Continuous cover methods

When using selection cutting, the ground is always forested, and the forest maintains a consistent appearance over time, benefitting the flora and fauna that are sensitive to significant changes in their habitat. Some trees are also allowed to grow very thick and old, which supports species that depend on mature, thicker trees. Various hanging lichens, for example, tend to thrive in selection cutting forests, as they can spread from older trees to younger ones. Selection cutting also preserves the feeling of being in a forest – you rarely see from one strip road to another.

Selection cutting is best suited for tree species adapted to shade, which is why it is primarily spruce that can be harvested this way in northern Sweden. The area must also have a relatively high timber stock for selection cutting to function effectively and ensure good regeneration.

Harvesting: Is done periodically, approximately every 15–30 years. The longer interval applies if the forest grows slowly, while the shorter interval applies to faster-growing forests. The timber extraction typically amounts to 25–30 percent of the volume during each harvest. During the first harvest, permanent strip roads are created within the stand. For subsequent harvests, the same roads are reused, and the thickest trees beside them are removed.
Timing: Harvesting can be done at any time of the year, but it is important to consider the ground conditions. Wet areas, for example, may need to be reserved for winter harvesting to avoid soil damage.
Regeneration: Regeneration occurs naturally since there are always trees of all ages growing within the area. This eliminates the need for investments in soil scarification and planting.

Gap harvesting involves creating small openings – gaps – in the forest area to encourage regeneration within these gaps. The method is primarily suitable for pine and desiduous forests but can also work in mixed forests with spruce. With gap harvesting you create small openings – gaps – in the forest area to encourage regeneration within these gaps. The gaps can be shaped either as squares or circles. According to the Swedish Forest Agency's definition, each gap can be a maximum of 0.25 hectares, although they are often made smaller.
The size of the gaps depends on the characteristics of the forest and how much sunlight is needed to reach the ground. Compared to clear-felling, gaps make the forest less vulnerable to wind, as the remaining trees provide mutual protection. Gap harvesting also preserves the feeling of being in a forest and offers small open areas between forested sections. It allows more sunlight while creating a pleasant forest environment to enjoy.

Harvesting: Up to 50 percent of the timber volume can be harvested. As regeneration develops within the gaps, the standing forest can then either be fully harvested or gradually expand the gaps to create a more uneven-aged stand.
Timing: Harvesting can be done at any time, but it is essential to consider soil conditions. For instance, wet soils should be harvested in winter to avoid soil damage.
Regeneration: Regeneration occurs within the gaps, either naturally or through planting or seeding. Often, some form of soil scarification is necessary to create favorable conditions for regrowth. The size of the gaps plays a crucial role, as larger gaps provide better opportunities for regenerating light-demanding tree species like pine and broadleaf trees.

In broadleaf harvesting, broadleaf trees and, preferably, pines are retained while most spruces are harvested. This benefits biodiversity and species associated with broadleaf trees, such as many birds and insects. The method is often used near residential areas, resulting in a bright, open and pleasant recreational forest that is enjoyable to visit.
Harvesting: Primarily spruce timber is harvested, although in some cases, a portion of pine timber may also be harvested.
Timing: Harvesting is typically done in autumn or winter to avoid disturbing birdlife during the spring and summer months.
Regeneration: It depends. If harvesting exceeds the threshold that legally requires reforestation, planting seedlings becomes necessary. Successful natural regeneration of broadleaf trees often requires some form of soil scarification to ensure good growth conditions for the seedlings.

This method involves thinning a stand to create a canopy of large trees, under which new trees are encouraged to grow, either naturally or through planting. it is most suitable for tree species that require abundant light for regeneration, such as broadleaf trees and pine. To maintain the feeling of being in a forest, trees in a continuous-cover shelterwood are kept denser than in a typical seed tree system. The canopy is also retained for a longer period, but once the new stand has matured, the shelter can be gradually removed. At that point, a few ecological retention trees are left to continue growing and eventually die naturally within the area.

It is important for a shelterwood stand to be sufficiently thinned to allow enough light for successful regeneration. The density of the canopy depends on the stand's ability to regenerate. A forest with a shelterwood system offers good visibility and is enjoyable to move through, as it feels open and bright. While shelterwoods can also be applied to spruce, they become significantly more susceptible to wind damage. In low-lying terrain, such as spruce swamp forests, shelterwoods can function effectively.