Le problème de l'éclaircie commerciale des bétulaies blanches de 60 ans et plus. Revue de littérature

In terms of its volume, white birch is the most abundant hardwood species in Québec. The province has large areas of 60-year-old or greater white birch stands where merchantable volumes are now available, particularly in the western sector of the balsam fir-yellow birch bioclimatic domain. It is difficult to tell if commercial thinning will increase timber yields in these stands, owing to their age and to the potential for post-logging decadence. A literature review reveals that white birch can live more than 200 years. The rotation age for timber production in white birch stands is higher than the age based solely on the merchantable volume of all stems in the stand. Few published results are available on commercial thinning of 60-year-old or greater white birch stands. The growth of residual stems can be stimulated by this treatment, especially where the site index is high. The effect of commercial thinning on the post-logging decadence of residual white birch remains to be evaluated.