Ecological Thinning

Ecological thinning is the selective removal of trees prioritizing the health of the forest and remaining trees. This is done to give the remaining trees more access to light and water over time as well as reduce the risk of a crown fire. Thinning usually involves the removal of smaller trees as well as damaged, dying, and dead trees leaving the bigger, healthier trees to keep growing. It can also be implemented to remove a certain species from a particular landscape. A common example of this in the South Willamette Valley would be removing conifers from a predominantly oak savanna.