risk of windthrow, or to invasion by other woody species, and thinning should not
take all the dominant and good quality trees so that none are left to form a
reasonable crop after thinning.

10
 Thinning practice

Table 2  Thinning volumes per hectare (cubic metres overbark to 7 cm top

diameter).*

Yield Thinning cycles**

class
3 4 5 6 8 10 12
4 22.4 28 33.6
6 21 25.2 33.6 42 50.4
8 22.4 28 33.6 44.8 56 67.2
10 21.0 28.0 35 42.0 56.0 70 84.0
12 25.2 33.6 42 50.4 67.2 84
14 29.4 39.2 49 58.8 78.4
16 33.6 44.8 56 67.2 89.6
18 37.8 50.4 63 75.6
20 42.0 56.0 70 84.0
22 46.2 61.6 77
24 50.4 67.2 84
26 54.6 72.8
28 58.8 78.4
30 63.0 84.0
*Thinning volumes given in the table are expressed on the basis of net area (see section on Net
and gross areas).
**Number of years before next thinning, not since the last.

Net and gross areas

The thinning yields in this Guide refer to fully stocked areas. The gross area which
includes roads, rides, or other non-productive land should be reduced to a net area
which excludes such land, before the volume per hectare is calculated for the
purposes of thinning control. The training and supervision of markers is easier if
estimates of the volume marked per net hectare are made. For example, extraction
racks should not be included in the area being marked, as the thinning yield should
be controlled in the productive area between the racks. When the racks themselves
are marked it will usually be easiest to control the volume marked in the normal way
between the racks, and to estimate the total volume removed by adding on the extra
volume removed from the racks.

11
thinning control

Understocked stands

Understocked is a subjective term used to describe a stand composed of either trees

with significant open (and by implication ‘unproductive’) space between their crowns;
or trees where stocking density is less than a specified target level, for example as
obtained from a standard yield table; or both.

The normal thinning yields are intended for use with fully stocked stands, so some
reduction in yield will be necessary for stands which are understocked, perhaps
caused by over-thinning in the past. However, it will usually be more practical to
leave such stands until they have reached full stocking again (see ‘Timing of thinning’
on page 16). If it is decided to thin an understocked stand, recovery of full stocking
will be delayed much less if the thinning yield is reduced by at least one year’s cut.
For example, it may be best to take a 3-year cut even if it is proposed to thin again
in 4 years’ time.

Overstocked stands

Overstocked is a subjective term used to describe a stand composed of either trees

where continued growth is constrained by extensive competition between their
crowns; or trees where the stocking density is greater than a specified target level,
for example as obtained from a standard yield table; or both.

In stands which are overstocked, perhaps because of a lack of thinning in the past,
or a delay in the time of first thinning, the thinning yield can be increased to reduce
the stocking level. For example, a 6-year cut may be taken even if it is proposed to
thin again in 5 years’ time. If the stand is still overstocked at the next thinning, the
procedure may be repeated so as to achieve a controlled reduction in stocking.
Where there is a choice, short rather than long cycles should be used when thinning
overstocked stands. This is particularly relevant where there is a risk of windthrow.

Species mixtures

The thinning yield from stands with mixtures of species should be determined in
the same way as for stands of single species, except that a ‘weighted mean’ yield class
should be used, i.e. weighting each species according to the percentage of the canopy
of the stand that it is expected to occupy after the thinning. For example, if the stand
after thinning is expected to be 75% Sitka spruce – yield class 16, and 25% Lodgepole
pine – yield class 8, then the thinning yield at the marginal thinning intensity on a
5-year cycle is:

(75% × 16 + 25% × 8) × 70% × 5 = 49 m3 per hectare

12
 Thinning practice

Uneven-aged stands

In two storey single-species stands, the thinning yield should be calculated in the
normal way using the weighted mean yield class of both the components. However,
in all-aged stands the whole of the maximum mean annual increment can be
removed each year. For example, if the yield class is 12, then on a 5-year cycle each
‘thinning’ yield would be 12 × 5 = 60 m3 per hectare. The yield will consist of trees
of all ages and all sizes, and the largest trees will be of, or past, rotation age.

Diseased stands

In diseased stands, the thinning yield may have to be reduced or thinning may be
suspended altogether. The correct treatment will depend on the nature and extent
of the disease.

Stands with patchy growth or partial check

When parts of a stand are ready for thinning, but others are not, thinning will usually
only be started when the thinnable parts are large enough for economic working.
Usually, the full thinning yield will be taken from fully stocked parts of the stand, while
the other areas may be left unthinned. For example, if a stand is only 65% fully
stocked, then only 65% of the thinning yield will be available.

Line thinning

In selective thinnings, the thinning intensity is usually controlled by fixing the thinning
cycle and adjusting the thinning yield. However, in line thinnings, it is not always
practicable to make precise adjustments to the thinning yield. For example, the
harvesting method may reduce the options for varying the thinning yield, if maximum
efficiency of harvesting is to be achieved. Therefore in line thinnings it is usually more
convenient to control the thinning intensity by adjusting the thinning cycle.

If there are overriding management reasons why the thinning cycle cannot be
adjusted, then the scope for modifying the thinning yield, given a fixed cycle, is
restricted in the case of row thinnings. For example, if it is desired to thin by removing
single rows, then the options are: removal of every fourth row (25%), every third row
(33%) or every second row (50%). In chevron patterns of thinning the possibilities of
adjusting the thinning yield are greater. Examples of two common situations are given
below. They show the various steps required to derive an appropriate thinning
pattern for a fixed cycle. A worked example is included in brackets after each step.

Row thinning

1. Determine the yield class of the stand (16).

13
thinning control

2. Choose the thinning type (row thinning).

3. Choose the thinning intensity (marginal thinning intensity).

4. Choose the thinning cycle (6 years).

5. Work out the thinning yield (70% × 16 × 6 = 67.2 m3 per hectare).

6. Estimate the volume per hectare before thinning (150 m3 per hectare).

7. Express the thinning yield as a percentage of the estimated volume per hectare
before thinning.

67.2
× 100 = 44.8%
150

8. Choose a row removal pattern appropriate to this thinning percentage. (In this
example, the nearest equivalent for a single row removal pattern would be to
remove every second row (50%).)

9. If the percentage resulting from the chosen row removal pattern is greater or less
than the required percentage, the thinning cycle should be altered, or the thinning
yield at the next thinning should be reduced or increased, or the removal pattern
reconsidered. (In this example, the removal of every second row would cause some
loss of increment and it would be necessary to extend the thinning cycle by about 2
years. Alternative approaches would be to take a smaller cut after the planned cycle
of 6 years, or to remove every third row on a 5 year cycle.)

Chevron thinning

1. As for row thinning.

2. Choose the thinning type (chevron thinning).

3–7. As for row thinning.

8. Choose the spacing between main racks, and the number of rows to be removed
(every 20th row removed) to create main racks.

9. Deduct the volume percentage removed by creating the main racks (1 in 20 = 5%)
from the target percentage (44.8 – 5 = 39.8%). Note that if the main racks are not
parallel to the rows, the percentage removed is in effect the mean rack width
expressed as a percentage of the distance between racks.

14
 Thinning practice

10. The remaining volume must be removed from the side racks. As the remaining
fully stocked portion of the stand is less than the total area (in this example 95%),
then the proportion of the remaining growing stock to be removed is:

39.8
× 100 = 41.9%
95

11. The thinning yield is controlled through varying the side rack width, the angle of
the side rack to the main racks, or the distance between the side racks, so that the
required percentage of the fully stocked area is removed. Given two of these
factors, the third can be found as follows:

f p p
d = r × r = d × f=d×
p f r

where p is the proportion of the fully stocked area required to be removed

from the side racks (see Step 10 above).

d is the distance between side racks.

r is the mean rack width.

f is a factor which varies according to the angle of the side rack with the
main rack:

Angle 30° 35° 40° 45° 50° 55°

Factor (f) 200 174 156 141 130 122

For example, if the mean rack width is 2 m, and the angle between main
and side racks is 40°, then the distance between side racks is:

156
2× = 7.45 m
41.9

A line-thinned stand may take longer to reach the basal area required before
a further thinning is justified than would be the case with a selective thinning.

Timing of thinning
A stand will not normally be thinned unless it is fully stocked. This may be judged by
visual inspection or, more objectively, by using the following procedure:

15
thinning control

For conifers

1. Estimate the top height of the stand (see page 22).

2. Estimate the basal area per hectare (see page 22).

3. Compare the basal area with the threshold basal area given in Table 3.

For broadleaves

1. Estimate the top height of the stand (see page 22).

2. Determine the yield class of the stand (see page 4).

3. Estimate the basal area per hectare (see page 22).

4. Compare the basal area with the threshold basal area given in Table 3.

If the basal area is equal to, or greater than, the value in the table, the stand is fully
stocked and therefore ready for thinning. If the basal area is less than the value in the
table, the stand is not fully stocked. If however, it is still intended to thin the stand,
then the thinning yield should be reduced to compensate, or the thinning cycle
should be extended to allow the stand time to recover.

If the thinning yield is more than 60 m3 per hectare, the threshold basal area in
Table 3 should be increased before comparing it with the actual basal area. If the
thinning yield is between 60 and 80 m3 per hectare, increase the Table value by 10%.
If it is over 80 m3 per hectare, increase the Table value by 20%.

Time of first thinning

The time of first thinning will vary depending on the species, yield class and initial
spacing of the stand, the thinning intensity, the yield of the first thinning, and
harvesting and marketing considerations.

The earliest age at which thinning can take place without losing cumulative volume
production is known as the standard thinning age. This is not necessarily the
recommended first thinning age and there may be good reasons for starting thinning
at other ages.

The standard thinning age is later in more widely spaced stands and also for a heavy
first thinning, as otherwise the stocking will be reduced to a level which would cause
a loss of cumulative volume production. There are many circumstances where the
most profitable treatment will be to begin thinning later than the standard thinning

16
 Thinning practice

Table 3  Threshold basal areas for fully stocked stands (square metres per hectare).
Species Yield Top height (metres)
class 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Scots pine 26 26 27 30 32 35 38 40 43 46
Corsican pine 34 34 33 33 33 34 35 36 37 39
Lodgepole pine 33 31 31 30 30 31 31 32 33 34
Sitka spruce 33 34 34 35 35 36 37 38 39 40 42
Norway spruce 33 33 34 35 36 38 40 42 44 46 49
European larch 23 22 22 22 23 24 25 27 28 30
Japanese and 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 27 28 29
hybrid larch
Douglas fir 28 28 28 29 30 31 32 34 35 37 40
Western hemlock 32 34 35 36 36 36 37 38 38 39 40
Red cedar 49 50 51 53 55 57 60 63 66 70
Grand fir 39 39 39 39 39 39 40 41 43 45
Noble fir 45 46 46 47 48 49 51 52 54
Oak 4 24 24 23 23 24 24
6 26 25 24 24 25 25 25 25
8 27 25 24 24 24 25 26 26 26
Beech and 4 22 23 25 27 30
sweet chestnut 6 24 25 25 27 29 31 33 36
8 — 27 27 27 28 29 31 33 35 37
10 — 28 28 27 27 28 29 31 33 35
Sycamore, ash, 4 17 17 18 21
birch and alder 6 17 18 19 22 25
8 17 18 20 22 25 28
10 18 19 20 23 26 30 33
12 19 20 21 24 27 31 35

age, notably where the standing value of the trees in such a thinning is low. If the
first thinning is delayed, it will need to be heavier, i.e. give a higher thinning yield,
so that the stand returns to the correct growing stock level, consistent with that for
the standard thinning age. It may not be possible to do this in one operation if the
thinning has been considerably delayed, as this could lead to loss of volume
production or stand instability. Subsequent thinnings will also need to be heavier
than normal to compensate. Delaying the first thinning is unlikely to cause any
reduction in cumulative production of usable timber unless the thinning is delayed
so long that trees start dying, but it will affect the mean diameter of the trees. The
standard thinning age for a wide range of species, yield classes and initial planting
spacings is given in Table 4.

17
thinning control

Table 4  Standard thinning ages (years).

Species Spacing Yield class
(m) 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4
Scots pine 1.4 21 23 25 29 33 40
2.0 22 24 27 31 35 45
2.4 24 26 29 34 39 49
Corsican pine 1.4 18 19 20 21 23 25 28 33
2.0 19 20 21 22 24 27 30 36
2.4 20 22 23 25 27 30 34 41
Lodgepole pine 1.5 19 21 23 26 31 40
2.0 20 22 25 28 34 44
2.4 21 24 27 31 38 48
Sitka spruce 1.7 18 18 19 20 21 22 24 26 29 33
2.0 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 27 30 35
2.4 19 20 21 22 24 25 28 30 34 40
Norway spruce 1.5 20 21 22 23 24 26 28 31 35
2.0 21 22 23 25 26 29 31 35 41
2.4 23 24 25 27 28 31 34 39 46
European larch 1.7 18 20 22 26 32
Japanese larch 1.7 14 15 17 19 22 26
Hybrid larch 2.0 15 16 18 20 23 27
2.4 16 17 19 21 25 30
Douglas fir 1.7 16 17 17 18 19 21 23 25 28
2.0 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 27 30
2.4 17 18 19 20 22 24 27 30 34
Western hemlock 1.5 19 20 21 22 24 26 28
Western red cedar/ 1.5 21 22 23 24 26 28 30
Lawson cypress
Grand fir 1.8 19 20 20 21 21 22 23 24 25
Noble fir 1.5 22 23 25 27 29 31
Oak 1.2 24 28 35
Beech 1.2 26 29 32 37
Sycamore/ash/birch 1.5 14 15 17 20 24

18
 Thinning practice

Control of thinning
Thinning can be controlled in terms of the number of trees, the basal area, or
the volume, either remaining after thinning, or removed in the thinning. In many
situations, control of thinning based on a target for the basal area or volume to
be removed is preferable, because:

• It is easier to do.
• It tends to produce a constant and predictable yield of timber which is useful
for planning purposes.

In general, referring to a target quantity (either to remove or to leave standing)

discourages drastic reduction of the level of the growing stock which can lead
to windthrow or other damage caused by a sudden opening up of the canopy.

Therefore, it is recommended that, normally, thinning should be controlled by

determining a target for the basal area or the volume to be removed. It is essential
that the stocking of all stands should be checked before thinning, to see that it is
adequate (see ‘Timing of thinning’ on page 16). This Guide assumes that the thinning
will be controlled by the volume removed. This is easier than using basal area as, for
a given thinning intensity, the recommended volume to be removed is constant up
to the age of maximum mean annual increment, whereas the basal area removed
declines as the stand gets older. A summary of office and field procedures to be
followed when marking a thinning is printed inside the front cover.

It is important to note that thinning control based on a simplistic target for the
number of trees (either removed or left standing) is not recommended, because
the outcome, and therefore the target that needs to be set for the thinning, is very
dependent on the thinning type. For example, if a specified number of the smallest
trees in a stand are removed during a thinning, then the (larger) trees left standing
will still occupy much of the available canopy, so the effect on growing space will be
limited. On the other hand, if the same number of larger trees is removed, this may
leave large holes in the canopy. It is, therefore, difficult to specify simple and generally
applicable targets for thinning over the rotations of stands of trees, expressed in terms
of numbers of trees.

19
thinning control

20
 Field procedures

Field procedures
thinning control

Measuring top height

The top height of a stand is the average total height of the ‘top height trees’ in the
stand. The top height trees are formed by the 100 trees of largest diameter at breast
height (dbh) per hectare. A top height sample tree can be identified as the tree of
largest dbh in a 0.01 ha sample plot. This is not necessarily the tallest tree. Table 5
gives the likely minimum number of trees required to give an adequate estimate of
top height.

Top height assessment

1. Select points at random throughout the stand. The number of points is equal to the
desired number of top height trees from Table 5, based on the area of the stand.

2. Measure the height of the tree with the largest dbh within a radius of 5.6 m from
each point. If there are no trees within 5.6 m of a point then a new point should
be selected at random.

3. Take the average of the heights measured to give an estimate of the top height of
the stand.

Table 5  Number of top height trees.

Area of stand (ha) Uniform stand Variable stand
0.5–2 6 8
2–10 8 12
Over 10 10 16

Measuring basal area

To check whether a stand has reached the threshold basal area (Table 3) it is
necessary to take simple measurements using a relascope or sample measurements
using a relascope or sample plots as described below.

Using a relascope

Choose the number of sample points, using Table 6 as a rough guide. Select this
number of points, preferably systematically or with a point sampling grid on the map,
throughout the area being assessed. Each point should be at least the minimum
distance from the edge of the area given in Table 7.

22
 Field procedures

Table 6  Number of relascope sweeps.

Area (ha) Uniform crop Variable crop
0.5–2 12 16
2–10 16 24
Over 10 20 32

Table 7  Minimum distances (in metres) of sample points from edge of stand.
Maximum likely dbh Minimum distance from edge of stand (m)
of trees (cm)
Relascope factor 2 Relascope factor 0.5
20 7 14
30 11 21
40 14 28
50 18 35
60 21 42
70 25 49
80 28 56

A relascope assessment or ‘sweep’ needs to be made at each sampling point. This

involves using the relascope to count or discount the trees which are within visible
range of the sampling point. The exact method depends on the type of relascope
being used. Further information can be found in Forest Mensuration: a handbook for
practitioners (pages 39–42 and Appendix 1).

At each point, make a 360° sweep with the relascope, and record the number of trees
counted. Only trees with a dbh of at least 7 cm should be counted. If an estimate of
the basal area of only part of the stand is required, e.g. marked trees, then only these
trees should be counted. Note that accurate use of a relascope requires practice.

If the sampling point is on sloping ground, multiply the count by the correction factor
to the angle of the slope, as given in Table 8.

Work out the average count, and multiply this by the relascope factor. The result is the
estimated average basal area per hectare of the stand.

In stands with a regular pattern of variation, notably line mixtures, the sample points
should not be chosen at random, but chosen so that they give equal weighting to
each component. For example, in 3-row broadleaf : 3-row conifer mixtures, all the

23
thinning control

sample points should be midway between a row of conifers and a row of broadleaves.
In more complex line mixtures it is advisable to place equal numbers of sample points
between each pair of lines.

Table 8  Correction factors for sloping ground.

Angle of slope Correction factor % slope
(degrees) (secant) (tangent x 100)
5 1.004 8.8
7.5 1.009 13
10 1.015 18
12.5 1.024 22
15 1.035 27
17.5 1.049 32
20 1.064 36
22.5 1.082 41
25 1.10 47
30 1.15 58
35 1.22 70
40 1.31
45 1.41 100
50 1.56
55 1.74
60 2.00 173

Using sample plots

Choose a plot size which includes 7–20 measurable trees. use rectangular plots where
the planting rows are still clearly visible, and circular plots in all other stands. Tables 9
and 10 give the dimensions of a range of plots.

24
 Field procedures

Table 9  Circular and square plot sizes.

Shape Length in metres to give plot area (ha)
0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.20 0.50 1.00
Circular (radius) 4.0 5.6 8.0 12.6 17.8 25.2 39.9 56.4
Square (sides) 7.1 10.0 14.1 22.4 31.6 44.7 70.7 100.0

Table 10  Rectangular plot sizes in plantations where rows are clearly visible.
Average 3 rows wide 4 rows 6 rows 9 rows
spacing wide wide wide
between
Distance in metres along the row to give plot area (ha)
rows (m)
0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.10
1.5 11.1 22.2 33.3 55.6 74.1
1.6 10.4 20.8 31.2 52.1 69.4
1.7 9.8 19.6 29.4 49.0 65.4
1.8 9.3 18.5 27.8 46.3 61.7
1.9 8.8 17.5 26.3 43.9 58.5
2.0 8.3 16.7 25.0 41.7 55.6
2.1 7.9 15.9 23.8 39.7 52.9
2.2 7.6 15.2 22.7 37.9 50.5
2.3 7.2 14.5 21.7 36.2 48.3
2.4 6.9 13.9 20.8 34.7 46.3
2.5 6.7 13.3 20.0 33.3 44.4
2.6 6.4 12.8 19.2 32.1 42.7
2.7 6.2 12.3 18.5 30.9 41.2
2.8 6.0 11.9 17.9 29.8 39.7
2.9 5.7 11.5 17.2 28.7 38.3
Note: Doubling the number of rows doubles the plot area, and similarly halving the distance
halves the plot area.

Lay out plots throughout the stand. Table 11 gives a guide to the number needed.
Plots should be laid out with care. The centre point of each circular plot must be
chosen at random. The location of rectangular plots must also be chosen at random,
but two of the sides of each plot must be parallel to the rows, and both must be

25
thinning control

midway between two adjacent rows. The boundary of each plot must be at least 5 m
from the edge of the stand. Where stands have been chosen subject to line thinning
that has left large gaps in the canopy that will not close by the time of next thinning,
the felled lines should be regarded as open ground and should not form part of a
plot. However, plot boundaries can be less than 5 m from felled lines within the stand.

The dimensions of the plots should be measured horizontally. If this is not possible on
sloping ground, multiply the dimension given in Table 9 or 10 by the correction factor
from Table 8. Use this corrected dimension for measuring directly up or down the slope.

Table 11  Number of sample plots.

Area of stand (ha) Uniform crop Variable crop

0.5–2 6 8
2–10 8 12
Over 10 10 16

Measure the dbh of all the trees in the plot, and record the number of trees in each
dbh class of 7 cm or more.

Use Table 12 to find the basal area appropriate to each dbh class, and multiply by the
number of trees in each dbh class to give the total basal area in each class.

Add all these basal areas together and divide by the number of plots, to give an
average basal area per plot.

Divide the average basal area per plot by the individual plot area to give the
estimated average basal area per hectare of the stand.

Further information on basal areas is given in Forest Mensuration: a handbook for

practitioners (pages 39–46).

26
 Field procedures

Table 12  Basal areas.

DBH or diameter Basal area or DBH or diameter Basal area or
(cm) cross-sectional (cm) cross-sectional
area (m2) area (m2)
7 0.0038 34 0.091
8 0.0050 35 0.096
9 0.0064 36 0.102
10 0.0079 37 0.108
11 0.0095 38 0.113
12 0.0113 39 0.119
13 0.0133 40 0.126
14 0.0154 41 0.132
15 0.018 42 0.139
16 0.020 43 0.145
17 0.023 44 0.152
18 0.025 45 0.159
19 0.028 46 0.166
20 0.031 47 0.173
21 0.035 48 0.181
22 0.038 49 0.189
23 0.042 50 0.196
24 0.045 51 0.204
25 0.049 52 0.212
26 0.053 53 0.221
27 0.057 54 0.229
28 0.062 55 0.238
29 0.066 56 0.246
30 0.071 57 0.255
31 0.075 58 0.264
32 0.080 59 0.273
33 0.086 60 0.283

27
thinning control

Measuring the volume marked

Having chosen the thinning yield (see page 10), the marker should proceed to mark
the stand, and from time to time checks the yield of thinning marked, modifying the
marking as necessary. The check is essentially very simple.

To estimate the volume per hectare which is being marked it is necessary to take
sample measurements. This is achieved either by using a relascope to estimate basal
area which is converted to volume using an estimated form height, or by measuring
the basal area of thinnings which fall within sample plots of known area, and
converting to volume using an estimated tariff number. These two procedures are
described below:

Using a relascope

1. Estimate the top height of the stand (see page 22).

2. Estimate the form height of the stand using the top height to form height tables
on pages 31–33 (Table 13).

3. Select four random points in the marked area.

4. At each point, do a 360° sweep with the relascope, and record the number of
marked trees counted. Only trees with a dbh of at least 7cm should be counted.
If the point is on sloping ground, multiply the count by the secant of the angle of
slope, from Table 8 on page 24.

5. Work out the average count, and multiply this by the relascope factor. The result
is the average basal area marked per hectare.

6. Multiply by the form height to give the estimated volume marked per hectare.

Using sample plots

1. Estimate the top height of the stand (see page 22).

2. Estimate the tariff number of the stand using the top height/tariff number tables on
pages 34–35 (Table 14). Add 1 if a crown or systematic thinning has been marked.

3. Select two random plots of the same size which contain between 7–20 marked
trees (see page 25). Measure the dbh of all the marked trees of 7cm or more in
the plots, and calculate the mean dbh (see pages 29–30).

28
 Field procedures

4. Use the estimated tariff number and mean dbh to derive an estimate of mean
volume. This can be done in any one of three ways:

• Refer to the tariff tables in Forest Mensuration: a handbook for practitioners

(Table 46, pages 283–294).

• Refer to Equation 1 in Forest Mensuration: a handbook for practitioners

(Appendix 8, page 321). Note: the equation uses basal area rather than dbh.

• Refer to the tariff number alignment chart printed on the inside back cover
of this guide.

5. Work out the average number of marked trees in these two plots, and divide
by the plot area to give the estimated number of marked trees per hectare.

6. Multiply the mean volume by the number of marked trees per hectare to give
the estimated volume marked per hectare.

 the stand is being line thinned, it may be simpler to estimate the volume per
If
hectare of the stand before thinning, and to calculate the volume removed as a
percentage of that volume. The volume per hectare should be estimated using either
of the above procedures, but measuring all trees in the plots instead of only the
marked trees. For example, if one row in four is being removed, and the volume
before thinning is 128 m3 per hectare, the thinning yield will be:

128
= 32 m3 per hectare
4

The ultimate objective is for the marker to be able to mark the correct thinning yield
without needing to use the above procedures, except when a new crop type is
encountered. Even so, it is recommended that occasional checks should be made to
confirm the accuracy of marking. If checks show that the thinning yield has not been
marked correctly, it is usually simpler to correct the over- or under-stocking at the
next thinning than to mark the stand again.

Calculating mean diameter

The mean diameter of a stand or of a group of trees is the diameter of the tree of
mean basal area, which is the same as the quadratic mean of the dbhs of all the trees.
Unmeasurable trees are normally excluded from this calculation, but if they are
included this should be clearly stated.

29
thinning control

Using a table of basal areas (Table 12)

1. Convert each dbh into a basal area.

2. Add all the basal areas together.

3. Divide by the number of trees, to give the mean basal area.

4. Convert this to the mean dbh.

Using a calculator or computer

1. Square each dbh.

2. Add all the squared values together.

3. Divide by the number of trees, to give the mean squared dbh.

4. Calculate the square root of this value to give the mean dbh.

30
 Field procedures

Table 13  Thinning form height (m) based on top height.

Top Species
height
(m) SP CP LP SS NS EL JL/HL
8.0 2.26 2.52 2.72 2.83 2.52 1.70 2.35
8.5 2.50 2.77 2.94 3.04 2.74 1.97 2.63
9.0 2.75 3.03 3.17 3.26 2.97 2.25 2.91
9.5 2.99 3.28 3.40 3.48 3.19 2.52 3.19
10.0 3.23 3.53 3.63 3.69 3.42 2.79 3.47
10.5 3.47 3.78 3.85 3.91 3.64 3.07 3.75
11.0 3.71 4.03 4.08 4.13 3.87 3.34 4.03
11.5 3.95 4.28 4.31 4.34 4.09 3.61 4.31
12.0 4.19 4.54 4.53 4.56 4.32 3.89 4.59
12.5 4.43 4.79 4.76 4.78 4.54 4.16 4.87
13.0 4.67 5.04 4.99 5.00 4.77 4.43 5.15
13.5 4.91 5.29 5.21 5.21 5.00 4.70 5.43
14.0 5.15 5.54 5.44 5.43 5.22 4.98 5.71
14.5 5.40 5.80 5.67 5.65 5.45 5.25 5.99
15.0 5.64 6.05 5.89 5.86 5.67 5.52 6.27
15.5 5.88 6.30 6.12 6.08 5.90 5.80 6.55
16.0 6.12 6.55 6.35 6.30 6.12 6.07 6.83
16.5 6.36 6.80 6.57 6.52 6.35 6.34 7.11
17.0 6.60 7.05 6.80 6.73 6.57 6.62 7.39
17.5 6.84 7.31 7.03 6.95 6.80 6.89 7.67
18.0 7.08 7.56 7.26 7.17 7.02 7.16 7.95
18.5 7.32 7.81 7.48 7.38 7.25 7.44 8.23
19.0 7.56 8.06 7.71 7.60 7.48 7.71 8.52
19.5 7.80 8.31 7.94 7.82 7.70 7.98 8.80
20.0 8.05 8.57 8.16 8.03 7.93 8.26 9.08
20.5 8.29 8.82 8.39 8.25 8.15 8.53 9.36
21.0 8.53 9.07 8.62 8.47 8.38 8.80 9.64
21.5 8.77 9.32 8.84 8.69 8.60 9.08 9.92
22.0 9.01 9.57 9.07 8.90 8.83 9.35 10.20
22.5 9.25 9.83 9.30 9.12 9.05 9.62 10.48
23.0 9.49 10.08 9.52 9.34 9.28 9.89 10.76
23.5 9.73 10.33 9.75 9.55 9.50 10.17 11.04
24.0 9.97 10.58 9.98 9.77 9.73 10.44 11.32
24.5 10.21 10.83 10.20 9.99 9.96 10.71 11.60
25.0 10.45 11.08 10.43 10.21 10.18 10.99 11.88

31
thinning control

Table 13  Thinning form height (m) based on top height (continued).
Top Species
height
(m) DF WH RC LC GF NF OMS
8.0 2.22 2.90 2.35 1.47 2.21 3.16 2.78
8.5 2.43 3.13 2.56 1.90 2.46 3.37 3.07
9.0 2.64 3.36 2.77 2.34 2.70 3.58 3.36
9.5 2.85 3.59 2.97 2.76 2.95 3.79 3.65
10.0 3.06 3.82 3.18 3.18 3.20 4.00 3.94
10.5 3.28 4.06 3.39 3.60 3.44 4.21 4.23
11.0 3.49 4.29 3.59 4.01 3.69 4.42 4.52
11.5 3.70 4.52 3.80 4.41 3.94 4.63 4.81
12.0 3.91 4.75 4.01 4.81 4.18 4.84 5.10
12.5 4.12 4.99 4.21 5.20 4.43 5.04 5.39
13.0 4.33 5.22 4.42 5.59 4.67 5.25 5.68
13.5 4.54 5.45 4.63 5.97 4.92 5.46 5.97
14.0 4.75 5.68 4.83 6.34 5.17 5.67 6.26
14.5 4.96 5.91 5.04 6.71 5.41 5.88 6.55
15.0 5.18 6.15 5.25 7.08 5.66 6.09 6.84
15.5 5.39 6.38 5.45 7.43 5.91 6.30 7.13
16.0 5.60 6.61 5.66 7.79 6.15 6.51 7.42
16.5 5.81 6.84 5.87 8.13 6.40 6.72 7.71
17.0 6.02 7.07 6.07 8.47 6.65 6.93 8.00
17.5 6.23 7.31 6.28 8.81 6.89 7.14 8.29
18.0 6.44 7.54 6.49 9.14 7.14 7.35 8.58
18.5 6.65 7.77 6.69 9.46 7.38 7.55 8.87
19.0 6.86 8.00 6.90 9.78 7.63 7.76 9.16
19.5 7.07 8.24 7.11 10.09 7.88 7.97 9.45
20.0 7.29 8.47 7.31 10.40 8.12 8.18 9.74
20.5 7.50 8.70 7.52 10.70 8.37 8.39 10.03
21.0 7.71 8.93 7.73 10.99 8.62 8.60 10.32
21.5 7.92 9.16 7.93 11.28 8.86 8.81 10.61
22.0 8.13 9.40 8.14 11.56 9.11 9.02 10.90
22.5 8.34 9.63 8.35 11.84 9.36 9.23 11.19
23.0 8.55 9.86 8.55 12.11 9.60 9.44 11.48
23.5 8.76 10.09 8.76 12.38 9.85 9.65 11.77
24.0 8.97 10.33 8.97 12.64 10.10 9.85 12.06
24.5 9.19 10.56 9.17 12.89 10.34 10.06 12.35
25.0 9.40 10.79 9.38 13.14 10.59 10.27 12.64

32
 Field procedures

Table 13  Thinning form height (m) based on top height (continued).
Top Species
height
(m) Oak Beech and Sycamore, ash, birch
sweet chestnut and alder
8.0 1.00 1.04 0.50
8.5 1.28 1.36 0.85
9.0 1.56 1.72 1.24
9.5 1.85 2.05 1.63
10.0 2.13 2.40 2.00
10.5 2.41 2.70 2.38
11.0 2.70 3.00 2.76
11.5 3.00 3.26 3.13
12.0 3.28 3.52 3.50
12.5 3.55 3.78 3.83
13.0 3.84 4.04 4.16
13.5 4.12 4.30 4.48
14.0 4.41 4.56 4.80
14.5 4.70 4.82 5.10
15.0 4.98 5.08 5.40
15.5 5.26 5.31 5.69
16.0 5.53 5.54 5.98
16.5 5.86 5.82 6.26
17.0 6.19 6.02 6.50
17.5 6.50 6.26 6.75
18.0 6.82 6.50 7.00
18.5 7.13 6.75 7.24
19.0 7.44 7.00 7.48
19.5 7.76 7.21 7.69
20.0 8.07 7.42 7.90
20.5 8.37 7.65 8.12
21.0 8.67 7.88 8.34
21.5 8.94 8.09 8.53
22.0 9.21 8.30 8.72
22.5 9.47 8.52 8.94
23.0 9.73 8.74 9.17
23.5 9.96 8.95 9.33
24.0 10.19 9.16 9.49
24.5 10.42 9.37 9.64
25.0 10.65 9.58 9.79

33
thinning control

Table 14  Tariff numbers based on top height.

Top Species
height
(m) SP CP LP SS NS EL JL/HL
8.0 16 15 14 15 15 13 15
8.5 16 15 15 15 16 14 15
9.0 17 16 15 16 17 14 16
9.5 17 17 16 17 17 15 17
10.0 18 17 17 17 18 16 17
10.5 18 18 18 18 18 17 18
11.0 19 19 18 18 19 17 19
11.5 19 19 19 19 19 18 19
12.0 20 20 20 20 20 19 20
12.5 20 21 20 20 21 19 21
13.0 21 22 21 21 21 20 21
13.5 21 22 22 22 22 21 22
14.0 22 23 23 22 22 21 23
14.5 23 24 23 23 23 22 23
15.0 23 24 24 23 23 23 24
15.5 24 25 25 24 24 24 25
16.0 24 26 25 25 25 24 25
16.5 25 26 26 25 25 25 26
17.0 25 27 27 26 26 26 27
17.5 26 28 27 26 26 26 28
18.0 26 29 28 27 27 27 28
18.5 27 29 29 28 28 28 29
19.0 27 30 30 28 28 28 30
19.5 28 31 30 29 29 29 30
20.0 28 31 31 29 29 30 31
20.5 29 32 32 30 30 30 32
21.0 29 33 32 31 30 31 32
21.5 30 33 33 31 31 32 33
22.0 30 34 34 32 32 33 34
22.5 31 35 35 32 32 33 34
23.0 31 36 35 33 33 34 35
23.5 32 36 36 34 33 35 36
24.0 32 37 37 34 34 35 36
24.5 33 38 37 35 34 36 37
25.0 33 38 38 35 35 37 38
Add 1 to the tariff number for crown or systematic thinning

34
 Field procedures

Table 14  Tariff numbers based on top height (continued).

Top Species
height DF WH RC GF NF Oak, beech, ash Birch, sycamore
(m) elm, alder and and poplar
sweet chestnut
8.0 14 16 13 13 13 15 13
8.5 15 16 13 14 14 16 13
9.0 15 17 14 15 15 16 14
9.5 16 18 14 15 15 17 14
10.0 16 18 15 16 16 17 15
10.5 17 19 15 17 17 18 15
11.0 17 19 16 17 17 18 16
11.5 18 20 16 18 18 19 16
12.0 19 21 17 19 19 19 16
12.5 19 21 17 19 20 20 17
13.0 20 22 18 20 20 20 17
13.5 20 23 18 21 21 21 18
14.0 21 23 19 22 22 21 18
14.5 21 24 20 22 22 22 19
15.0 22 24 20 23 23 22 19
15.5 23 25 21 24 24 23 20
16.0 23 26 21 24 24 23 20
16.5 24 26 22 25 25 24 21
17.0 24 27 22 26 26 24 21
17.5 25 27 23 26 26 24 21
18.0 25 28 23 27 27 25 22
18.5 26 29 24 28 28 25 22
19.0 27 29 24 28 28 26 23
19.5 27 30 25 29 29 26 23
20.0 28 30 25 30 30 27 24
20.5 28 31 26 30 30 27 24
21.0 29 32 26 31 31 27 24
21.5 29 32 27 32 32 28 25
22.0 30 33 28 33 32 28 25
22.5 30 34 28 33 33 29 26
23.0 31 34 29 34 34 29 26
23.5 32 35 29 35 34 29 26
24.0 32 35 30 35 35 30 27
24.5 33 36 30 36 36 30 27
25.0 33 37 31 37 36 30 27
Add 1 to the tariff number for crown or systematic thinning

35
thinning control

36
 General yield class curves

General yield class curves

thinning control

38
 general Yield class curves

Scots pine
35

Age of maximum 14
mean annual
volume increment
30 12

10

25 8

20
Top height (metres)

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

39
 thinning control

Corsican pine
40

20

18
35
16
Age of maximum
mean annual
volume increment 14
30
12

10
25

8
Top height (metres)

20 6

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

40
 general Yield class curves

Lodgepole pine
50

45
14

40 12

10
35

Age of maximum
mean annual
volume increment 8
30
Top height (metres)

6
25

4
20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

41
 thinning control

Sitka spruce
50

45 24

22

20
40
18
Age of maximum
16
mean annual
35
volume increment
14

12
30
Top height (metres)

10

25 8

6
20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

42
 general Yield class curves

Norway spruce
45
22

20
40
18

Age of maximum 16
mean annual
35 volume increment
14

12
30
10
Top height (metres)

8
25

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

43
 thinning control

European larch
35

12

30 10
Age of maximum
mean annual
volume increment
8

25

20
Top height (metres)

15

10

00 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Age (years)

44
 general Yield class curves

Japanese and hybrid larch

40

14
35

12

30 10

Age of maximum
mean annual
8
volume increment
25
Top height (metres)

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

45
 thinning control

Douglas fir
50

45 24
Age of maximum 22
mean annual 20
volume increment
40 18

16

14
35
12

10
30
Top height (metres)

25

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

46
 general Yield class curves

Western hemlock
50

45 24

22

40 20

Age of maximum 18
mean annual
volume increment 16
35
14

12
30
Top height (metres)

25

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Age (years)

47
 thinning control

Western red cedar and Lawson cypress

45

24
40
22

20

35 18

16
Age of maximum
mean annual
volume increment 14
30
12
Top height (metres)

25

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

48
 general Yield class curves

Grand fir
50

30
28
45
Age of maximum 26
mean annual
volume increment 24

40 22

20

18
35
16

14
30
12
Top height (metres)

25

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

49
 thinning control

Noble fir
45

40 22

20

Age of maximum 18
35
mean annual
volume increment 16

14
30
12

10
Top height (metres)

25

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

50
 general Yield class curves

Oak
40

35

Age of maximum
30 mean annual
volume increment

25
Top height (metres)

4
20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150
Age (years)

51
 thinning control

Beech
40

Age of maximum
mean annual 10
volume increment
35

30

25
Top height (metres)

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150
Age (years)

52
 general Yield class curves

Sycamore, ash and birch

30

12
Age of maximum
25 mean annual
volume increment 10

6
20

4
Top height (metres)

15

10

00 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Age (years)

53
 thinning control

Poplar
45

14

12
40

10

35 8

6
30

4
Top height (metres)

25

20 Age of maximum
mean annual
volume increment

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

54
 general Yield class curves

Nothofagus
45

40
18

16

14
35

12

30 10
Top height (metres)

25

20

Age of maximum
mean annual
15 volume increment

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Age (years)

55
thinning control

Further reading and useful sources of information

Forestry Commission publications on forest mensuration, growth and yield include:

• Forest Mensuration: a handbook for practitioners

An essential, practice-based handbook designed to help all those working in the
timber trade and forestry understand how to measure trees and timber.

Field Guides

• Timber measurement
A concise guide emphasising the Information needed for field assessments
of standing and felled timber.

• Classification and presentation of softwood sawlogs

A guide to classifying softwood sawlogs into qualitative categories for sale purposes.

• Roundwood and sawlog volume tables

A concise guide to the mid and top diameter methods of estimating the volume
of felled timber, including volume tables based on length and mid or top diameter
measurements.

Software

Forestry Commission software for modelling forest growth and yield includes:

• Forest Yield: a PC-based yield model for forest management in Britain.

Forest Yield contains all of the yield tables previously published in Forestry
Commission Booklet 48 Yield models for forest management.

56
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