While it has been shown that the development of many tree
attributes can be accelerated through management activities (e.g.
Choi et al., 2007), information about the influence of restoration
activities on other attributes is lacking. For example, development
of certain crown structures, such as dead branches, has been
documented in old forests, but not in response to thinning in
mature or old forests (Ishii and McDowell, 2002; Ishii and
Kadotani, 2006). The experiences from thinning studies in young
stands, when crowns consist largely of small or semi-permanent
branches, may not be transferable