Forest Regeneration

• Forest regeneration is the act of renewing tree cover by

establishing young trees naturally or artificially-generally,
promptly after the previous stand or forest has been
removed.
• The method, species, and density are chosen to meet the
goal of the Forester.
• Forest regeneration includes practices such as changes in
tree plant density through human-assisted natural
regeneration, enrichment planting, reduced grazing of
forested savannas, and changes in tree
provenances/genetics or tree species.
• "Human-assisted natural regeneration" means
establishment of a forest age class from natural seeding or
sprouting after harvesting through selection cutting,
shelter (or seed-tree) harvest, soil preparation, or
restricting the size of a clear-cut stand to secure natural
regeneration from surrounding trees.
• "Enrichment planting" means increasing the planting
density (i.e., the numbers of plants per hectare) in an
already growing forest stand.
Natural Regeneration

Natural regeneration means that when an area of forest is cleared,

sprouts and seeds from surrounding trees are left behind to grow. 
Natural regeneration is planned if the law allows for the establishment
of productive stands of trees in cleared areas. 
Natural regeneration can be an effective means of regenerating the
forest when conditions are right. Although natural regeneration is
usually reliable and ensures that only the trees suited to the site (i.e.
the species already on the site) are established, the time delays in
achieving regeneration can be long. As well, the opportunities for
genetic enhancement are limited.

Some species can regenerate from suckers and shoots.

Steps

1. Selecting the seed trees. Before the site is logged, seed trees must
be selected and marked with paint. Selection means choosing the best-
looking trees for seed trees -- trees which are the straightest and tallest
and have large crowns and no disease

2. Planning for a good seed crop. The frequency of good seed crops
varies from year to year and species to species . To insure successful
natural regeneration, the site should be logged just prior to a good seed
crop.

3. Logging. The Forester should supervise the logging operation

especially to insure that the seed trees are not damaged by the logging.
Damaged trees may die or not produce a good seed crop.

4. Preparing the site. The site must be prepared to first incorporate

the forest litter (organic matter) and then expose mineral soil -- seeds
need soil to germinate and grow. Some site preparation options are to
burn, mechanically scarify, and/or spray with herbicides.
5. Logging the remaining trees. When an adequate seedling stand is
established and about 1-2 years old, the seed trees should be
harvested.
6. Controlling unwanted vegetation. Shrubs, small trees, and
herbaceous vegetation will compete with small seedlings for nutrients,
water, and sunlight causing mortality or slower growth. For the first few
years, the planting site should be observed to see if this unwanted
vegetation is affecting seedling growth and survival and measures
should be taken to control the weeds.

Advantages

• The initial costs of establishing a forest stand may be lower especially

if site preparation is not necessary.

• Less heavy equipment and labour is required.

• The seedling has a naturally shaped root system unlike seedlings

which have been grown in a nursery.

• For aesthetic reasons, the Forester may prefer to see a forest stand
which is unevenly and naturally spaced versus a stand which is in rows.

Disadvantages

A seed crop must be available and seed dispersal must be timed

correctly with site preparation so that a suitable seedbed is available
for the seed germination.

• Moisture in the soil is necessary for the seeds to germinate;

exceptionally dry years or sites may result in poor germination or
seedling mortality.

• Insects and other small seed-eating animals may consume all or most
of the seed.
• Competing vegetation may be a problem for survival and growth for a
longer time period than with planting because seedlings are smaller or
seed may not be disseminated in the first year.

Artificial Regeneration

• Artificial regeneration of the forest is based on planting of saplings

or seeds.  The genetic properties of each tree are coded in the
seed, and so artificial restoration is based exclusively on select
reproductive materials.  This promotes and ensures the desired
structure of species of tree in those areas where natural
regeneration is difficult or impossible.

• Planning of forest regeneration involves various types of

regeneration, various kinds of species of tree, and various
schedules of regeneration.  These plans are drawn up at the same
time as plans for the felling of the relevant stand of trees.

• Forest regeneration can, to a certain extent, be divided up among

the following types of forestry work:

– Preparing the soil (this is also done in areas where natural

generation with seeds from nearby trees is being planned);

– Planting saplings or seeds;

– Tending to the forest (preventing competition from grasses

and shrubs such as raspberry bushes, as well as from other
species of tree – mowing these around artificially or
naturally regenerated areas).
Direct Seeding

Direct seeding means that the forester applies seeds directly to the
land; these seeds then germinate and a forest stand results.

• A lot of the principles for site conditions and site preparation are
the same as with natural regeneration but, in addition, a known
amount of seed is used.

• Direct seeding is often employed on poor or inaccessible sites or

where little initial involvement is possible or desirable.

• Sites which are droughty or have high erosion potential.

Steps

1. Harvesting and preparing the site. First, the present stand must be
harvested and the site prepared to create a mineral soil seedbed.
Again, as in natural regeneration, the options for site preparation are
burning, mechanically scarifying, and/or spraying with herbicides

2. Obtaining seed. Seed with greater than 85% viability and with a
minimum of 95% sound seed should be used. After receiving seed, it
should be stored immediately in proper conditions.

3. Sowing rates. The amount of seed required will vary according to

species, method of sowing, degree of site preparation, and general ease
of regeneration of the site.

4. Treating seed. Seed is often treated with a repellent for seed-eating

insects, birds, and mammals which will otherwise consume the entire
seed crop. The most common repellent for birds is Thiram.
5. Date of sowing. Seedshould be sown when soil moisture is high from
rains

6. Methods of Sowing. There are many methods used to sow seed.

Large tracts of land (>500 acres) are often broadcast sown aerially by
Airplanes or helicopters. Two methods for small tracts of land include
hand-sowing and spot-seeding.

Where to direct seed

Direct seeding is often not successful on dry, upland sands or coarse

sandy soils where the soil dries out too rapidly and moisture is
unavailable for the seeds to germinate. On these sites, germination is
enhanced if the seed is covered with soil (about 1/2")

On poorly drained sites where seeds or seedlings may be flooded for

more than 1-2 weeks, direct seeding may not be successful.

Also, on sites where heavy grazing is present, survival may not be good
because animals will trample small seedlings.

On sloped sites, direct seeding followed by heavy rains may result in

seed being washed away

Advantages

• Compared to natural regeneration, direct seeding allows the

introduction of new species or seed sources.

• Compared to natural regeneration, direct seeding enables better

control over seed quantity, quality, and distribution over the site

• Direct seeding has a lower initial cost than planting (1/3 to 1/2 the
cost of planting).
• Direct seeding can be employed on sites with difficult access, or
sometimes poor drainage

• Direct seeding may be more flexible than planting-- for instance,

when a forest fire or other natural disaster occurs, it is often easier to
obtain seed rather than seedlings).

• Sometimes with improper planting, a "J" or "L“ shaped root system

will result on the planted seedling but with seeding a more natural,
undisturbed root system develops.

• For aesthetic reasons, some people might prefer seeing trees

randomly spaced on a site instead of in rows.

Disadvantages

• Because of bird and mammal problems, it is necessary to treat the

seed with repellents and these repellents may not be available.

• Sometimes site preparation is more necessary than with planting

because of the requirements for exposed mineral soil.

• Direct seeding requires more skill than planting to do it right; the

landowner is advised to seek help from a forester experienced in direct
seeding

• There are many sites where direct seeding is not suitable (see section
on where to direct seed).

• Relative to planting, there is less control over spacing and stocking;

thus, pre-commercial thinning may be necessary to reduce the number
of trees per acre and establish even spacing between trees.
• Because the forest stand is started with seed instead of one-year-old
seedlings, rotations may be at least one or more years longer because
of the loss in growth.

• Also, because the direct-seeded seedlings are one year younger, it

may be necessary to control competing vegetation for a longer period
of time to insure successful survival and growth.

• The irregularly spaced stands which often result from direct seeding
are not well suited for access by mechanical harvesting and fire
equipment.

Planting with seedlings

1. Species and stock selection.

2. Site preparation

3. Care and handling before planting

4. Care during and after planting

5. Spacing

6. Planting.

Advantages

• Successful survival is more likely with planting compared to natural

regeneration and direct seeding.

• An evenly spaced plantation is more likely to result from planting, and

therefore a plantation established from planted seedlings has better
growth and is easier for future harvesting operations.
• Planted seedlings will grow faster initially than seedlings from seed.
Thus, planted seedlings will more effectively compete with unwanted
grasses, herbs, and shrubs for moisture, nutrients, and light.

• With planting, wood yields are generally better than with seeded
stands and the length of the rotation is shorter (meaning an earlier
harvest).

Disadvantages

• Initial costs may be higher than for natural regeneration and direct
seeding.

• The planting site may be inaccessible to planting machines or crews.

• Distortions of the root system such as "L" or "J”shaped roots may

result if care is not taken.