How do I tree culture a thick forest section to ensure that trees left standing benifit most?

Question

I have a section of trees (about an acre or more) that are very thick, to the point that as a whole they are all suffering. Keeping in mind I am very environment friendly and hate the idea of even cutting down a tree I want to make sure that cutting some will benefit others.

I guess the question is... should I cut down some to thin the forest and how do i decide which ones to cut?

I have a section of trees (about an acre or more) that are very thick, to the point that as a whole they are all suffering. Keeping in mind I am very environment friendly and hate the idea of even cutting down a tree I want to make sure that cutting some will benefit others.

The trees are mostly pines, currently they are pretty much bare 2/3 the way up (some are 30' by guess). Should I cut the big ones (which can be used for firewood) to let the smaller ones grow in full? Or should I cut the smaller ones to let the big ones get bigger?

I guess the question is... should I cut down some to thin the forest and how do i decide which ones to cut?

Answer 1

yes you will need to thin them.pick out the small.forked,or weak looking trees.if you can cut paths through it so if you do have a fire the fire fighters can get in there to put it out..

Answer 2

That's hard. You didn't say what kind of trees you had. I would start with the smallest trees and brush then thin out the sick trees leaving the largest. It is wise to manage wooded areas though, it prevents choking underbrush that causes forest fires. Good luck.