arvestage

Arvestage is a term used in resource management and plant biology to denote the developmental stage or age at which a harvest should be undertaken to balance yield, quality, and sustainability. The word is a portmanteau of harvest and age, and its usage varies: some writers treat arvestage as synonymous with harvest timing in general, while others use it to describe the specific rotation age in forestry or the optimal maturity window in agricultural production.

In forestry, arvestage often refers to the rotation age—the point at which a stand is harvested to maximize economic return over time. The concept is closely linked to rotation analysis and models such as the Faustmann approach, which consider growth rates, discounting, costs, and market prices to determine the age that yields the highest present value. Arvestage in this context is influenced by species, site productivity, climatic conditions, and management objectives, and it can vary widely between stands and regions.

In agriculture and horticulture, arvestage describes the maturity stage at which fruits or crops should be harvested to achieve desired quality, flavor, color, texture, and postharvest performance. This may encompass a harvest window rather than a single age, reflecting variability in fruit development, weather, and market requirements.

Factors affecting arvestage include species, soil fertility, climate, pest and disease pressures, and economic considerations. Indicators used to assess arvestage range from physiological measurements (fruit brix, sugar content, firmness) to biometric and stand-level attributes (diameter, height, crown health). See also harvest, harvest timing, rotation, and Faustmann model.