Impacts of forest post thinning residues on soil chemistry, fauna and roots: Implications of residue removal in Finland

► Scots pine forests thinning residue retention increases tree growth. ► Residue retention has minimal impact on soil chemistry. ► Residues increase specific fine root length and ectomycorrhizal root tip number. ► Small soil enchytraeids increase in abundance with increased residue addition. ► Nematodes, mites and collembola abundances are less responsive to residue mass.