Thinning Eucalyptus Forests Boosts Timber Production and Tree Growth.
A study in Tasmania looked at how thinning Eucalyptus regnans trees affects their growth. They thinned some trees by different amounts and compared them to unthinned trees. They found that moderate thinning led to the best results, with increased tree sizes and more usable wood. Heavy thinning resulted in lower tree density but also more sawlog volume. Light thinning caught up to unthinned plots in about 20 years. Overall, moderate thinning seemed to be the most beneficial option for the long-term health and productivity of the forest.