Abstract The components of net growth for number of trees and basal area are described as a system of first-order, ordinary differential equations for an uneven-aged forest stand. Data from a 6-year period are utilized to estimate coefficients for the governing equations. Thirteen successive years of historical data are subsequently used to compare observed and predicted future states of the forest stand. The proposed method adequately estimated per-acre values for the components under consideration. Forest Sci. 18:184-191.