The Problems which Face the Forest Manager

The main problem in east Scotland is the conversion of plantations,with a rather narrow age range, into forests. This requiresa prolonged interim stage with limited objectives and flexibilityof management moving towards normality. Management must oftenbe by stands of undefined extent and the criteria of harvestingmust be on quality and size rather than age. Whatever principlesof management are laid down, they must be firmly and adequatelybased on sound silviculture.