Logging is a variety of methods of timber extraction, which are used depending on the type of forest, its age, objectives and management plans. In Latvia and elsewhere in the world, several types of logging are distinguished:
- Clearcutting - a logging in which most or all trees in a certain area are cut down, usually when the forest has reached a certain age or growth peak. After the main felling, the forest is regenerated either naturally or with plantations. Main felling can be of different types:
- Clearcutting - all trees in a certain area are cut down. It is used to ensure even forest regeneration.
- Staged felling - occurs gradually in several stages, allowing natural regeneration to occur between fellings.
- Selective felling - cutting down only individual trees or groups of trees to maintain continuous forest cover and ensure natural regeneration.
- Maintenance felling - felling that is carried out to improve the growth conditions of other trees by removing competing or diseased trees. Maintenance felling leaves healthy and valuable trees that have the potential to grow and develop. Maintenance felling is divided into:
- Protective felling - only those trees that threaten the growth of other trees are felled.
- Thinning - low-value, diseased or damaged trees are harvested to improve the growth conditions of other trees.
- Sanitary felling - carried out to cut down diseased, damaged or dry trees that could threaten the rest of the forest or pose a risk of spreading pests.
- Reconstructive felling - carried out to transform a forest stand if it is not productive or does not meet the desired forest management goals, for example, if poor-quality tree species dominate.
Each type of felling has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them depends on the specific situation in the forest and management plans.
