Pre-Commercial thinning (PCT) is the most important and widely practiced silvicultural treatment used in the Province today.

	More than 1000 km˛ have been treated Province-wide since 1979.
	Treatments are applied to young, overdense, naturally-regenerated stands of Balsam Fir and Black Spruce.
	Between 10,000 and 100,000 trees per hectare in naturally regenerated stands. PCT reduces this to between 2000 and 2500 evenly spaced crop trees per hectare.
	Chainsaws are sometimes used but tool of choice is the specialty brush saw which is safer and faster.
	Felled trees are left on site to rot and help fertilize remaining crop trees.
	Treatment contributes significantly to future supply of high-value wood.