Partial harvesting in unmanaged boreal forests can help maintain biodiversity and timber production balance. A study on black spruce stands found that factors like initial stand structure and site characteristics influence stand development after harvesting. Depending on these factors, partial harvesting can either increase tree recruitment and growth or lead to stand volume loss due to tree mortality. Sites prone to organic matter accumulation should be left unharvested to maximize post-harvest stand yield. Understanding pre-existing conditions is crucial for successful partial harvesting in black spruce forests.