16. DRAFT_Attachment 4 - Item 3c LO Pocket Prescriptions.pdf

Tr ea tm en t P la n Silvicultural Treatment:

Arizona Game and Fish Experimental Treatment: Group Selection with Free Thinning

Id en tit y

Project Name NEPA Forest / District

LO Pocket 4FRI Coconino NF / Flagstaff RD Prescribed by: Andy Stevenson Date: 8/30/18 Location(s) Site(s) Cutting Unit Acres

Certified by: Andy Stevenson Date: 8/30/18 000127 0001, 0002, 0003, 0008, 0010, 0011, 0012 1 ~400

Treatment Method: Ground-based

Slash Treatment: Whole tree, tops to landing Skid Trails: Designated skid trails at discretion of administrator Constraints and Other Considerations:

Retain all Juniper and Gambel oak and yellow/old pine. See Old Tree

Implementation Plan.

Unit contains Grassland restoration treatments.

This unit is part of an AZG&F experimental treatment study to assess the effects of different treatment designs on Abert’s Squirrel populations.

Notes for Layout/Prep:

Follow-up Treatment (next 5 years):

Burn piles, broadcast burning, reforestation stocking surveys in regeneration group openings.

La yo ut /M ar ki ng

Boundary Designation: Double orange horizontal bands facing towards unit.

Tree Designation: DxP (Tablet) with LTM example (ponderosa pine ≥ 6” dbh)

Layout completed by: Date:

Marking verified by: Date:

N ot es If the contract allows, include Small Tree Thinning (<6” dbh).

LTM grasslands in: stands 000127; 0008, 0010, 0011, and 0012; LTM should be done for YP’s and evidence replacements in the grasslands. An additional LTM in an as yet to be demined area will done as an example mark for this unit.

Section II – Existing Conditions STAND DESCRIPTION: The stands are in a southwestern frequent-fire ponderosa pine forest. Current overstory consists of ponderosa pine. Stand structure is relatively even-aged and there is an abundance of mid-aged trees. Ponderosa pine regeneration is present in moderate quantities. Groups and Individual Yellow pines are distributed across the unit.

Site productivity is moderate. The stand is at full site occupancy. There is an average of 3.8 logs >12” in diameter and .4 snags greater than 18” dbh per acre. There is a mix of mostly smaller (<6” dbh) suppressed, younger undesirable, and a few younger desirable trees throughout the unit. Junipers are present in the stand are are mostly under 5” drc.

Table 1: Site/Stand Overview

Table 2: Current stand structure/species composition

VSS 1-2* VSS 3 VSS 4 VSS 5 VSS 6

Species Measure <1”-5” 5-12” 12-18” 18-24” 24+” Total

Ponderosa pine TPA 45 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 32 80 37 14 163

Gambel oak TPA 0 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 0 0 0 0 0

Juniper TPA 7 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 1 0 0 0 1

Total TPA 52 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 33 80 37 14 164

* VSS 1 = seedlings + saplings < 1” DBH

Section III – Long-Term Desired Conditions and Prescribed Treatment Objectives Desired Future Condition (spatial patterns, species composition, stand structure) Stand structure is a balanced uneven-aged forest. Species composition is dominated by ponderosa pine. Trees are grouped and randomly distributed with forest interspaces comprising 10% to 25% of the stand area. Interspace width between tree groups will average from 40 to 60 feet. Interspaces will be composed of a robust native herbaceous layer.

Tree groups and interspaces will be irregularly sized and shaped. Vegetative structural stage (VSS) 4, 5 and 6 tree groups will have interlocking crowns. Forest density is variable, and ranges from 50 to 70 square feet of basal area overall inclusive of groups, interspaces, and regeneration openings. Old age trees exist and are sustained across the stand.

Snags, logs and woody debris are scattered throughout the stand. The forest structure and spatial distribution provides suitable foraging habitat for the northern goshawk. Forest insects and pathogens occur within characteristic levels of severity. Low severity surface fire occurs at intervals of 10-20 years.

Short-Term Objectives (expected post-treatment outcome) In conjunction with the AZ Game and Fish department, objectives and marking guidelines were developed for the treatment design of this cutting unit. The objectives are:

Slope Aspect Elevation Soil Description Relative Productivity (SI)

0-5% Flat 6,700 TEU 50, 582, 585; basalt parent material Moderate, ponderosa pine site index = 70 (Minor)

Habitat Type (s) Ecological Unit Hydrology PIPO Ponderosa Pine Forest Upper Sycamore Creek 6th code watershed

DM Severity (DMI) % Area Infected Other Damaging Agents/Severity 0 0

Damaging Agent Spatial Distribution

Snags/Acre CWD Litter/Duff < 1 snag >18”/acre Estimate 7-10 tons/acre

1. Create an experimental, wildlife-based treatment area to study the efforts of restoration activities on tassel-eared squirrels, birds, and small mammals.

2. Create a gradient of group sizes that will be replicated across the landscape.

3. Increase tree health, growth, vigor, and age/size class diversity.

4. Reduce (where possible) the risk of crown fire.

Table 3: Current/Desired Conditions for Species Composition (by % BA)

Species Estimated Current

Composition Expected Post Treatment

Composition Desired Future Composition Ponderosa pine 99.9 % 99.8 % 99.9 % Gambel oak 0 % 0 % 0 % Juniper .1 % .2 % .1 %

Section IV – Implementation Guide

Location(s): 000127 Site(s): 0001, 0002, 0003, 0008, 0010, 0011, 0012 Acres: ~400

Silvicultural Treatment:

Use group selection cutting to regenerate ponderosa pine throughout the stand. Create openings to establish regeneration across approximately 10% of the manageable stand area.

Use free thinning between regeneration groups to develop variable-sized and shaped tree groups and interspaces, and to reduce stand density. Tree groups should be created across 45% of the stand area. Interspaces should be created across 45% of the stand area. The post treatment stand (all species) basal area will average 50 square feet/acre.

Implementation Instructions (in order of priority) DxP (Tablet) with Leave Tree Mark example (all ponderosa pine ≥ 6” dbh)

1) Retain All Yellow/Old Age Pine, all pine greater than 24” dbh, and all Gambel Oak

2) Individual/Isolated Old Ponderosa Pine Reduce the crown competition and increase the growing space of old ponderosa pine as identified in the Old Tree Implementation Plan.

• Cut all intermediate and suppressed ponderosa pine <18” dbh (except yellow pine) within 50 feet of the base of yellow/old age pine that would eliminate direct crown competition on 2 of the 4 sides of the old tree.

3) Regeneration Openings

• Create irregularly shaped regeneration openings across 10% of the unit.

• Openings shall be placed in areas containing no infected yellow pines that will be surrounded by little to no mistletoe infection after opening is created. Openings may contain Gambel oak/juniper. Priority for opening placement shall be as follows:

1. In areas with moderate to abundant (>10 TPA) desirable young ponderosa <6” dbh.

2. In areas overstocked with ponderosa from the most prevalent size classes (9-14” dbh).

3. In small pockets of mistletoe infection (<1 acre) where all visibly infected trees plus a 30-40 foot buffer

(to capture latent infection) can be removed.

• Create irregularly shaped and sized regeneration openings. Openings shall generally range from 0.3 to 0.1 acre in size and will be no larger than 4 acres or 200 feet wide. In openings larger than 1 acre, retain one group of 3-5 reserve (seed) trees (focus on leaving the most vigorous/desirable trees). Variability in opening size is desirable.

4) Forest Matrix (Tree Groups and Interspaces) Selected trees will be arranged in groups across approximately 75% of the stand area. Tree groups will vary in shape, size and density.

• Thin ponderosa >6” dbh (except yellow pine), leaving trees in irregularly shaped groups.

• Large trees (dominant and co-dominant trees) will be the basis for forming groups. Choose the best formed and healthy trees to leave. Retain desirable quality trees and sufficient acceptable quality trees (see Table 5) to meet group stocking targets (see Table 4). Attempt to remove non-desirable quality trees, unless they are necessary to meet group stocking targets or have interlocking crowns with oak. Strive for irregular tree spacing, including some trees with interlocking crowns.

• Vary group size from 1 to 3 acre(s), with the following distribution:

(a) 50% 1-2 acre (b) 50% 2-3 acre

• Within groups, thin to the average densities shown in Table 4, generally retaining desirable and acceptable trees (Table 5) from across the range of available size classes. Leave all trees greater than 18” dbh (this applies to only trees with the groups). Additional non-desirable trees may be left if needed to meet density targets. Strive for irregular spacing within groups and the retention of some trees with interlocking crowns.

• Remove all pine less than 18” dbh within 10 feet of the canopy of large Gambel oak with a drc of 10” or greater, unless removal of the pine will damage the oak

• Distance between groups, measured dripline to dripline at the narrowest point, shall average 40-60 feet (occasionally up to 100 feet), Interspaces may contain Gambel oak/juniper and trees greater than 24” dbh.

• Single trees may be retained occasionally in forest interspaces, especially large trees or desirable quality trees of any size, as long as the grouped structure of the stand is not compromised. Where single trees are retained, create wider interspaces between tree groups (100-200 feet).

• Retain ponderosa >18” dbh with existing cavities, dead tops and lightning scars as wildlife trees

5) Grassland Treatment Areas

• Leave all Yellow Pines

• Retain one tree within 50 feet of each pre-settlement evidence, focusing on the most desirable tree available for retention (will be Leave Tree Marked).

Special Instructions for tablet marking:

Group Type:

• Groups under this Rx should be a mix of “free thin” and “thin-below”, with “free thin” chosen when desirable/acceptable trees exist across a range of size classes. Use “thin-below” when no opportunity exists to leave desirable/acceptable smaller trees.

• If the average BA within a group is currently at 70 BA or lower you can designate it as a no cutting group. If a “no cutting” group is designated in an area due to operability or other issues, state the reason in the “Notes” section.

Group Size:

• The minimum size for designated groups is 1 acre and a maximum of 3 acres.

Individual Trees w/in Interspaces and groups:

• Record a point and dbh for ponderosa pine >6” dbh to be retained between groups. Mark all retained blackjacks and transitioning blackjacks, but not obvious yellow pines.

• Do not designate individual trees within any of the “group” polygons.

Regen openings:

• Record a point and dbh for ponderosa pine >6” dbh to be retained within regeneration openings (yellow pines, other reserve trees, or desirable young trees 6-9” dbh). Mark all retained blackjacks and transitioning blackjacks, but not obvious yellow pines.

• Always record a residual BA of “0” for regeneration openings. BA will be calculated from the dbh estimated for individual trees.

• The VSS for regen openings should be recorded as a VSS 1 if no existing desirable advance regeneration exists and VSS 2 if any existing desirable advance regeneration exists. Do not record a VSS >2.

• If desirable advance regeneration <6” dbh exists within a regeneration opening, record an estimate of the total # of desirable trees.

Notes:

• Only notes to the logger should be recorded in the “Notes” section within groups and regeneration openings.

• Notes for somebody to follow up on (i.e., potential archy sites, trees with stick nests, etc.) should be designated as a point, line, or area of interest.

Table 4: Stocking Guide for Leave Tree Groups

Typical Number of Trees Per Group at the Midpoint Diameter of the VSS Class1

Typical Intra-Group (within-group)

Densities1

VSS

Class

DBH

Range

(inches)

1/10 acre group

¼ acre group

½ acre group

¾ acre group acre group Basal Area2

(ft2/acre) 3 5 - 11.9 15 38 76 114 152 60

4 12 - 17.9 7 16 33 49 65 80 5 18 - 23.9 3 8 17 25 33 80 6 24 + 2 6 11 17 23 90

1 These are typical values for the desired condition; variation can occur and is desired. However, ranges should center on these values. If trees are larger than the midpoint diameter, less trees would be retained.

2 Densities are equivalent to 50-70 overall stand BA (with 25% interspace and 10% regeneration openings). Densities meet and exceed canopy cover requirements of 40% canopy cover in VSS 4, VSS 5 and VSS 6 classes.

SNAGS/DOWN LOGS: Retain and recruit snags to manage for an average of 2 snags/acre (> 18” DBH). Do not mark totally dead trees. Fading/dying trees greater than 18” DBH may be marked with a “W” as a wildlife tree.

Non-Commercial Thinning (ponderosa pine <6” dbh): DxP. Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

Special Instructions:

There three springs in or adjacent to the unit. Do not create a group in or around the spring site, open up the area around the spring site.

Table 5: Tree Quality Standards

Guidelines for Choosing Leave Trees Within Groups (does not apply to trees left for wildlife habitat purposes such as future snag recruitment or nesting clumps)

EVALUATION

CRITERIA

DESIRABLE

(usually leave)

ACCEPTABLE

(maybe leave, maybe cut)

NON- DESIRABLE

(usually cut)

LIVE CROWN RATIO >40% for ponderosa pine

25-40% for ponderosa pine

<25% for ponderosa pine

CROWN CLASS dominants and co-dominants co-dominates better intermediates intermediates and suppressed/over-topped, poor form

INSECTS, ANIMAL,

FIRE, MISC.

DISEASE

(see next row for mistletoe)

NONE

Minor insect or animal defoliation (< 25% live crown ratio).

Barking of ponderosa pine < 50% of bole circumference.

Fire kill of cambium < 50% of bole circumference or the scorch is on the lower 2/3 of the crown.

Any successful bark beetle attacks.

Defoliation >25% of live crown.

Barking of ponderosa pine >50% of bole circumference.

Any significant top killing. Fire kill of cambium >50 % of bole circumference, or the scorch reaches into the upper 1/3 of the crown. Any conks on stem which indicate rot.

HAWKSWORTH

DWARF MISTLETOE

RATING (DMR)

None

Any

FORM DEFECTS

MINOR (no significant weakening of the tree anticipated. Minor crooks, sweeps, and tight forks which are <30% of total tree height are acceptable if the tree is dominant or co-dominant and otherwise has good vigor).

MAJOR

(weakening of tree or multiple tops)

SOUNDNESS

DEFECTS

NONE NONE ANY

WILDLIFE TREES Retain all snags greater than 18” DBH. Retain trees greater than 18” with dead tops or fading crowns for wildlife tree recruitment (2 trees/acre)

Section V – Documentation

(FACTS, KV, FSVeg Spatial, planned future treatments (5+ years), monitoring)

Table 6: Documentation

FACTS 4152 – regeneration need 4220 – free thinning

KV N/A

FSVeg Spatial Verify stand polygon in spatial database

Planned Future Treatments Maintenance broadcast burn – once every 10-20 years

Monitoring Hydrologist may initiate BMP monitoring during implementation.

Verify ponderosa pine regeneration 5 years after treatment.

Monitoring results will facilitate future adaptive management.

tm en t P la n Silvicultural Treatment: Free Thinning – IT40

Id en tit y

Project Name NEPA Forest / District LO Pocket 4FRI Coconino NF / Flagstaff RD

Prescribed by: Andy Stevenson Date: 01/28/19 Location(s) Site(s) Cutting Unit Acres Certified by: Andy Stevenson Date: 01/28/19 000127 0004, 0005 02 92 Treatment Method: Ground-based

Constraints and Other Considerations:

Retain all Juniper, Gambel oak and yellow/old pine. See Old Tree

Implementation Plan.

Walk potential temp roads with a hydrologist during delineation.

Hydrologist may initiate BMP monitoring during implementation.

Burn piles, broadcast burning

La yo ut /M ar

Tree Designation: DxP cutter select (ponderosa pine ≥ 6” dbh)

Marking verified by: Date:

N ot es If the contract allows, include Small Tree Thinning (<6” dbh).

STAND DESCRIPTION: The stand is in a southwestern frequent-fire ponderosa pine forest. Current species composition is dominated by ponderosa pine, juniper is rare and only in the understory. Stand structure is relatively even-aged or two-age and the majority of the trees are mid-aged. Basal Area ranges from 90 to 220 sq ft and averages around 135.

Dwarf mistletoe occurs in approximately 5-10 % of the unit. Site productivity is moderate. The stand is at full site occupancy.

Species Measure <1”-5” 5-12” 12-18” 18-24” 24+” Total

Ponderosa pine TPA 38 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 34 46 45 10 135

Gambel oak TPA 0 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 0 0 0 0 0

Juniper TPA 2 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 0 0 0 0 0

Total TPA 40 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 34 46 45 10 135

Long-term stand structure is comprised of groups and individual trees separated by grassy interspaces. Over-story species composition is dominated by ponderosa pine with a minor juniper component. Trees are grouped and randomly distributed with forest interspaces comprising 40% to 55% of the stand area. Interspace width between tree groups will average from 60 to 80 feet. Interspaces will be composed of a robust native herbaceous layer. Tree groups and interspaces will be irregularly sized and shaped. Vegetative structural stage (VSS) 4, 5 and 6 tree groups will have interlocking crowns. Forest density is variable, and ranges from 70 to 90 square feet of basal area overall. Old age trees exist and are sustained across the stand. Snags, logs and woody debris are scattered throughout the stand. The forest structure and spatial distribution provides suitable foraging habitat for the northern goshawk. Forest insects and pathogens occur within characteristic levels of severity. Low severity surface fire occurs at intervals of 10-20 years.

Slope Aspect Elevation Soil Description Relative Productivity (SI)

0% flat 6,800 TEU 582; basalt parent material Moderate, ponderosa pine site index = 70 (Minor)

Habitat Type (s) Ecological Unit Hydrology PIPO Ponderosa Pine Forest Upper Sycamore Creek 6th code watershed

DM Severity (DMI) % Area Infected Other Damaging Agents/Severity 3 10

Short-Term Objectives (expected post-treatment outcome) The current stand is overstocked and dominated by mid-aged ponderosa pine. This treatment will move towards the long-term desired conditions, within the constraints of the current stand. The treatment objectives are to:

1. Reduce the risk of uncharacteristic, stand-replacing wildfire by decreasing stand density, ladder fuels, and crown fuel continuity. Create conditions conducive to the reintroduction of low severity surface fire.

2. Improve forest health by decreasing inter-tree competition and overall stand density. Improve residual tree growth, health and vigor.

3. Improve suitable foraging habitat for the northern goshawk by moving towards an uneven-aged stand structure, creating interspaces between tree groups, maintaining 40+% canopy cover (interlocking crowns or nearly so) in VSS4 - VSS6 tree groups, and retaining live reserve trees > 18” dbh for future snag recruitment (2 snags per acre).

4. Manage for old trees in order to have and sustain as much old forest structure as possible across the landscape.

Maximize the retention of large ponderosa pine trees. Manage for the sustainability of individual/isolated old ponderosa pine as defined in the old tree implementation plan.

Estimated Current

Composition Expected Post Treatment

Composition Desired Future Composition Ponderosa pine 100 % 100 % 98 %

Juniper 0 % 0 % 2 %

Location(s): 000127 Site(s): 0004, 0005 Acres: 92

Silvicultural Treatment:

Use free thinning to develop variable-sized and shaped tree groups and interspaces, and to reduce stand density. Tree groups should be created across 45-60% of the stand area. Interspaces should be created across 40-55% of the stand area. The post treatment stand (all species) basal area will average between 60 and 70 square feet/acre.

Implementation Instructions (in order of priority) Cut only Ponderosa Pine (ponderosa pine ≥ 6” dbh)

1) Retain All Yellow/Old Age Pine, Gambel oak and Juniper

2) Individual/Isolated Old Ponderosa Pine Reduce the crown competition and increase the growing space of old ponderosa pine as identified in the Old Tree Implementation Plan.

• Cut all intermediate or suppressed ponderosa pine <18” dbh (except yellow pine) within 50 feet of the base of yellow/old age pine that would eliminate direct crown competition on 2 of the 4 sides of the old tree.

3) Tree Groups and Interspaces Focus on managing the mid-aged, and mature/old leave trees in the stand. Selected trees will be arranged in “leave groups” across approximately 45-60% of the stand area. Tree groups will vary in shape, size, density, and number of trees (0.1 to 1 acre+) ≈ (2 – 40+ trees).

• Leave trees in groups made up of similar diameter and crown position. Leave trees should be the dominant and co-dominant trees within the size class group you are creating. Generally, groups should range from 1/10 to 3/4 acre, and occasionally greater than 1 acre in size. Each group will have a VSS classification because the trees in the group are similar in size. Vary the size and shape of leave groups.

• Choose the best formed and healthy trees to leave, from what you have to work with. Leave all desirable quality trees and sufficient acceptable quality trees to meet group stocking targets (see Table 5). Attempt to remove non-desirable quality trees, unless they will be retained for snag recruitment or used to build wildlife habitat clumps within a group. Retain most trees with squirrel nests and leave the nearest 3-8 trees with interlocking crowns surrounding the nest tree.

• Interspaces must be created between tree groups. The distance between leave groups is based on the distance between the dripline of adjacent groups. The dripline is the outermost branches of the group. Do not just look at the bole of leave trees to determine group spacing. As a general rule, distance between driplines of groups should be variable, and range between 60-100 feet. Occasionally, interspaces can be larger with a maximum width of 200 feet.

• Create interspaces to remove patches of trees with dwarf mistletoe.

• Single trees may be retained occasionally in forest interspaces, especially large trees, desirable quality trees of any size, or trees representing a deficit VSS class, as long as the grouped structure of the stand is not compromised. Do not leave single trees if they will become a ladder fuel to leave groups. Where single trees are retained, create wider interspaces between tree groups (80-200 feet).

• Remove all ponderosa pine except yellow pines 33’ feet around all large Gamble oak trees greater than 5” DRC

Average leave BA of ponderosa pine within the stand should be about 60 to 70 sq/ft.

Table 4. Stocking guide for leave tree groups (ponderosa pine only) of Trees Per Group for Different Group Sizes1

Typical Intra-Group (within-group)

Densities1

VSS

DBH

Range

1/10 acre group

¼ acre group

½ acre group

¾ acre group acre group Basal Area

(ft2/acre) 3 5 - 11.9 15 38 76 114 152 60

4 12 - 17.9” 8 20 41 61 81 100 5 18 - 23.9” 4 10 21 31 42 100 6 24”+ 3 7 14 21 28 110

1 These are typical values required to achieve the desired stand-level stocking for the midpoint diameter. Variation between groups can occur and is highly desirable; however, ranges should center on these values. If trees are larger, then the midpoint diameter, less trees would be retained; if trees are smaller, then more trees would be retained.

SNAGS/DOWN LOGS: Retain and recruit snags to manage for an average of 2 snags/acre (> 18” DBH). Do not mark totally dead trees. Fading/dying trees greater than 18” DBH may be marked with a “W” as a wildlife tree.

Non-Commercial Thinning (ponderosa pine <6” dbh): DxP. Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the

Table 4: Tree Quality Standards wildlife habitat purposes such as future snag recruitment)

– always leave when VSS class is deficit co-dominates better intermediates

DISEASE

Barking of ponderosa pine < 50% of bole circumference.

Fire kill of cambium < 50% of bole

Barking of ponderosa pine >50% of bole circumference.

Any significant top killing. Fire kill of cambium >50 % of bole circumference, or the scorch reaches into the upper 1/3 of the

Pines 6-9” dbh with a DMR ≤ 2

Pines 9”+ dbh with a DMR ≤ 3

Pines < 6” dbh with any sign of infection

Pines 6-9” dbh with a DMR > 2

Pines 9”+ dbh with a DMR > 3 sweeps, and tight forks which are <30% of total tree height are acceptable tops)

SOUNDNESS

WILDLIFE TREES Retain all snags greater than 18” DBH. Retain trees greater than 18” with fading crowns for wildlife tree recruitment (2 trees/acre)

Table 5: Documentation

FACTS 4220 – Commercial Thin

KV N/A

FSVeg Spatial Verify stand polygon in spatial database

Planned Future Treatments Maintenance broadcast burn – once every 10-20 years

Monitoring Hydrologist may initiate BMP monitoring during implementation tm en t P la n Silvicultural Treatment: Free thinning (Savanna Restoration)

Id en tit y Project Name NEPA Forest / District

LO Pocket 4FRI Coconino NF / Flagstaff RD Prescribed by: Andy Stevenson Date: 9/24/18 Location(s) Site(s) Cutting Unit Acres Certified by: Andy Stevenson Date: 9/24/18 000128 0001 03 ~285 Treatment Method: Ground-based

Constraints and Other Considerations:

Retain all Juniper and Gambel oak and yellow/old pine. See Old Tree

Implementation Plan.

regeneration group openings.

La yo ut /M ar

Marking verified by: Date:

N ot

STAND DESCRIPTION: The stands are in a southwestern frequent-fire ponderosa pine forest. Current overstory consists of ponderosa pine. Stand structure is a mix of even-age and uneven-aged stand conditions. Ponderosa pine regeneration is present in moderate quantities. Groups and Individual Yellow pines are distributed across the unit. Site productivity is moderate to high. The stand is at full site occupancy. There is <1 logs/acre >12” in diameter and .5 snags greater than 18” dbh per acre. There is a msot of the smaller <6” dbh ponderosa pine are suppressed or younger undesirable. Junipers occur in low numbers throughout the unit.

Species Measure <1”-5” 5-12” 12-18” 18-24” 24+” Total

Ponderosa pine TPA 72 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 30 36 27 7 100

Gambel oak TPA 64 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 0.3 1.2 1.5 .6 3.6

Juniper TPA 4 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 0.6 0.3 0 0 0.9

Total TPA 140 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 31 37.5 28.5 7.6 105

Stand structure is a balanced uneven-aged forest. Species composition is dominated by ponderosa pine. Trees are grouped following pre-settlement tree density and patterns. Manage for open reference conditions with 10 to 30% of the area under ponderosa pine and deciduous tree crowns. Groups of trees will be created following pre-settlement evidences on the ground. Tree groups will be separated by large grassy interspaces, with forest interspaces comprising 70% to 90% of the stand area. Tree groups and interspaces will be irregularly sized and shaped. Old age trees exist and are sustained across the stand. Forest insects and pathogens occur within characteristic levels of severity. Low severity surface fire occurs at intervals of 10-20 years.

Short-Term Objectives (expected post-treatment outcome) The current stand is greatly overstocked and dominated by mid-aged ponderosa pine. This treatment will move towards the long-term desired conditions, within the constraints of the current stand. The treatment objectives are to:

1. Reduce the risk of uncharacteristic, stand-replacing wildfire by decreasing stand density, ladder fuels, and crown fuel continuity. Create conditions conducive to the reintroduction of low severity surface fire by creating a mosaic of tree groups, individual trees and interspaces comprised of grass/forb/shrubs.

Slope Aspect Elevation Soil Description Relative Productivity (SI)

0-5% Flat/S 6,800 TEU 582; basalt parent material Moderate, ponderosa pine site index = 70 (Minor)

Habitat Type (s) Ecological Unit Hydrology

PIPO Ponderosa Pine Forest Upper Sycamore Creek and Volunteer Canyon 6th code watersheds

DM Severity (DMI) % Area Infected Other Damaging Agents/Severity 4 5

2. Create a forest structure and composition that more closely resembles the conditions that existed prior to interruption of the historic fire regime (uneven-aged, grouped trees with interspaces, dominated by shade intolerant/fire resistant species).

3. Improve forest health by decreasing inter-tree competition and overall stand density and dwarf mistletoe occurrence.

4. Restore large grassy interspaces similar to historic reference conditions with with open interspaces occupying 70 to 90 percent of the treatment area.

5. Manage for old trees in order to have and sustain as much old forest structure as possible across the landscape by following the old tree implementation plan. Manage for the sustainability of individual/isolated old

Estimated Current

Composition Expected Post Treatment

Composition Desired Future Composition Ponderosa pine 95 % 85 % 85 % Gambel oak 4 % 10 % 10 % Juniper 1 % 5 % 5 %

Location(s): 000128 Site(s): 0001 Acres: ~285

Silvicultural Treatment:

Use free thinning to develop variable-sized leave tree groups and interspaces, and to reduce overall density. Interspaces should be created across 70% to 90% of the stand area.

Implementation Instructions (in order of priority) Leave Tree Mark example (all ponderosa pine ≥ 6” dbh)

1) General:

• Retain all yellow pine, juniper, and Gambel oak, regardless of form, health, or vigor. This supersedes all other specifications.

• Retain ponderosa >18” dbh with existing cavities, dead tops, and lightning scars as wildlife trees.

• Retain inaccessible trees and trees that cannot be cut without causing significant damage to residual trees (bole damage to trees >6” dbh/drc or top breakage to trees >9” dbh/drc).

3) Leave trees based on pre-settlement evidences:

• Retain post-settlement ponderosa > 6” dbh at a 1:1 ratio with pre-settlement evidences. Priority for leaving post-settlement (replacement) trees is as follows:

o The largest desirable ponderosa within 50 feet of the evidence o The largest acceptable ponderosa within 50 feet of the evidence

• If no ponderosa > 6” dbh exist within 50 feet of the evidence, do not leave a replacement tree (Note - Count a boundary tree within 50 feet of a pre-settlement evidence as the replacement tree for that evidence)

Pre-settlement Evidences: indicators of trees standing at the time of Euro-American settlement that are no longer present as living trees; includes yellow pine snags; large, usually heavily decomposed, downed logs; high stumps with intact heartwood; large low stumps with evidence of yellow bark; and large stump holes.

Average leave BA of ponderosa pine within the stand should range between 10 sq/ft to 30 sq/ft.

Figure 1a. Examples of pre-settlement evidences.

Figure 1b. Examples of stumps that do not constitute pre-settlement evidences.

High stumps with intact heartwood – most common

Large, old, uprooted log with heartwood intact. Yellow pine snag

Large low stump with yellow bark

Low Stump with rotten heartwood and no yellow bark. Oak stumps.

SNAGS/DOWN LOGS: Retain and recruit snags to manage for an average of 2 snags/acre (> 18” DBH). Do not mark totally dead trees. Fading/dying trees greater than 18” DBH may be marked with a “W” as a wildlife tree.

Non-Commercial Thinning (ponderosa pine <6” dbh): DxP. Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the wildlife habitat purposes such as future snag recruitment or nesting clumps) co-dominates better intermediates

DISEASE

Barking of ponderosa pine < 50% of bole circumference.

Fire kill of cambium < 50% of bole

Barking of ponderosa pine >50% of bole circumference.

Any significant top killing. Fire kill of cambium >50 % of bole circumference, or the scorch reaches into the upper 1/3 of the sweeps, and tight forks which are tops)

<30% of total tree height are acceptable and otherwise has good vigor).

SOUNDNESS

WILDLIFE TREES Retain all snags greater than 18” DBH. Retain trees greater than 18” with dead tops or fading crowns for

Table 6: Documentation

FACTS 4220 – free thinning

KV N/A

FSVeg Spatial Verify stand polygon in spatial database

Planned Future Treatments Maintenance broadcast burn – once every 10-20 years

Monitoring Hydrologist may initiate BMP monitoring during implementation.

tm en t P la n Silvicultural Treatment: Group Selection with Free Thinning

(UEA 40)

Id en tit y

Project Name NEPA Forest / District LO Pocket 4FRI Coconino NF / Flagstaff RD

Prescribed by: Andy Stevenson Date: 8/16/18 Location(s) Site(s) Cutting Unit Acres

Certified by: Andy Stevenson Date: 8/16/18 000128 0005, 0006, 007, 0010 4 850

Treatment Method: Ground-based

Constraints and Other Considerations:

Retain all Juniper and Gambel oak and yellow/old pine. See Old Tree

Implementation Plan.

Unit contains Grassland restoration treatments.

The eastern portion of the stand will be managed for the high-end of

NRV.

Notes for Layout/Prep:

You may exclude areas that are currently at or below 60 BA, potentially in the NE corner.

Follow-up Treatment (next 5 years):

Burn piles, broadcast burning, reforestation stocking surveys in regeneration group openings.

La yo ut /M ar

Grassland Treatment: LTM

Layout completed by: Date:

Marking verified by: Date:

N ot es

LTM example location: stand 0001280007 (In the northwest corner), and LTM should be done for YP’s and evidence replacements in the grasslands.

STAND DESCRIPTION: The stands are in a southwestern frequent-fire ponderosa pine forest. Current overstory consists of ponderosa pine. Stand structure is relatively uneven-aged and there is an abundance of mid-aged trees. Ponderosa pine regeneration is present in moderate quantities. Groups and Individual Yellow pines are distributed across the unit.

Site productivity is moderate. The stand is at full site occupancy. There is an average of 3 logs >12” in diameter and .5 snags greater than 18” dbh per acre. There is a mix of smaller (<6” dbh) suppressed, younger undesirable, and younger desirable trees throughout the unit.

Species Measure <1”-5” 5-12” 12-18” 18-24” 24+” Total

Ponderosa pine TPA 53 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 38 56 12 6 112

Gambel oak TPA 0 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 0 0 0 0 0

Juniper TPA 2 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 0 0 .2 0 .2

Total TPA 55 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 38 56 12 6 112

Stand structure is a balanced uneven-aged forest. Species composition is dominated by ponderosa pine. Trees are grouped and randomly distributed with forest interspaces comprising 40% to 55% of the stand area. Interspace width between tree groups will average from 60 to 100 feet. Interspaces will be composed of a robust native herbaceous layer.

Tree groups and interspaces will be irregularly sized and shaped. Vegetative structural stage (VSS) 4, 5 and 6 tree groups will have interlocking crowns. Forest density is variable, and ranges from 50 to 70 square feet of basal area overall inclusive of groups, interspaces, and regeneration openings. Old age trees exist and are sustained across the stand.

Snags, logs and woody debris are scattered throughout the stand. The forest structure and spatial distribution provides suitable foraging habitat for the northern goshawk. Forest insects and pathogens occur within characteristic levels of severity. Low severity surface fire occurs at intervals of 10-20 years.

Short-Term Objectives (expected post-treatment outcome) The current stand is overstocked and dominated by mid-aged ponderosa pine. This treatment will move towards the long-term desired conditions, within the constraints of the current stand. The treatment objectives are to:

Slope Aspect Elevation Soil Description Relative Productivity (SI)

0-5% Flat 6,700 TEU 55, 582, 586; basalt parent material Moderate, ponderosa pine site index = 70 (Minor)

Habitat Type (s) Ecological Unit Hydrology

PIPO/BOGR Ponderosa Pine Forest Upper Sycamore Creek and Volunteer Canyon 6th code watersheds

DM Severity (DMI) % Area Infected Other Damaging Agents/Severity 2 5

1. Reduce the risk of uncharacteristic, stand-replacing wildfire by decreasing stand density, ladder fuels, and crown fuel continuity. Create conditions conducive to the reintroduction of low severity surface fire.

2. Improve forest health by decreasing inter-tree competition and overall stand density. Improve residual tree growth, health and vigor.

3. Improve suitable foraging habitat for the northern goshawk by moving towards a balanced uneven-aged stand structure in terms of VSS (age class) distribution, creating interspaces between tree groups, maintaining 40+% canopy cover (interlocking crowns or nearly so) in VSS4 - VSS6 tree groups, and retaining live reserve trees > 18” dbh for future snag recruitment (2 snags per acre). Create regeneration openings over 10% of the stand area.

4. Manage for old trees in order to have and sustain as much old forest structure as possible across the landscape.

Maximize the retention of large ponderosa pine trees. Manage for the sustainability of individual/isolated old

Estimated Current

Composition Expected Post Treatment

Composition Desired Future Composition Ponderosa pine 99.9 % 99.8 % 99.9 %

Juniper .1 % .2 % .1 %

Location(s): 000128 Site(s): 0005, 0006, 0007, 0010 Acres: ~850

Silvicultural Treatment:

Use group selection cutting to regenerate ponderosa pine throughout the stand. Create openings to establish regeneration across approximately 10% of the manageable stand area.

Use free thinning between regeneration groups to develop variable-sized and shaped tree groups and interspaces, and to reduce stand density. Tree groups should be created across 45% of the stand area. Interspaces should be created across 45% of the stand area. The post treatment stand (all species) basal area will average 50 square feet/acre.

Implementation Instructions (in order of priority) DxP (Tablet) with Leave Tree Mark example (all ponderosa pine ≥ 6” dbh)

1) Retain All Yellow/Old Age Pine and All Gambel Oak

2) Individual/Isolated Old Ponderosa Pine Reduce the crown competition and increase the growing space of old ponderosa pine as identified in the Old Tree Implementation Plan.

• Cut all intermediate and suppressed ponderosa pine <18” dbh (except yellow pine) within 50 feet of the base of yellow/old age pine that would eliminate direct crown competition on 2 of the 4 sides of the old tree.

3) Regeneration Openings

• Create irregularly shaped regeneration openings across 10% of the unit.

• Openings shall be placed in areas containing no infected yellow pines that will be surrounded by little to no mistletoe infection after opening is created. Openings may contain Gambel oak/juniper. Priority for opening placement shall be as follows:

1. In areas with moderate to abundant (>10 TPA) desirable young ponderosa <6” dbh.

2. In areas overstocked with ponderosa from the most prevalent size classes (9-14” dbh).

3. In small pockets of mistletoe infection (<1 acre) where all visibly infected trees plus a 30-40 foot buffer

(to capture latent infection) can be removed.

• Create irregularly shaped and sized regeneration openings. Openings shall generally range from 0.3 to 0.1 acre in size and will be no larger than 4 acres or 200 feet wide. In openings larger than 1 acre, retain one group of 3-5 reserve (seed) trees (focus on leaving the most vigorous/desirable trees). Variability in opening size is desirable.

4) Forest Matrix (Tree Groups and Interspaces) Selected trees will be arranged in groups across approximately 45% of the stand area. Tree groups will vary in shape, size and density.

• Thin ponderosa >6” dbh (except yellow pine), leaving trees in irregularly shaped groups.

• Large trees (dominant and co-dominant trees) will be the basis for forming groups. Choose the best formed and healthy trees to leave. Retain desirable quality trees and sufficient acceptable quality trees (see Table 5) to meet group stocking targets (see Table 4). Attempt to remove non-desirable quality trees, unless they are necessary to meet group stocking targets or have interlocking crowns with oak. Strive for irregular tree spacing, including some trees with interlocking crowns.

• Vary group size from 0.1 to 1 acre(s), with the following distribution:

(a) 40% 0.1-0.25 acre (b) 30% 0.25-0.5 acre (c) 30% 0.5-1.0 acre High-end NRV area: (a) 30% 0.1-0.25 acre (b) 30% 0.25-0.5 acre (c) 40% 0.5-1.0 acre

• Within groups, thin to the average densities shown in Table 4, generally retaining desirable and acceptable trees (Table 5) from across the range of available size classes. Additional non-desirable trees may be left if needed to meet density targets. Strive for irregular spacing within groups and the retention of some trees with interlocking crowns.

• Distance between groups, measured dripline to dripline at the narrowest point, shall average 60-100 feet (occasionally up to 120 feet), and within the High-end NRV: 60-80 feet (occasionally up to 100 feet). Interspaces may contain Gambel oak/juniper.

• Single trees may be retained occasionally in forest interspaces, especially large trees or desirable quality trees of any size, as long as the grouped structure of the stand is not compromised. Where single trees are retained, create wider interspaces between tree groups (100-200 feet).

• Retain ponderosa >18” dbh with existing cavities, dead tops and lightning scars as wildlife trees

5) Grassland Treatment Areas

• Leave all Yellow Pines

• Retain one tree within 50 feet of each pre-settlement evidence, focusing on the most desirable tree available for retention (will be Leave Tree Marked).

Table 4: Stocking Guide for Leave Tree Groups

Diameter of the VSS Class1

Typical Intra-Group (within-group)

Densities1

VSS

Class

DBH

Range

(inches)

1/10 acre group

¼ acre group

½ acre group

¾ acre group acre group Basal Area2

(ft2/acre) 3 5 - 11.9 15 38 76 114 152 50

4 12 - 17.9 7 18 37 55 73 90 5 18 - 23.9 4 10 21 31 42 100 6 24 + 3 7 14 21 28 110

1 These are typical values for the desired condition; variation can occur and is desired. However, ranges should center on these values. If trees are larger than the midpoint diameter, less trees would be retained.

2 Densities are equivalent to 50-70 overall stand BA (with 45% interspace and 10% regeneration openings). Densities meet and exceed canopy cover requirements of 40% canopy cover in VSS 4, VSS 5 and VSS 6 classes.

SNAGS/DOWN LOGS: Retain and recruit snags to manage for an average of 2 snags/acre (> 18” DBH). Do not mark totally dead trees. Fading/dying trees greater than 18” DBH may be marked with a “W” as a wildlife tree.

GPS the location of all regeneration openings (point or polygon)

Non-Commercial Thinning (ponderosa pine <6” dbh): DxP. Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the wildlife habitat purposes such as future snag recruitment or nesting clumps) co-dominates better intermediates

DISEASE

Barking of ponderosa pine < 50% of bole circumference.

Fire kill of cambium < 50% of bole

Barking of ponderosa pine >50% of bole circumference.

Any significant top killing. Fire kill of cambium >50 % of bole circumference, or the scorch reaches into the upper 1/3 of the sweeps, and tight forks which are <30% of total tree height are acceptable tops)

SOUNDNESS

WILDLIFE TREES Retain all snags greater than 18” DBH. Retain trees greater than 18” with dead tops or fading crowns for

Table 6: Documentation

FACTS 4152 – regeneration need 4220 – free thinning

KV N/A

FSVeg Spatial Verify stand polygon in spatial database

Planned Future Treatments Maintenance broadcast burn – once every 10-20 years

Monitoring Hydrologist may initiate BMP monitoring during implementation.

tm en t P la n Silvicultural Treatment: Free Thinning

Id en tit y

Project Name NEPA Forest / District LO Pocket 4FRI Coconino NF / Flagstaff RD

Prescribed by: Kristine Murphy Date: 10/16/18 Location(s) Site(s) Cutting Unit Acres Certified by: Kristine Murphy Date: 10/16/18 000128 0004 5 128 Treatment Method: Ground-based Slash Treatment: Whole tree, tops to landing Skid Trails: Designated skid trails at discretion of administrator Constraints and Other Considerations:

Retain all Juniper, Gambel oak and yellow/old pine. See Old Tree

Implementation Plan.

La yo ut /M ar

Marking verified by: Date:

N ot es

LTM example is the area north of FR530.

STAND DESCRIPTION: The stand is in a southwestern frequent-fire ponderosa pine forest. Current species composition is dominated by ponderosa pine, Gambel oak is common and juniper is rare. Stand structure is uneven-aged and the majority of the trees are mid-aged. Ponderosa pine regeneration is abundant within canopy gaps. Groups and individual yellow pines are patchily distributed across the unit. Site productivity is moderate. The stand is at full site occupancy.

Species Measure <1”-5” 5-12” 12-18” 18-24” 24+” Total

Ponderosa pine TPA 97 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 60 41 15 5 121

Gambel oak TPA 133 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 1 3 2 0 6

Juniper TPA 3 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 1 0 0 0 1

Total TPA 233 Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled Not sampled

BA NA 62 44 17 5 128

Long-term stand structure is a balanced uneven-aged forest. Species composition is dominated by ponderosa pine with a Gambel oak and juniper component. Trees are grouped and randomly distributed with forest interspaces comprising 10% to 25% of the stand area. Interspace width between tree groups will average from 25 to 40 feet. Interspaces will be composed of a robust native herbaceous layer. Tree groups and interspaces will be irregularly sized and shaped.

Vegetative structural stage (VSS) 4, 5 and 6 tree groups will have interlocking crowns. Forest density is variable, and ranges from 70 to 90 square feet of basal area overall. Old age trees exist and are sustained across the stand. Snags, logs and woody debris are scattered throughout the stand. The forest structure and spatial distribution provides suitable foraging habitat for the northern goshawk. Forest insects and pathogens occur within characteristic levels of severity.

Low severity surface fire occurs at intervals of 10-20 years.

Short-Term Objectives (expected post-treatment outcome) The current stand is overstocked and dominated by mid-aged ponderosa pine. This treatment will move towards the long-term desired conditions, within the constraints of the current stand. The treatment objectives are to:

Slope Aspect Elevation Soil Description Relative Productivity (SI)

0-10% Flat/SE 6,800 TEU 582; basalt parent material Moderate, ponderosa pine site index = 70 (Minor)

Habitat Type (s) Ecological Unit Hydrology

PIPO Ponderosa Pine Forest Upper Sycamore Creek and Volunteer Canyon 6th code watersheds

DM Severity (DMI) % Area Infected Other Damaging Agents/Severity

1. Reduce the risk of uncharacteristic, stand-replacing wildfire by decreasing stand density, ladder fuels, and crown fuel continuity. Create conditions conducive to the reintroduction of low severity surface fire.

2. Improve forest health by decreasing inter-tree competition and overall stand density. Improve residual tree growth, health and vigor.

3. Improve suitable foraging habitat for the northern goshawk by moving towards an uneven-aged stand structure, creating interspaces between tree groups, maintaining 40+% canopy cover (interlocking crowns or nearly so) in VSS4 - VSS6 tree groups, and retaining live reserve trees > 18” dbh for future snag recruitment (2 snags per acre).

4. Manage for old trees in order to have and sustain as much old forest structure as possible across the landscape.

Maximize the retention of large ponderosa pine trees. Manage for the sustainability of individual/isolated old

Estimated Current

Composition Expected Post Treatment

Composition Desired Future Composition Ponderosa pine 94 % 87 % 85 % Gambel oak 5 % 11 % 10 % Juniper 1 % 2 % 5 %

Location(s): 000128 Site(s): 0004 Acres: 128

Silvicultural Treatment:

Use free thinning to develop variable-sized and shaped tree groups and interspaces, and to reduce stand density. Tree groups should be created across 80% of the stand area. Interspaces should be created across 20% of the stand area. The post treatment stand (all species) basal area will average 80 square feet/acre.

Implementation Instructions (in order of priority) DxP (Tablet) with Leave Tree Mark example (all ponderosa pine ≥ 6” dbh)

1) Retain All Yellow/Old Age Pine, Gambel oak and Juniper

2) Individual/Isolated Old Ponderosa Pine Reduce the crown competition and increase the growing space of old ponderosa pine as identified in the Old Tree Implementation Plan.

• Cut all intermediate or suppressed ponderosa pine <18” dbh (except yellow pine) within 50 feet of the base of yellow/old age pine that would eliminate direct crown competition on 2 of the 4 sides of the old tree.

Selected trees will be arranged in groups across approximately 80% of the stand area. Tree groups will vary in shape, size and density.

• Groups shall generally range from 0.1 to 1 acre in size. Vary the size, shape and density of tree groups.

• Leave Large trees (dominant and co-dominant trees) will be the basis for forming groups. Choose the best formed and healthy trees to leave.