Damage to trees due to forestry operations and its pathological significance in temperate forests: a literature review

The damage caused to temperate forests by forestry operations is examined b y a review of the scientific literature. A significant proportion of the re maining trees, especially in older stands, can be damaged during mechanized selective logging in forests, when operations are carried out in summer. D amage is most often caused during transport of timber. Most of the resultin g wounds occur near the base of the tree and are up to 200 cm(2) in size. D amage to roots has negative effects on tree growth. Wounds on trees are att acked by fungi, causing stain and decay. In most tree species, the spread o f wound decay is extensive and devalues several metres of the butt log. Wou nd closure is usually too slow to have any significant effect on the incide nce of wound infections, but in several tree species it may restrict the sp read of decay. The financial losses in wood value at the final harvest, due to previous logging damage, are reported to be significant. Strategies are discussed for controlling the damage and wound decay-in a forest, emphasiz ing silvicultural options for care of a stand during selective harvesting a nd wound treatment with appropriate dressings.