After an initial period of instability after harvesting, in which
the least stable and least resistant individuals tend to die, mortality
of retained trees is likely to decline over time (e.g. Bebber et al.,
2005). Tree mortality may not be undesirable when linked to
certain structural objectives. It serves as input into the CWD pool,
and can lead to other important microhabitat features, such as pitand-
mound topography resulting from windthrow (Bauhus, in
press). Thus, typical attrition rates of retained trees and vegetation
patches need to be factored into designs of retention levels and
spatial patterns