Is young growth tending successful in the Swiss Plateau region? Analysis and implications (essay)
The effect of the cost-intensive young growth tending used up to the present in the region of the Swiss Plateau is analysed using different approaches. It is evident that young growth tending is not only ineffective with respect to diameter growth but even hinders stand development. Negative effects on quality from young growth tending are also recognised. This is often due to premature interventions in the natural processes of self-differentiation and subsequent systematic errors in the thinning. Furthermore, the effect of tending measures on the tree species composition is often overestimated because in the first 10 to 20 years of stand development, it is primarily the rejuvenation strategy and the site which are decisive. As an alternative course of action, tending concepts are proposed which rely on biological rationalisation and future tree thinning, to achieve future trees which are as vigorous as possible. These are not only more effective, but are also significantly less expensive.
