B.C. Ministry of Forests Forest Science Program
		Abstract for Working Paper 25

Abstract

Several existing unmanaged stands in the Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH) zone of the Nelson Forest Region are two- or multi-storied, with the lower storey consisting of advance western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn). A common managerial question is whether to harvest the overstorey and retain the understorey to develop into the next crop, or part of the next crop, or to clearcut, prepare, and plant the site. There is growing interest in using understorey western redcedar and other species of advance regeneration for crop trees, as several advantages can be realized. Site preparation and planting costs can be reduced or eliminated, post-harvest brush problems can be reduced by keeping the site occupied, trees are naturally adapted to the site, and advance regeneration can also give a head start on the next rotation. Opinions of foresters working in the ICH zone vary as to whether advance cedar, and advance regeneration in general, is a viable option for future crop trees. It is uncertain whether it will release and become a crop tree with good form. The results of this retrospective investigation indicate that advance cedar has good potential for release in the ICHwk1, ICHmw2, and ICHmw1 subzones.

Previously published in 1995 as Nelson Forest Region Technical Report TR - 011.

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