The clearcut is 2.6 hectares in size. With the exception of a few occasional coarse individuals of Scots pines, this forest was completely Norway spruce-dominated. The forest grew near a village, and diffuse traces of fire wood harvesting and previous thinning were found in some places. Still, there were some features left that characterize a natural forest, with dead trees on the ground and pendulous lichens on tree branches, a variety of tree sizes and single trees with an age approaching 150 years. The forest had reached a stage when self-thinning occurs – a process in which the trees compete with each other and many trees die. The large number of dead trees attracts species such as the Three-toed woodpecker. Several trees had the typical chew marks that this particular species creates. The forest was felled by the PEFC-certified forest owners’ association Norra Skog on behalf of small-scale forestry.
Before | After
Facts
FSC and PEFC are examples of certifications that aim to create an environmentally sound forestry. Read more about FSC and PEFC.
As you can see in the 3D-models, a clear-cut forest land might consist of several areas next to each other where the trees have ben felled at different times but, still, within a short period of time. Humans and the species who live there experience the clear-cut forest land as one area.