Tending the forest in the form of climber cutting and liberation thinning is essential because the overall stocking of desirable commercial tree species is relatively low. Every effort is taken to enhance the growth and quality development of the younger regeneration of these species.
The infestation of climbing bamboo (Dinochloa spp.) and other vines are often severe in logged over forest. This poses a major problem for tree regeneration, because climbing plants compete with tree seedlings for light and nutrients. Increased intensity of light following forest disturbance normally promotes the proliferation and growth of climbing bamboo and vines.
Tending involves marking of potential crop trees and competing vegetation such as non-commercial trees and climbing bamboo, which are subsequently removed by girdling and cutting operations. Tending also allows selecting, among the regeneration, those trees which are preferred as crop trees. These two silviculture activities are simultaneously carried out six months after harvesting operation.
Silviculture in 2012
The target area for silviculture in 2012 is about 3,919 ha, comprising of (7) compartments. However, due to lack of workers experienced by the contractor and accessibility issues, the target was revised to 2,612 ha and (2) compartments were carried over for following year treatment. As third quarter 2012, a total of 2,599 ha (covered over 5 compartments) were successfully treated as shown in table below: |