Thinning patterns for mechanized harvesting and their impact on the forest

An account of experience in the northern USA on laying out a series of parallel straight skidding trails (here also called strips or strip roads) and a landing, for mechanized harvesting of thinnings (tree-length or whole-tree) in conifer plantations. The advantages of the method are discussed, viz. ease of mechanization, reduction of damage to the residual stand, and no loss of increment.