In the last chapter the silvicultural and management questions associated with initial espacement were discussed .We noted how close initial espacements have often been adopted with the express purpose of restricting the growth of the lower branches,thus reducing degrade due to knots.However,it was also pointed out that this imposes an opportunity cost associated with the slower growth of the final crop trees.Many plantation managers have chosen to employ wider initial espacements and accepted the necessity of having to remove the lower branches by other than natural means in order to produce knot-free lumber in a much shorter period of time.Artificial pruning,therefore,becomes yet another option which must be evaluated in the determination of a silvicultural regime.