Review of the shelterwood system and its potential for application in Tasmanian eucalypt forests

Abstract

A description and a review of the literature on the shelterwood system of silviculture is presented. The shelterwood system removes the stand in two or more cuts, with regeneration becoming established under the cover of the partial stand. The variable components of the system are: the-level of stand retention after the initial cut, the method of seed bed preparation and the length of time between the initial and final cut, i.e. the regeneration period. When compared to clearfelling the shelterwood system may moderate the stand climate, provide seed and reduce the growth of undesirable understorey species, resulting in better regeneration on sites where these factors are important. The syste..