STEMS > Silvicultural Systems > Dispersed Retention

Dispersed Retention

The dispersed retention system retains individual trees within the cutblock for the purpose of maintaining or protecting environmental values and structural diversity during at least one rotation. More than half the total area of the cutblock is within one tree-height from the base of a tree or the cutblock boundary. This study will examine windthrow and the spread of root disease from residual to regenerating trees, which are potential problems with this treatment.

For photos of dispersed retention see Tour Stop 10.

Silvicultural Systems:

1. Patch Cut
2. Extended Rotation
3. Group Selection
4. Clearcut with Reserves
5. Dispersed Retention
6. Extended Rotation with Commercial Thinning
7. Aggregate Retention

Immediately after the first entry

A view of the dispersed retention treatment immediately after harvest and five years later.

Summary Description of Key Features

Silvicultural System: Dispersed Retention
Treatment Unit Size: 18.2 ha
Opening Size: 18.2 ha
Deferred Areas: none
Retention Structures Objective: 40 trees dispersed per ha and 6 ha of adjacent wildlife tree patches
Age Structure: Two-aged