Initial Effects of Intensity and Severity of Balsam Fir Tip Harvesting on Harvesting Intensity at the Stand Level, Tip Production, and Tip/Foliage Removal at the Tree Level, and Harvesters’ Production and Productivity

Abstract

Balsam fir ( Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.), which is widely used for floral greenery, is an important source of nontimber forest products (NTFP) from the northern forests of North America. Nonetheless, additional information is needed to refine and revise commercial tip-harvesting management guidelines to promote sustainable forest management. Therefore, a study was initiated to: (a) examine the socioeconomic impacts of and anticipate the potential biological responses to four contrasting harvesting practices; (b) discuss the implications of the results for the relevance and applicability of some specifications of management guidelines; and (c) assess the compatibility of tip harvesting while pursuing an objective of timber production.