Trees may be divided into two broad catagories based on their survival strategies; shade intolerant and shade tolerant. Shade intolerant species prefer lots of sunlight and try to grow faster then everything else around them. They put all their energy into gaining height as quickly as possible. Shade tolerant species favor less sunlight. These trees grow more slowly and steadily, hoping to eventually take over the stand from below.

Starting from bare ground or a field, we can expect shade intolerant species to dominate and grow to prominance. Later on, while the shade intolerant species mature and block sunlight to the ground, shade tolerant species will begin to grow and eventually overtake the stand. Each of the treatments featured here promote even-aged or uneven-aged stands, and either shade tolerant or shade intolerant species, depending on the intensity and type of cutting. If you own five acres or more of forest land and would like help managing it through the State's Forest Stewardship Program, contact your nearest District Office and ask for the county service forester.