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Sustainable production of timber from commercial species across felling cycles is a core challenge for tropical silviculture. In this study, we analysed how the intensity and type (harvesting and thinning) of silvicultural interventions affect: (a) recruitment of small stems (5 cm ⩽ DBH < 15 cm), (b) increment of future crop trees (15 cm ⩽ DBH < 50 cm) and (c) recovery of harvestable growing stocks (DBH ⩾ 50 cm) of 52 commercial timber species in the Tapajós National Forest, Brazil. Intervention intensities comprised logging (on average 61 m 3 ha −1 ) and associated damage to remaining trees (1982) and thinning (refinement) to reduce basal area at the stand level (1993/1994). These interventions together resulted in a gradient of reduction in basal-area from 19 to 53% relative to pre-logging stocks. Trees (DBH ⩾ 5 cm) were measured on eight occasions in 41 permanent sample plots of 0.25 ha each. The dynamics were analysed at the stand level over 30 years and compared among treatments (including unlogged forest) and to pre-logging stands. Recruitment and growth temporarily increased following interventions and recovery of harvestable growing stock decreased with intervention intensity. Harvesting substantially increased recruitment of small stems relative to the unlogged forest, but recruitment rates decreased over time and did not increase following thinning. Gross increment of future crop trees was higher in logged than in unlogged forest and increased over time with high intensity of follow-up thinning, where it remained significantly higher than in control plots over time. Increased recruitment rates and volume increments were mainly driven by long-lived pioneer species, changing the composition of the growing stock. In 2012, recovery of harvestable growing stock of the 22 species harvested in 1982 varied between 19% and 57% in logged treatments relative to pre-logging levels. When considering an additional group of 30 species that were not harvested in the permanent sample plots but are now potentially commercial, relative recovery increased enough to support a second harvest under the present regulations (maximum harvest of 30 m 3 ha −1 ), except for treatment with high thinning intensity where stocks were still less than 30% relative to pre-harvest levels. In contrast, light and medium thinning intensity promoted recovery of harvestable growing stock. These findings indicate that intensive thinning should be avoided and silvicultural interventions oriented towards future crop trees of target species should be adopted. This may enhance recovery and reduce unintended changes in composition of the commercial growing stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Replacing some species logged in the first harvest maintain sustainable wood yield. • Most species selected for second harvest were not marketable in the first harvest. • Larger sets of logged species avoid pressure over a few species in future harvests. • Light-demanding species increased the number of trees and timber volume in the area. • Logged forest under 90 m3 ha−1 recovered timber yields after 32 years. Can heavily logged Amazonian dense forests produce commercial timber for a second harvest under a 25–35-year cutting cycle? To address this question, we evaluated the forest capacity to recover the volume extracted 32 years after heavy logging (90 m3 ha−1) in a 144-ha research area located in the Tapajós National Forest, Brazil (03°18′31″ to 03°19′21″ S; 54°56′28″ to 54°56′15″ W). Abundance (number of trees ha−1), basal area (m2 ha−1) and volume (m3 ha−1) were assessed in two censuses, one year before logging (1981) and 32 years after logging (2014) to evaluate the status of the timber stock. Canopy openings caused by logging and silvicultural treatments increased sunlight in the forest and boosted the growth of trees 5–45 cm in DBH. Light-demanding species accounted for most of the increase in density and timber volume in the study area after logging. Our findings indicated that 32 years after the first cut, the forest was not able to replace the volume extracted. Considering the present Brazilian forest management regulations, which allow a logging intensity of 30 m3 ha−1 in a 35-year cutting cycle, this volume could only be harvested if new species not logged in the first cut were included in the new species logging list. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]