This is a study of the fully mechanised thinning of young (15 to 25 years old), regrowth stands of high quality ash species. The study quantifies the productivity of the harvesting operation, the amount and distribution of traffic across the coupes, as well it describes the changes that occur to components of the forest floor. Strategies are put forward, that if implemented would provide gains in the economic and environmental efficiency of similarly executed ash thinning operations.