A simulation-based approach to a near optimal thinning strategy : allowing for individual harvesting times for individual trees

As various methods for precision inventories, such as LiDAR, are becoming increasingly common in forestry, individual-tree level planning is becoming more viable. Here, we present a method for finding the optimal thinning times for individual trees from an economic perspective. The method utilizes an individual tree-based forest growth model that has been fitted to Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands in northern Sweden. We find that the optimal management strategy is to thin from above, i.e. harvesting trees that are larger than average. We compare our optimal strategy with a conventional management strategy and find that it results in approximately 20% higher land expectation value. Furthermore, we find that increasing the discount rate will, for the optimal strategy, reduce the final harvest age and increase the basal area reduction. Decreasing the cost to initiate a thinning (e.g., machinery-related transportation costs) increases the number of thinnings and delays the first thinning.Originally included in thesis in manuscript form