2. What is a Silvicultural
system?
 A silvicultural system is the process of
tending, harvesting and regenerating a
forest.
 Different objectives in forest management
(e.g. conservation in an ancient semi-natural
woodland vs. production of timber from a
conifer plantation) are likely to lead to the
adoption of different silvicultural systems.

3. SYSTEMS
 Generally divide into 2 main groups
 HIGH FOREST SYSTEMS
 COPPPICE SYSTEMS

4. CLASSIFYING SYSTEMS
• There are many different types
of silvicultural systems
• A broad classification can be
made based on the pattern of
regeneration and how the tree
canopy is removed.

5.  Generally forests managed using clear felling
and shelterwood systems tend to be even-
aged (only possess one or two canopy strata)
and those managed using selection systems
are uneven-aged (have three or more canopy
strata).

6. Silvicultural systems
Uniform opening of the canopy for
regeneration purposes
Opening up of groups of advance
regeneration – comparitively short regen
period
Opening up of crop in narrow coupes
‘Rolling system’
Complete removal of trees and artificial
regeneration.
Clearfelling
Uniform shelterwood system
Strip shelterwood

7. COPPICE SYSTEMS
 Coppice
 Coppice with standards

10. HIGH FOREST SYSTEMS
 CLEAR CUT SYSTEMS - old crop felled in
single felling Usually artificial regeneration
 Crop felled in 2 or more regeneration fellings
SHELTERWOOD SYSTEMS
SELECTION SYSTEMS

11. CLEAR CUT

12. Shelterwood systems

13. Uniform shelterwood system

14. Shelterwood systems
 Uniform
 Group
 Irregular
 Strip