The photo to the left is representative of a Penn State Forestland Management Office Hardwood Thinning Treatment. A member of our staff evaluates and marks stems to be thinned from a stand. A fully mechanized operator either bids or is contracted to remove the selected stems (typically less than 12 inches in DBH and/or poor stem form). Stems that have been thinned will end up as pulp, chips, or fuel wood.