Timber Stand Improvement
Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) is a cutting or culling of undesirable species, usually in a sapling stand of trees less than 4-inches in diameter. By removing undesirable species and poorly formed, diseased, or insect-infested trees, the species composition and stand quality will improve. Also TSI will increase the growth rate and health of the desirable trees remaining.
Undesirable trees may be killed by herbicides, prescribed burning, or removed from the stand and used as firewood. Improvement cuttings are done in older stands to accomplish the same results, but the stems removed are usually sold for timber.
Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) Foresters are available to provide information and onsite recommendations for TSI. The GFC also maintains a list of Forestry Services Contractors and Consulting Foresters that either perform TSI work or can assist you in finding a contractor.
