Thinning Eucalyptus nitens plantations can improve tree growth and log sizes. Removing more trees leads to better growth in the remaining ones, especially dominant and co-dominant trees. Thinning early benefits less productive plantations, with an ideal final density of 200-300 trees per hectare. Thinning doesn't change the relationship between stem sapwood area and leaf area. After thinning, trees develop larger branches in the lower crown and increase leaf area on the northern side. Water use of trees increases post-thinning due to changes in sap flow. Stand-level water use can be predicted using a simple canopy size factor. Thinning also boosts photosynthetic capacity and alters foliar nitrogen distribution.