Appendix 2.

ISIS/MLSIS decision sequence for silvicultural system classification

Is the intent to maintain one or two distinct well-represented age classes?
Yes – go to even-aged systems
No – go to uneven-aged systems

Even-aged systems

Is the intent to leave trees on the block to provide seed or shelter for the new crop?
No

Is the cutblock greater than 1 ha and greater than two tree-lengths wide?

Yes – the system is: Clearcut (CLEARCT)

Is the cutblock less than 1 hectare in size?

Yes – the system is: Patch cut (PATCHCT)

Is the intent to leave trees on the block at the establishment cut phase, for seed but not
for shelter, for new regeneration?

Yes – the system is: Seed tree (SEEDTR)
No

Is the intent to leave trees on the block at the establishment cut phase, for both shelter and
possibly seed, for establishment of new regeneration?

Yes – the system is: Shelterwood (SHELTER)

Is the intent to achieve regeneration through vegetative suckering or sprouting?

Yes – the system is: Coppice (COPPICE)

Other even-aged treatments

Is the intent to commercially thin or harvest poles (e.g., cedar)?
Yes – the “system” (for administrative purposes) is: Intermediate cut (IMCUT)

Uneven-aged systems

Is the intent to create a management unit that will have three or more age classes?
Yes – the system is: Selection (SELECT)

Note: If trees are left for objectives other than regeneration, the system will be classified with


the modifier “with reserves.” For identification of more complex variants of these major
silvicultural systems, refer to theConcepts and Terminology section of this guidebook.