Retained structural elements also can have undesirable effects
and pose risks (Table 2). Growth reduction of new tree cohorts
caused by competition from the retained overstorey trees, and the
risk of the spread of pests and diseases propagating in retained
structures are the main concerns. Such growth reductions have
been documented in many studies (e.g. Bauhus et al., 2000; Bassett
and White, 2001; Rose and Muir, 1997). However, the magnitude
of growth reduction appears to be highly variable and depends on a
range of factors such as size and vigour of retained trees, shade
tolerance of the establishing understorey, site resource availability,
and spatial patterns of retained trees. Reductions appear larger on
sites with low productivity, probably due to the combined effects
of shading and root competition. Where retained trees suppress
vegetation outside their crown projection area (Puettmann and
D’Amato, 2002), competitive effects of overstorey trees in
aggregated retention most likely will be less than in dispersed
retention, particularly when shade-intolerant species dominate
the recruitment layer