The uneven-aged forest management system used in Algonquin Park is the selection system, primarily for shade tolerant hardwoods such as sugar maple and beech.

This system is used for the majority of shade-tolerant hardwood forests. About every 20 to 30 years, individual mature and declining (diseased or unhealthy) trees are cut. The growth rate and quality of the remaining trees improves, and young trees of the shade-tolerant species become established in the mostly-shaded understory. Selection cutting imitates minor natural disturbances like wind and disease, and perpetuates an all-aged tolerant hardwood forest.

The selection system accounts for approximately 50% of harvesting operations in Algonquin Park.

Uneven-aged selection system