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To have your plantation thinned, contact Maurice Ryan on either This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 087 675 3097 in Greenbelt HQ to discuss the thinning of your plantation. Greenbelt are interested in all plantation sizes in all areas and we
If your forestry plantation is approaching 20 years of age, it might be ready for first thinning. This is an essential maintenance procedure for forests and it will enhance the future growth and production of your plantation towards clearfell.
The first step with thinning a plantation is initial assessment of the forest. Greenbelt will estimate the volume of timber to be removed during the thinning process. We offer a guaranteed minimum price per ton removed and we confirm the volume on a certified wighbridge. We remove the timber within 10 days of being felled.
During the thinning process, the lighter material is removed, leaving the strongest timber to develop fully into saw log. A second thinning will then take place approximately 5 years after the 1st thinning. All Greenbelt thinning is fully supervised to make sure only selected timber is removed. Our focus is the same as yours - to ensure as strong and lucrative final crop as possible.
To prepare the foret for thinning we will apply for a felling licence and road grant application on your behalf. Does your neighbour have land planted too? Have you considered submitting a joint road application? This will make the road grant cover a lot more ground and reduce any potential road costs to you.
For an obligation free consulatation, please contact Maurice on 087 675 3097.
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Browse our Thinning FAQ's below;
What is thinning?
Thinning is the removal of a proportion of the trees in a crop. (In a typical Sitka Spruce plantation, less then 20% of the initial stocking is left at clearfell). By removing smaller weaker trees the remaining trees are left with more light and room to grow to their full potential. The trees which are removed can be sold to make a variety of products such as fence posts, paper, pallets or MDF.
When do I thin my plantation?
The first thinning of a plantation is usually carried out when the trees have reached at least 8m in height or in terms of age of the plantation, between 12 and 20 years old for a fast growing species such as spruce and 20-30 years for other species. The decision to thin is often a compromise between waiting until the thinnings are large enough to maximise your return and not delayed so long that the growth potential of your remaining trees is affected by competing growth.
How is thinning carried out?
There are a number of steps involved in the practise of thinning. The first step is to make/cut inspection racks through your plantation. These racks are basically pathways through the plantation, where a forester can inspect the trees form and establish the growth rate of the trees. Once the growth rate of the trees has been established, your forester can recommend the type of thinning which should be carried out.
How much do I thin?
Once the type of thinning has been agreed, the thinning intensity is worked out. The amount of timber removed is dependent on the species of tree and the rate at which it is growing. The calculations involved are somewhat longwinded but the general idea is to remove the right amount of timber to make the operation profitable without adversely affecting the productivity and stability of the remaining trees.
How often should I thin my plantation?
How often a thinning is carried out can be established by your Green Belt forester. The frequency of thinning is a balance between making the operation profitable while maximising the value of the remaining crop. For example; thinning operations are carried out every three years on fast growing spruce.
Your Green Belt forester can find the best market for your thinnings.In conclusion, thinning is an essential part of your farm forestry investment. If thinning is planned or carried out incorrectly, your plantation will suffer. If carried out correctly your plantation will continue to be a healthy crop and investment.