Timber stand improvement (TSI) is a broad group of treatments used to improve species composition, quality, health, spacing, or other desired stand conditions.
What this means on your property
TSI can include crop-tree release, cutting undesirable stems, vine control, competing vegetation treatment, and other noncommercial work.
The objective is not automatically timber production; wildlife, forest health, resilience, and regeneration can also drive the prescription.
NRCS uses the broader term Forest Stand Improvement for Practice 666.
A practical landowner workflow
- Describe the current stand and desired future condition.
- Choose the trees, species, or structures you are trying to favor.
- Select a treatment that creates that condition with minimal unnecessary disturbance.
- Monitor response and resprouting after treatment.
What to record before acting
- Property and stand boundaries
- Dominant tree species and size classes
- Past harvest or disturbance history
- Regeneration, browse, invasive plants, and tree health
- Roads, trails, streams, wet areas, steep slopes, and access
- Your top two or three ownership goals
When professional forestry help is useful
Bring in a qualified local forester when the decision involves a timber sale, stand prescription, appraisal, tax or conservation program, road or water crossing, significant tree removal, or a condition you cannot confidently diagnose. A good forester can turn your goals and inventory into a site-specific prescription.
Build a Forest Owner Report.
Answer a few questions about your property and get a personalized next-step checklist linked to ForestMGMT tools.