The Simultaneous Determination of Optimal Thinning Schedule and Rotation for an Even-Aged Forest

A model to determine simultaneously the optimal thinning schedule and rotation is presented in two forms. If time is assumed to be continuous, the problem can be formulated in the calculus of variation form. In this form no closed form solution has been obtained. If the model is recastin dynamic programming form, a numeric solution can easily be obtained, without imposing any limitations on the form of the relevant revenue and cost functions. Thus the traditional Faustmann formula is generalized considerably. At the same time the close connection between the calculus ofvariations and dynamic programming is illustrated. Forest Sci. 17:333-339.