Shelterwood cutting in a red spruce - balsam fir lowland site: Effects of final cut on water table and regeneration development

► We applied the final cut of shelterwoods in a lowland red spruce - balsam fir stand. ► Watering-up did not occur following final overstory removal in shelterwoods. ► The water table did not fully recover 15 years after harvest regardless of treatment. ► Clearcuts of 0.25 ha provided a better red spruce cohort than two-step shelterwoods. ► Abundant moisture and relatively low competition may explain red spruce performance.