Forty years of alternative management practices in second-growth, pole-size northern hardwoods» IL Economic evaluation

Potential economic returns to tree quality were analyzed for four uneven-aged cutting treatments and a control in a Wisconsin northern hardwood stand. The economics of tree quality changes were analyzed over a 20-year period (1971–1992), using a marginal analysis that included tree grade, lumber volume yields, reported lumber values, and hardwood management costs. Net present values were highest for the heavy individual tree selection (60 ft"/acre, 13.8 m2/ha) treatment, and residual tree quality improved significantly. The medium selection (75 ft2/acre, 17.3 m2/ha) treatment had the greatest improvement in tree quality as well as high economic returns. The light selection (90 ft2/acre, 20.7 m2/ha) treatment had the highest residual stand value, but low harvest revenues. An 8-in. (20.3-cm) diameter-limit treatment had the lowest economic returns and the poorest tree quality.