Selection

Uneven-aged stand structure of three or more ages is maintained through the selection regeneration method. Mature trees, either as single trees or as small groups, are removed when they attain a specified size. Advanced regeneration is thereby released to grow into the canopy gap created by the mature tree removal. Depending upon the size of the canopy gap, one or several of the many thousands of seedlings will eventually develop into mature trees. The stand will need to be visited often to tend the developing trees, providing stocking density control and striving to maintain the highest-quality individuals.

Stands must have three distinct age classes, and most will have more, since a new age class is released or created with each stand entry. It is not possible to regenerate and maintain an even-aged stand with the selection regeneration method.