Scenic Impacts of Retention Trees in Clear-cutting Areas

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the ways in which the volume, physical appearance and location of retention trees affect the scenic quality of clear-cutting areas. A total of 373 respondents rated 40 digitally edited images. If only a few retention trees remained in the cutting area, they did not seem to affect the ratings, but when 3 m³ ha⁻¹ was retained the scenic quality of the clear-cutting area improved. The better the condition of the retention trees, the more they were appreciated. Retention trees in a poor condition did not enhance the scenic quality of clear-cutting areas. Mature retention trees were found to be more attractive than undergrowth. Even undergrowth was preferred to clear-cutting areas without any trees. Respondents also preferred retention trees standing alone to trees in groups. Forest owners provided higher overall preference scores than visitors. The scenic quality of clear-cutting areas can be substantially improved if there remains an adequate volume of mature retention trees that are in good condition.

Keywords:

• Forest regeneration
• forest visualization
• landscape management
• scenic beauty

Acknowledgments

Metsähallitus (Forest and Park Service) and Stora Enso Oyj kindly provided help with study arrangements. Tuomo Härkönen M.Sc. prepared the images. Dr Risto Häkkinen and Dr Hannu Rita gave valuable advice on statistics. Dr Liisa Tyrväinen participated in the study in the planning phase. Tuija Sievänen M.Sc., Leena Hamberg M.Sc., Paula Horne M.Sc. and Dr Ashley Selby read and commented on the manuscript. Forest engineers Juhani Mäkinen, Hannu Rantanen and Jaakko Rokkonen evaluated the volumes of retention trees.