Thinning Your Woods

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Thinning your woods is important for its health and productivity.

Credit: Wikipedia / Donar Reiskoffer

Imagine an ideal forest. What do you see?

When thinking about the woods, many people envision a lush place that’s dark and dense with trees. But when it comes to forest density, too much can be a bad thing.

Too many trees can make your land less productive in the long term, and more likely to suffer damage in a wildfire or other natural disaster. Too few trees can have the very same undesirable effects. But there’s a density that’s just right for your woods—and you can help achieve it.

Thinning or removing some of the trees in your woods can help you establish the optimal density for your land. With the right training, equipment and guidance, you can thin your woods yourself. Or you can partner with a professional to get it done. Either way, we’ll show you what you need to know.

In this section, you’ll learn what thinning is and whether you need to do it, the benefits of thinning, how to correctly thin your woods, and the facts about commercial thinning, in case you’re considering that option.

And if you need more information or help, you’ll find it in our Thinning Resources Guide.