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Four thinning patterns were tested on plots of pole-size hardwoods totaling 40 acres. Mechanical shear felling, skidding, and field chipping equipment were used. Some saw logs were recovered but most of the material was converted into whole-tree chips. The cost of a typical chain-saw thinning on an additional 10 acres was compared to the cost of mechanical thinning. Five men using approximately $200,000 of capital equipment produced 1,769 tons of whole-tree chips and 9,640 board feet of saw logs during 22 partial days of operation. The average yield was 46 tons per acre. At $2.25 per ton profit, the advantage or cost benefit of thinning was about $100.00 per acre. Strip thinning with selection thinning between strips proved the best. Injury to the residual trees was not much greater than what might occur in normal harvesting operations. Mechanical thinning of pole stands can be profitable and feasible if the operation is properly planned and if operators are aware of the requirements.