UNIT 3.

Conversion

ADVANCED SILVICULTURE (SFB 557)

BSc 3rd Year 2nd Semester

IoF Hetauda, 2079

 UNIT 3. Conversion

3.1 Objective of conversion

3.2 Techniques of conversion

3.3 Examples of conversion

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 Conversion

It is defined as a change from one silvicultural system

or one (set of) species to another.

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 Conversion
Conversion is not a Silvicultural system due to the following reasons:
• It has no distinct and permanent characteristics of its own in respect of mode
of regeneration, pattern of felling and character of the new crop.

• Conversion from one system to another takes place longer time and applied
only in the part of the crop.

• True Silvicultural system is applied to a forest continuously at least for several

rotations in succession whereas conversion is applied for the transformation of
crop like surgical operation to improve health.
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 Conversion
Conversion involves following by which crops are regenerated

and replaced by new crops of distinctive forms:

• Change in crop composition

• Change in silvicultural system

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 Conversion: Change in crop composition
This is done for the following reason:

1. Increasing yield from forests – Natural forests may not be best in respect of
usefulness, rate of growth and total yield per unit area. Therefore, it is necessary to
raise fast growing species, valuable species to meet the requirements of growing
population. When the new species is introduced, it results in a change in crop
composition.

2. To meet the demand of industry – The demand of industry is increasing day by day.
Therefore, it is necessary to raise the species meet the requirements of industry and if
the local forests do not have those species, new suitable species are introduced.

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 Conversion: Change in silvicultural system
This is done for the following reason:
1. Advantage of particular system –When a particular Silvicultural system is known to offer
greater advantages in terms of higher yield, simplicity of working, concentration of work and
improvement of the growing stock, it is usually adopted.
2. Failure of an existing system – When a Silvicultural system applied to a species fails to
regenerate, it has to be changed.
3. Advances in Silvicultural knowledge and perfection of regeneration technique – With
continued research over a century, a lot of knowledge about the silviculture of species has
been collected and, in some cases, the technique of regeneration of species by natural and/or
artificial means has been perfected.
4. Development of communications and increase in market demand – In the olden days, when
communications were poorly developed and the market demand was low, the forests were
usually worked under selective or at best, selection-cum-improvement felling. Due to
communication and increase in market demand for small timber old systems are gradually
replaced by system of concentrated regeneration. 7
 3.1 Objective of conversion
a. Change in mode of regeneration – When a system based on
regeneration from seed is changed to coppice or vice versa, the
changes are referred as conversion from high forest to coppice and
coppice to high forest respectively.

b. Changes in the character of crop without change in mode of

regeneration – Sometimes high forest system is changed to another
high forest system. Thus without change in the mode of regeneration,
character of the crop is changed.
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 3.2 Technique of Conversion
• When a change in Silvicultural system is desired the entire area in which the change of

system is considered, is not subjected to conversion at a time.

• Only a part of the forest is taken up for the work during the working plan period and

the rest of the area continues to be worked under the old system.

• For example, if an irregular forest previously worked under selection is to be subjected

to conversion to uniform by clear-feeling followed by artificial regeneration, only some

area is taken up for clear-felling followed by planting during the working plan period;

and the rest is worked under selection system till then.

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 3.2 Technique of Conversion
• Pace or speed of Conversion - When the conversion period is short,
the conversion proceeds with a fast pace or speed; on the other hand,
if it is long, the conversion is slow.

• The following considerations affect the decision about the length of

conversion period:
1. Sacrifice of immature crop

2. Proportion of the over mature growing stock with negative increment

3. Hiatus (gap) between the age of first converted crop and the exploitable age
at the end of conversion period
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 3.2 Technique of Conversion
Factors affecting the decision about the length of conversion period:
1. Sacrifice of immature crop – Conversion often involves sacrifice of immature crops, particularly when the
conversion is from selection system to uniform system. The sacrifice is greater when the conversion period is
shorter and lesser when it is longer. Therefore the extent of sacrifice has to be kept in mind at the time of
deciding the length of conversion period.
2. Proportion of the over mature growing stock with negative increment – If the crop to be converted has a
preponderance of over mature growing stock with negative increment the conversion period has to be kept short
to prevent losses due to deterioration of the over mature trees. But if the over mature trees are not in a high
proportion, a longer conversion period can be adopted.
3. Hiatus (gap) between the age of first converted crop and the exploitable age at the end of conversion period –
Length of conversion period should also take into account the age of first converted crop at the end of
conversion period and compare it with exploitable age. If the length of conversion period is less than the
exploitable age, there will be a hiatus (gap) at the end of conversion felling. Thus the shorter the conversion
period, the greater the hiatus. 11
 3.3 Examples of Conversion
I. Conversion to uniform – it refers to conversion of irregular forests worked under selection system as
regular forests to be worked under uniform system. Typical examples are found in North Betul division
for teak and South Raipur division for sal in M.P.

II. Conversion to relatively less irregular crop – When regeneration can not be assured over the entire
area in a short period, young poles are retained to complete the regeneration in a reasonably short
period. Typical examples are found in parts of South Raipur division in M.P. sal and devdar forests in
U.P and H.P.

III. Conversion from coppice with standard (CWS) to coppice with reserve system (CWR) – It is applied in
dry deciduous forests due to deficiency in coppice with standard system.

IV. Conversion of coppice and CWS to high forest – It is practiced in Europe and form of conversion can be
classified into two main categories: i) Conversion by natural regeneration &
ii) Conversion by artificial regeneration 12
 3.3 Examples of Conversion
i) Conversion by natural regeneration - Common forms of this category are following:
a. Conversion of CWS to uniform broad-leaved high forest – It is applied in Oak forest which
involves heavy conversion thinning in the coppice crop to reduce the number of shoots to
one per stool and removal of physically over mature trees.

b. Conversion of CWS to irregular broad leaved high forest by selection - At each felling, dead,
dying, badly shaped and undesirable stems are removed, the standard are opened out and
coppice thinned to help existing seedlings and to provide enough light for natural
regeneration.

c. Conversion of CWS to coniferous high forest –If broad leaved forests worked under CWS are
invaded by natural seedlings of conifers, such forests are gradually converted by carrying out
cleanings in favor of fir. 13
 3.3 Examples of Conversion
ii) Conversion by artificial regeneration – It is carried out to change the
species from broad-leaved to conifers and achieved by the following method:
a. Artificial conversion by clear felling – This involves complete clear felling of the
coppice crop followed by artificial regeneration.

b. Artificial conversion under a shelter wood – This method is applied for sensitive
shade bearer like silver fir. Crop is opened up for seedling felling and in gaps
shade bearer species are planted.

c. Artificial conversion by groups – Felling is done in groups by removing

standards and thinning coppice and moderately shade bearer species are
introduced in gaps. 14
 End of Unit 3.
Conversion

ADVANCED SILVICULTURE (SFB 557)

BSc 3rd Year 2nd Semester

IoF Hetauda, 2079

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