Is it possible to manage Sitka spruce using continuous cover silviculture? This is the main question that has been examined in a 42ha Trial Area in Clocaenog Forest, northeast Wales, in a joint project between Forest Research, Natural Resources Wales and Bangor University since 2001. The trial is an example of ‘late transformation’ because it was started when the forests were circa 50 years
old and, under traditional even-aged management, would have been clearfelled in 2000. In the Trial Area a number of different methods of transformation to continuous cover have been applied: uniform and irregular shelterwood, group and strip shelterwood, underplanting and respacing of natural regeneration. Experience has shown that the uniform shelterwood system is a straightforward method of transforming Sitka spruce, and local staff quickly adopted this approach because it is so pragmatic. However, all the methods used in the Trial Area can be successfully applied to Sitka spruce with some small adjustments to existing practice. The main factors for success include: initial selection of suitable stands; good site organisation (marked racks, operational zones for working and stacking, stoning to join racks to road network); excellent machine
operation and clear on-site management with professional forestry input. The success in the Trial Area has led to the adoption of various forms of continuous cover management on a much wider area in Clocaenog Forest; these now extend to some 2,000ha out of a total area of 4,000ha.