An interim economic comparison of thinning treatments in a high site quality red pine plantation

Harvesting costs for seven thinning treatments applied to a highly productive (site index 81 at base age 50) red pine stand (age 22) were calculated using machine productivity rates developed for loblolly pine. The economic value of each treatment 10 years after the initial thinning was determined using the calculated harvesting costs and current product prices. Plots thinned to 60 ft2 balac, 30% height, and 120 ft2 balac treatments had the highest returns regardless of whether pulpwood or pulpwood and sawtimber markets were used to determine returns. -from Author