Unmarked pine thinnings—a commercial option

Summary

Reasons for thinning in Pinus radiata and the introduction of third-row-outrow first thinning into APM Forests Gippsland plantations are discussed. The derivation of systems to enable later, unmarked selection thinning is described. The difference in systems used for motor manual and mechanised thinnings and the reasons for the difference is explained. Cost savings through not marking are estimated. The contribution of tree breeding towards making unmarked thinnnings practical is acknowledged.