säästöhakkuu

Säästöhakkuu, known in English as thinning or selective logging, is a silvicultural practice employed in forestry. Its primary goal is to improve the growth and quality of the remaining trees in a forest stand. This is achieved by removing a portion of the trees, typically those that are less desirable due to poor form, disease, or slow growth. The removal of these trees reduces competition for resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients, allowing the more vigorous trees to thrive.

There are several types of säästöhakkuu. Thinning from below involves removing smaller, suppressed trees, while thinning from above targets larger, dominant trees. Intermediate thinning can be a combination of both. The timing and intensity of säästöhakkuu are crucial, with decisions often based on the age and species of the forest, as well as the desired outcome. For instance, early thinnings can encourage the development of a strong, well-spaced stand, while later thinnings might focus on improving timber quality by removing less valuable trees and providing space for the remaining trees to reach larger diameters.

The benefits of säästöhakkuu extend beyond individual tree growth. It can help to reduce the risk of forest fires by decreasing fuel load, and it can also enhance biodiversity by creating a more varied forest structure and allowing light to reach the forest floor, promoting undergrowth development. Furthermore, the wood removed during säästöhakkuu can be utilized for various purposes, such as pulpwood, fuelwood, or smaller timber products, contributing to forest resource management and economic returns.