However, extended production cycles can have some financial
advantages and environmental benefits such as reduced costs for
regeneration-related management activities, higher diversity of
products or wildlife habitat, hydrological benefits, and increased
carbon storage (Curtis, 1997). Also, potential damage from fires
may decline with tree age; as tree crowns rise, inter-tree spacing
usually increases, and the bark becomes thicker, providing better
insulation against damaging temperatures (e.g. Wyant et al., 1986).
In some forests, however, the opposite may be the case when fuel
ladders develop with age