Seedlings planted after harvest face steep competition for light, nutrients, water, and space from each other, from native understory plants, and from invasive species. As a young stand ages, the trees can begin to compete with one another for the same limited resources. Landowners have a number of options for reducing competition for resources: stand release, when the plantation is young, or pre-commercial thinning, as the plantation ages. NNRG is collaborating with Washington forest owners to test the effectiveness of different seedling release and pre-commercial thinning options. Some projects have been completed, others are underway or will begin in summer 2020.

Click on the links below to see the latest information about each project.