Horse_Creek_Task_Order_0003_Package.pdf

Updated thru FAC 27 Requisition # Contract No. Project Name: Horse Creek Forestry Project Task Order No. 0003

Contractor: Issuing and Billing Office:

Central California Acquisition Service Area 631 Coyote Street Nevada City, CA 95959

Item No.

Description Qty Order Unit

Unit Price Amount

1 Unit Layout 35 Units

2 Unit Boundary Designation 55 Miles

3 Area Determination 55 Miles

4 Cruise Design & Plan 1 Job

5 Timber Cruising 1,771 Acres

Remarks: See Attachments for additional terms and conditions.

Terms and Conditions of the Professional Forestry Services Contract are incorporated by reference Show your labor mix in your proposal Submit proposals in accordance with “Evaluation Criteria,” on page 3.

Total Price:

Contractor: (Name and Signature)

Print Name:

Requested By: (Name and Signature)

COR: Ben Haupt 530-841-4419 Fund Authorization (Name and Signature)

Line Officer Ordered By: (Name and Signature)

Contracting Officer: Raymond Garleb Order Date: Job Code:

Original to CO, CC to Contractor, B&F and COR If this order is Greater Than $2,500.00, it is Not Valid until Signed by the Contracting Officer

Horse Creek Forestry Project Klammath National Forest

Oak Knoll Ranger District

AVAILABILITY: Ability to complete the project in 60 calendar days after Notice to Proceed is signed. If the completion time frame is not within your capabilities, please provide the time frame you would propose to complete this task.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this task order is to secure services for unit layout, unit boundary designation, area determination, cruise design and plan, timber marking on the Klamath National Forest. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, materials, services, and any incidentals necessary to perform the work in accordance with the attached specifications.

The contractor must be a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) by the State of California or shall employ the services of a State of California Registered Professional Forester to supervise this task. The RPF shall certify that all completed fieldwork and documentation meets contract specifications.

PROJECT START DATE: Work is estimated to begin on, start date approximately:

June 01, 2017

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE: August 01, 2017

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:

Oak Knoll R.D., and occurs in portions of various sections:

• Township 46 North, Range 10 West, Sections 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 16

• Township 46 North, Range 11 West, Sections 12 & 13

• Township 47 North, Range 9 West, Sections 19 & 30

• Township 47 North, Range 10 West, Sections 11, 13, 14, 15, 22, 24, 32, 33 & 34

• Township 47 North, Range 11 West, Section 34; Mount Diablo Meridian.

ACCESSIBILITY: To access the project area from Yreka, take Interstate 5 north to state highway 96.

Head west on state highway 96 until reaching Horse Creek. Turn right onto county road 8F003 to access Forest Service roads in the project area.

SPECIFIC WORK REQUIREMENTS:

1. Description of work:

The purpose of this task order is to secure services for unit layout, unit boundary designation, area determination, cruise design and plan, timber cruising, and tree marking on the Klamath National Forest. The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, materials, services, and any incidentals necessary to perform the work in accordance with the attached specifications.

2. Unit Layout:

Oak Knoll Ranger District

Locate and flag cutting units as identified on timber sale area planning maps using aerial photos, topographical maps, and GPS.

Sketch a map of each unit and include existing landings and skid trails. Include logging feasibility and logging system. Logging feasibility maps should include proposed landings, major skid trails, and skyline corridors. Include access to units via existing roads, reconstructed roads or new road construction (government will provide a map showing roads that are covered under the environmental document). Show locations of streams, stream class, survey monuments, areas that can’t be logged, and sensitive areas such as landslides or other areas of resource concerns.

Consider economic viability for each unit. Evaluate volumes per acre and species composition. The minimum harvestable volumes per acre by logging are as follows: Skyline 8-10 mbf/acre and ground based 5-10 mbf/acre. Skyline units will not include acres that require an intermediate support.

Contractor is advised to do a preliminary survey of each unit prior to installing boundaries and notify the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) if notable differences exist in logical unit placement when compared to mapped locations on timber sale area planning map. Changes in boundary locations shall be made if necessary for logistics, feasibility of logging system, or resource protection. Significant changes must be approved by the COR. Proposed changes that would include areas outside of mapped boundaries may not be possible due to lack of environmental documentation coverage.

Boundaries of all cutting units shall be designated with inter-visible solid blue and solid white flagging hung together. All contract unit boundaries will be clearly located on the ground.

Retention areas will be flagged with inter-visible red and white striped flagging for general snag retention and blue and white striped flagging for riparian reserve retention. Retention areas needed flagging will be provided to the contractor on the sale area planning map.

The cutting unit corners and boundary intersections with roads shall be identified as follows: Write sale name, unit number, and location of corner (for example Smoky TS, Unit#100, SW Corner) with permanent marker on flagging and plastic signs provided by the government.

3. Unit Boundary Designation:

All contract unit boundaries will be clearly located on the ground. Painted boundary trees will be inter-visible, will not be designated for harvest, and will be of a size that they will remain standing after logging. The paint application should provide for clear and unquestionable placement of the unit boundaries. Boundaries along permanent roads can be left unmarked where the features are so conspicuous that they can be identified from the sale area map alone. Boundary leave trees will not be included in the tally of leave trees marked as described under section 6.

Cutting unit boundaries shall be designated with ORANGE paint and snag retention areas shall be designated with PINK paint. Tree marking paint must contain the registered tracer element, which will be provided by the government. Painted boundaries shall follow the flagged lines. All painted boundary trees will have attention marks applied at or above eye level and two stump marks below stump height. The line of sight between painted boundary trees is considered the official boundary. Painted boundaries shall be identified with plastic signs every 200 feet on leave trees along boundaries. Plastic signs shall contain the sale name and unit number. The figure below is an example of a correctly painted boundary tree.

Boundary Tree Marking

• 3 Slanted Lines Facing into unit.

• Two Directional lines facing previous and next boundary tree.

• Don’t forget Butt marks & identifier.

• Do Not paint Stumps or Rocks

• Paint the largest, best trees available.

4. Area Determination:

Every cutting unit boundary shall be mapped with a global positioning system device (GPS).

Mapping and acreage determination shall meet the direction set forth in FSH 2409.12 Chapter 50.

The polygon shapes must represent the unit boundaries on the ground. Shapefiles shall be projected in Datum NAD83 Zone 10.

The GPS data shall be in a format compatible with ArcMap version 10.3 or with the version the forest is currently using. Final GPS data shall be exported by the Contractor as shapefiles (.shp).

Contractor shall maintain a secure backup of GPS data for 60 days following transfer to the Forest Service to allow for verification of data.

If conditions on specific units make it impractical or impossible to receive sufficient satellite signals, traditional survey techniques (distance and bearing), or a combination of GPS and traditional survey techniques may be used. Recollect data if the established standards are not met.

Cutting units shall have a GPS area error of less than 10 percent of the area measured. If a traditional distance and direction survey is implemented, the error of closure must be better than 1:50 on units less than 20 acres and better than 1:100 on units greater than 20 acres. Depending on device and GPS processing software used, the use of the Forest Service software Two Trails may be required. Distance and direction surveys not meeting the above requirements shall have a verification traverse. A different crew must run the verification traverse than performed the original survey. A distance-direction survey that does not meet the error standards above can only be accepted if the difference in acreage between the original survey and the verification survey is less than 10 percent.

Contractor will provide documentation with the applicable survey method, equipment used to traverse units, canopy coverage estimates, accuracy based on receiver and conditions from the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) matrix, projection, coordinate system, and datum. Include names of personnel responsible for data collection, list the programs used to process the data, and note any changes or corrections. If a verification traverse was done include both original and verification traverses.

The MTDC matrix can be found at:

https://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/measure/geospatial/index.shtml

5. Cruise Design and Plan:

The cruise will be designed to achieve a maximum sampling error of 20 percent according to FSH

2409.12 Chapter 40 for scaled sales.

Document the estimated volume by stratum, coefficient of variation, and the method used to determine these values (Pre-cruise, stand exam, or similar sale). Determine which sampling method will be the most efficient and economical from the list below. Major species groups within each stratum, which are those that comprise 10% or more of the estimated sale value, must be in separate sample groups. The cruise must be designed for a minimum of 20 measure trees per sample group per stratum. Species with the same appraised value including WF and RF, PP and JP, and SP and WWP should be in the same sample group.

At a minimum, the sale should be stratified by the planned logging system, marking/designation method, and product.

The cruise plan should contain a brief description of the management objectives and the legal description of the project area. Include all calculations made to allocate the sampling error, the number of samples needed by strata and sub-population, plot size or BAF if applicable, population distribution by strata and sample group, and selection frequency by sample group.

https://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/measure/geospatial/index.shtml

Provide written cruise instructions on how plots or measure trees will be identified on the ground.

Include instruction on how to measure plots that fall near the unit boundary. These instructions must be approved prior to implementation. The CO can provide sample instructions upon request.

Ensure a consistent method of measuring boundary plots is described in the cruise instructions.

Acceptable methods include mirage, walk-through, and half plots. Plots falling outside of treatment area boundaries will not be measured.

Acceptable Cruise Methods

The Contractor will choose the appropriate cruise system(s) from the following methods, which are described in FSH 2409.12, chapter 30. Unless otherwise agreed, use area-based cruise methods for strata with significant amounts of either leave tree marking or designations that do not include paint, such as by designation by spacing or prescription. Use tree-based cruise methods for strata with significant amounts of individually marked cut trees.

a) 100 Percent Cruise (100)

b) Sample Tree (STR)

c) Fixed Plots (FIX)

d) Point Sampling (Variable Plot) (PNT)

e) 3P Sampling (3P)

f) Point Count Measure (PCM)

g) Fixed Count Measure Tree (FCM)

Cruise instructions must include a list of product minimum specifications and use the following minimums:

Minimum product merchantability specifications for sawlogs are as follows:

Minimum Minimum Percent Top DBH Length Sound DIB (Inches) (Feet) (%) (Inches) All Conifer Species 14.0 10.0 25% 8.0

Provide a list of cruisers and their unique stump marks.

If it becomes necessary to modify the cruise plan after implementation has begun, the contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and prepare an addendum to the plan. Add the date of the addendum to the cover page of the plan. Follow the standards and guidelines in FSH 2409.12 chapter 40.

6. Timber Marking Specifications All marking shall meet the silvicultural prescriptions, standards and guidelines in the Timber

Cruising Handbook WO and R5 Supplements of FSH 2409.12, Chapter 70, and the forest’s Timber Theft Prevention Plan (TTPP).

Contractor shall use Silvicultural prescriptions and/or Marking Guidelines as follows:

a. The method of designating trees will be leave tree mark (LTM). Minimum sawlog diameter breast height (DBH) is 14.0 inches for all conifer species.

b. Within Salvage Harvest units trees with less than a 70 percent probability of dying within the next three to five years would be leave tree marked. Report #RO-11-01 “Marking Guidelines for Fire-Injured Trees in California” (Smith and Cluck 2011) would be used to make this determination. A tally of the number of these trees marked will be recorded by unit.

c. Individual snags that possess multiple high quality habitat characteristics such as signs of decay and defect, cavities, broken or multiple tops, very large lateral branches and flattened canopy will be marked as a leave tree unless they pose a safety hazard to a road. A GPS point of these trees will be recorded.

d. In addition, trees not meeting utilization standards stated in the timber cruising section will be marked as a leave tree unless they pose a safety hazard to a road. A tally of the number of these trees marked will be recorded by unit.

e. LTM units will be marked with ORANGE tracer paint. Paint a highly visible attention band 2” wide at eye level. The attention mark shall be visible from 360 degrees and from at least 50 feet, unless stated otherwise in specific project task orders. The contractor shall paint two personalized stump marks on all marked trees. The stump marks shall be placed in the furrows of the bark at ground level on the downhill and uphill sides of the trees. Stump marks should touch the ground and be at least 2” wide.

f. Measure tree designations for trees not in plots will include a painted band approximately 1 foot above the original mark and painted cruise tree numbers at eye level and on opposite sides of the tree. If insurance trees are part of this project, paint the same as a cruise tree but add an

(I) in front of the cruise tree number. Hang several flags around the cruise tree. Write the cruise tree number, unit number and cruiser’s initials in permanent ink on one of the attention flags. GPS or mark on a map the location of the cruise tree.

g. Use BLACK tracer paint to cancel a mark on a tree. Black paint should cover the majority of the original painted color. The original marking shall be fully obscured so it will be obvious that this tree was deleted from the timber sale. The black paint must be visible from all directions. Note areas with extensive deleted trees on a map.

h. Record the amount of marking paint used by color and batch number for each unit.

PAINT, ISSUANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY:

a) The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or inspectors shall provide tree marking paint containing registered tracer(s). Tree marking paint is a U.S.D.A. Forest Service accountable material and shall be kept secured at all times. Access to paint shall be limited to the contractor and/or designated representative. All Government issued paint shall be locked up when stored or transported in a vehicle, and be removed from any vehicle while vehicle is being used by someone other than the designated individual(s) to whom the tracer paint was issued. The Forest Service may inspect contractor's security of paint and accountability records at any time.

b) The Contractor will notify the government of the quantity of paint needed prior to commencing work. The paint needed for one week at a time will be transferred only to the Contractor, or designated representative at the designated U.S. Forest Service office during normal business hours. The Contractor will maintain a daily inventory of all paint cans. All cans received, used and returned by the contractor must be accounted for. The inventory will be signed and submitted to the COR on a weekly basis. All paint cans must be returned to the Forest Service. Failure to maintain adequate safeguards and security over the paint may result in a law enforcement investigation and/or may result in contractor liability for special damages (i.e. fine $1500.00 per can and up), and/or default of the contract.

c) Empty paint cans shall be returned to the Forest Service ready for disposal. Procedure for preparing for disposal: Rinse residual paint out of each empty can with water and pour on the ground or contaminate cans with dirt or sand. Do so in the field, at least 100’ from any streamcourse. When finished, cans shall be free of any remaining paint.

d) The contractor will be responsible for posting Material Safety Data Sheets. Material Safety Data Sheets will be furnished by the COR with the Tree Marking Paint.

7. Timber Cruising:

The intent of the timber cruise is to provide the Forest Service with a cruise report and file to facilitate the timber appraisal process. If the cruise design and plan was prepared by Contractor, all cruising performed under this contract shall meet the sampling error requirements set forth in FSH 2409.12, chapter 40. All data collected shall meet the accuracy requirements in FSH 2409.12, chapter 60.

1. If sampling errors are not met and additional samples can be obtained in an unbiased manner, Contractor must supplement the cruise to correct deficiency. Additional samples cannot be added to tree-based cruise methods, particularly 3P, unless insurance trees have been previously identified. A complete re-cruise may be necessary for strata with tree-based cruise methods that do not meet the specified error standards. A reasonable number of measurements per sample group must be taken.

2. The Contractor will ensure each cruiser has written cruise instructions on how plots or measure trees will be identified on the ground, how measure trees will be selected, measurements to be recorded, plot locations, boundary plot directions, and any other information necessary to conduct a proper cruise.

3. Field data recorders with the applicable Forest Service cruising software must be used during data collection for tree-based cruise methods. Unless otherwise agreed, the Contractor shall provide and process cruise data using the most current versions of Forest Service cruising software. The applicable electronic cruise files (.cruise and .out files) will be provided to the Forest Service on a weekly or otherwise agreed to basis throughout the cruise implementation.

4. All measurements and defect determinations will be done in accordance with FSH 2409.12, Chapters 10 and 20. Document reasons for defect deductions on measure trees. Record all unusual features at plot locations which may influence cruise procedures, hence accuracy (excessive slope, blowdown patch, hazardous conditions, etc.).

5. The names of cruisers must be documented for each unit. Unless otherwise agreed, cruisers shall manually record cruise tree information and notes on a Timber Cruise Data Sheet that is available in the back of the Timber Cruise Reference Guide. It is recommended that Contractor periodically record tallies and/or sum of KPI by sample group to ensure timber cruise data can be re-entered into a field data recorder if the file becomes damaged.

Cruise Implementation:

A. Plot And Measure Tree Locations:

The Contractor shall supply cruise maps for each unit with the actual location of plot centers, cruise trees, and insurance trees. If cruise trees and/or plots were located with GPS, provide the shapefiles to the COR or designee. If plots are not located using GPS coordinates, Contractor shall hang flagging with distance and direction to nearest plot on adjacent roads. Contractor is encouraged to use unique plot and tree numbers for all samples.

A pre-determined plot grid with coordinates that are navigated to with a GPS must be used. The coordinates will be provided to the Forest Service upon request so the Forest Service can navigate to and inspect these plots.

Cruise plots shall be marked with pink flagging tied at/or above eye level, as near plot center as possible. Plot center shall be marked with pin flag secured into the ground at the exact center of the plot. Unit number, plot number, date, and cruiser's initials will be written on the pin flag.

Starting at true north and proceeding clockwise, cruise trees shall be numbered consecutively beginning with number 1, and shall correspond with the tree numbers recorded in the Timber Cruise book or Field Data Recorder.

Sampling plots for each unit are to be evenly distributed in a uniform pattern on a true North/South/East/West grid.

B. Tree Based Sampling Systems:

If a tree based sampling system is specified in the cruise design, sample trees (as well as "insurance" trees) shall be designated as follows:

Sample trees shall be identified by an "M" and tree number (i.e. M 20). The sample tree number shall be painted on two sides of the tree at or above DBH. Sample trees shall also be painted with a full band around the circumference of the tree with an additional agreed upon color.

Supplemental sample trees ("insurance trees") shall be identified by an "I" and tree number (i.e. I

3). The insurance tree number shall be painted on two sides of the tree at or above DBH.

Supplemental sample trees shall be selected at the same time Contractor is selecting sample trees in a unit. Supplemental sample trees shall also be painted with a full band around the circumference of the tree with an additional agreed upon color.

All selected sample and supplemental sample trees shall be mapped on a sketch map by the Contractor and provided to the COR upon completion of each unit.

C. Cruise Evaluation:

The cruise must be evaluated by a Forest Service check cruiser and meet standards described in FSH 2409.12. Chapter 60. The evaluation includes office data audits and field measurement comparisons. The number of samples checked during a field review depends on the cruise methods used but a minimum of 35 trees on a sale must be re-measured. If the results are unsatisfactory with the specified number checked, 10 additional trees per major species will be checked. If the results are still unsatisfactory, a complete or partial re-cruise may be required, depending on the issue(s) identified. A description of elements checked and associated tolerances can be found in Chapter 60, Section II.5.

8. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

Government Furnished Property:

a) Forest Service Handbook 2409.12 - Timber Cruising Handbook (see attachment) and Timber Cruising Reference Guides.

b) R5 Supplements to FSH2409.12, Chapter 70

c) Current R5 Transaction Evidence Appraisal pond values for logs

d) Northern California Province Timber Theft Detection and Prevention Plan (2012)

e) Project Area Map

f) Proposed Unit Maps and associated GIS data

g) Photocopies of aerial photos

h) “Marking Guidelines for Fire Injured Trees in California”, Smith and Cluck, May 2011

i) Wildlife leave tree rating protocol, to be developed by the project Wildlife Biologist to aid in determining leave trees described in Specific Work Requirement 6c.

j) Tree Marking Paint with registered tracer and material safety data sheets

9. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY AND MATERIALS

The Contractor shall furnish the following materials and supplies:

a) Global positioning systems (GPS) able to meet specifications described in solicitation

b) Field data recorders

c) Compass with azimuth settings calibrated in 2-degree increments, set to local declination.

d) Clinometers or other device enabling one to measure slope in percent.

e) Timber Cruising Equipment

f) Paint Marking guns

g) Flagging (color as agreed)

10. ATTACHMENTS:

11. SELECTION CRITERIA FACTORS:

Contractor Requirements: Respond to the Selection Criteria below:

Price: Submit price quote on page 1 of this task order.

Map 1 Page

“Marking Guidelines for Fire Injured Trees in California”, Smith and Cluck, May 2011 15 Pages

US Forest Service, Region 5, Forest Health Protection

May 2011 (Report # RO-11-01)

Replaces April 2009 Report # RO-09-01

Marking Guidelines for Fire-Injured

Trees in California

Sheri L. Smith and Daniel R. Cluck

If you are using these marking guidelines for your post-fire restoration it is imperative that you contact your local Forest Health Protection (FHP) service area staff for review of your draft NEPA document (before public distribution), responses to comments and for assistance with marking guideline selection and project implementation.

Yellow pine (ponderosa and Jeffrey pine), white fir, sugar pine and incense cedar guidelines are based on: Hood, Sharon M.; Smith, Sheri L.; Cluck, Daniel R. 2010. Predicting mortality for five

California conifers following wildfire. Forest Ecology and Management. 260: 750-762.

Red fir guidelines are based on: Hood, Sharon M.; Smith, Sheri L.; Cluck, Daniel R. 2007. Delayed conifer tree mortality following fire in California In: Powers, Robert F., tech. editor. Restoring fire-adapted ecosystems: proceedings of the 2005 national silviculture workshop. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-

GTR-203, Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture: p. 261-283.

Douglas-fir guidelines are based on: Hood, Sharon M. 2008. Delayed Tree Mortality following Fire in Western Conifers. JFSP Final Report 05-2-1-105, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT. 35 p.

Lodgepole pine guidelines are based on: Ryan, Kevin C.; Reinhardt, Elizabeth D. 1988. Predicting post-fire mortality of seven western conifers. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 18: 1291-1297.

The following guidelines use percent crown length killed (and percent crown length scorched for yellow pine) or percent crown volume killed (for Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine) only or in combination with dbh, cambium kill rating and/or the presence or absence of bark beetle activity. The yellow pine, white fir, incense cedar, sugar pine and red fir guidelines are based on five year post-fire data, the Douglas-fir guidelines are based on three year post-fire data and the lodgepole pine guidelines are based on three to eight year post-fire data.

The yellow pine guidelines are separated for percent of crown length scorched and percent crown length killed. The percent crown length scorched guideline is appropriate when evaluating trees in late season fires prior to subsequent bud break (heat killing of foliage may occur with only light injury to buds and twigs and the full extent of crown kill cannot be determined until bud break occurs). The percent crown length killed guideline is appropriate when evaluating trees post-bud break. The percent crown length killed guidelines for sugar pine, incense cedar and red and white fir, or the percent crown volume killed models for Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine are appropriate any time after fire injury (all trees should be evaluated before the beginning of the second post-fire winter, preferably within the first post-fire year).

Evaluation of Crown Injury

Visually estimate the percent crown length killed (PCLK) for white fir, red fir, incense cedar and sugar pine to the nearest 5 percent, by standing far enough back from the tree so that the entire crown is visible.

Optimum viewing of the crown is against a blue sky away from the sun.

First, determine the original crown base height.

Pre-fire crown base height can be estimated by looking at the fine branch structure and needles.

Branches lacking fine twigs were likely dead before the fire. Trees often have asymmetrical crown bases so, if necessary, visually “move” some of the lower branches to the other side of the crown to even out the base.

Next, determine the crown kill height by establishing a “line of best fit” (Figure 1). Crown killed areas include any brown needles, as well as any areas that have blackened fine branches. If large gaps occur in the crown (> 4 feet in length), visually “move” lower branches up to fill in these areas. Be sure to evaluate the backside of the tree if its condition cannot be determined from the original vantage point.

Figure 1. Estimating the percent crown length or scorched killed.

Evaluate yellow pine pre-bud break (estimating percent crown length scorched or PCLS) using this same method and the pre-bud break guideline (Table 3). Crown length is a linear measurement and does not account for crown shape.

Visually estimate the percent crown length killed (PCLK) for yellow pine post-bud break, to the nearest 5 percent, by looking for completely dead branches (both scorched and/or blackened). Count an entire scorched branch as part of the live crown if green needles are extending from any of its lateral shoots (Figure 2).

Visually estimate the percent crown volume killed (PCVK) for Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine, to the nearest 5 percent, by comparing the volumetric proportion of crown kill (brown needles and blackened fine branches) to the volume occupied by the entire pre-fire crown. Crown volume estimates consider crown shape.

Proportion of B to A = Percent crown length scorched or killed

Fire-scorched or killed area

Original

(pre-fire) crown length* (A)

Estimated length of crown scorch or crown kill (B) using a

“line of best fit”

Figure 2. Bud survival on scorched branch.

Evaluation of Crown Injury

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the different portions of fire-injured crowns for yellow pine and white fir and provide examples of the estimated crown length scorched (for pine) and crown length killed (for both pine and fir) as percentages of the original, pre-fire crown length.

Figure 3. Crown assessment for yellow pine.

Figure 4. Crown assessment for white fir.

Unburned (all green)

Crown Kill (needles and buds killed)

Crown Assessment for White Fir

Crown base

Percent Crown Length Killed (75%)

Unburned (all green)

Crown Scorch (needles brown; buds alive)

Crown Kill (needles and buds killed)

Crown base

Percent Crown Length Killed (35%)

Percent Crown Length Scorched (65%)

Crown Assessment for Yellow Pine

Evaluation of Cambium Injury

Each sample is visually inspected in the field for color and condition of the tissue. Dead cambium is darker in color, often resin soaked and hard or gummy in texture. Live cambium is lighter in color, moist and rather pliable. Dead cells in the cambium zone also lose their plasticity which may allow the bark and wood to separate more easily (Ryan 1982). Add up the total number of dead samples (0 to 4) to determine the cambium kill rating (CKR). When both live and dead cambium is encountered in a sample choose the dominant condition of that sample (e.g. if more than half of the sample is dead then count it as dead).

Figure 6. Sampling cambium with a small hatchet.

Sample cambium in as small an area as possible at

4 equally spaced locations around bole and within 3” of the ground line to minimize tree wounding (Figure 5)

Evaluation of Cambium Injury

Bark Charring as a substitute for direct cambium sampling

When salvage marking includes cambium sampling, additional time is required to assess each tree. Direct cambium sampling can be reduced by using unburned, light and deep bark char classes as a substitute

(Hood et al 2008). Moderately charred quadrants would still require direct sampling (except for lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir). Divide the tree bole into four quadrants and assess the bark within 1 foot of ground line. Use the bark char class that best represents the majority of the area. Please refer to the following bark char descriptions (Ryan 1982) when substituting bark char classes for direct cambium sampling. Determine the CKR (0 to 4) as previously described.

Unburned or light charring – light charring has some blackened areas on the bark but unburned portions remain. These unburned portions are generally found in the bark fissures. (Assume cambium is alive except for lodgepole pine; must directly sample lightly charred quadrants for lodgepole pine)

Moderate charring – with moderate charring, all bark is blackened but the bark characteristics remain.

(Must directly sample to determine cambium status except for lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir; assume cambium is dead for moderately charred quadrants on lodgepole pine; assume cambium is alive for moderately charred quadrants on Douglas-fir)

Deep charring – with deep charring, all the bark is blackened and bark characteristics are no longer discernable. (Assume cambium is dead)

Evaluation of Red Turpentine Beetle Activity

Figure 7. Red turpentine beetle pitch tubes.

Determine the simple presence or absence of red turpentine beetle pitch tubes (Figure 7) on yellow and sugar pine. The density or percent coverage of attacks around the bole is not a concern. The importance of this variable depends on the timing of the fire and the subsequent level of red turpentine beetle activity and is only used when significant activity is detected. FHP personnel can assist with this determination. Even though the presence of red turpentine beetle pitch tubes is used as criterion in some of the pine guidelines, it should not be used exclusively to mark trees for removal (see top of page 8).

Determining what variables to use when marking trees

Managers need to determine how much time is available for assessing each tree. The most accurate marking guidelines (requiring the most time) assess crown injury, cambium injury and red turpentine beetle (RTB) activity (for yellow and sugar pine). At a minimum, a crown injury assessment is required for all species.

Assessing cambium injury and/or RTB activity (for yellow and sugar pine) requires additional time per tree but does provide a slight increase in accuracy for white fir, sugar pine and yellow pine. In general, if managers choose to only assess crown injury and the fire resulted in cambium kill ratings >2 on most trees, mortality will be under predicted. The opposite is true if the fire resulted in cambium kill ratings of ≤ 2 on most trees, as mortality will then be over predicted (this varies by tree species). Mortality could also be under or over predicted if RTB activity is not assessed (depends of level of post-fire RTB activity).

Knowledge of fire behavior, pre-fire fuel conditions and post-fire RTB activity will help to determine the value of assessing for these variables.

Selecting the predicted probability of mortality (Pm) level that will meet land management objectives

The probability of mortality (Pm) levels incorporated into the guidelines are thresholds where all trees meeting or exceeding a selected Pm level are marked for removal. Providing a range of Pm levels afford land managers more options to meet post-fire management objectives. The number of trees removed from a project area will generally vary with different Pm levels; fewer trees will be marked at higher Pm levels (a more conservative mark) and more trees will be marked at lower Pm levels (a less conservative mark)

(Figure 8). The exact amount of difference in the mark between Pm levels depends on the population of fire-injured trees within the project area. For example, if the project consists primarily of high severity burn areas the number of trees marked for removal will not significantly change with different Pm levels.

Figure 8. General recommendations based on management objectives for various Pm levels.

Probability of Mortality (Pm)

0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1

Use lower probability thresholds when it is important to prevent leaving trees that may die

Use higher probability thresholds when it is important to prevent taking trees that may live

The selection of the Pm level should take into consideration the following factors:

The population of fire-injured trees within the project area [can be based on vegetation burn severity maps showing low, moderate and high severity (Figure 9)]

Management objectives and desired future conditions

Number of harvest entries allowed

Post-salvage fuels objectives

Snag requirements

Method of harvest: tractor, helicopter, cable, etc

Economics and logistics (availability of marking crews and operators, timber values, length of contracts, etc.)

Reforestation plans: planting and/or natural regeneration

NEPA process

Hazard trees

Environmental conditions (drought, stand density, and beetle activity)

After identifying project-specific objectives, conditions and requirements, land managers should be able to determine which Pm level, or levels (more than one may be selected), will best meet their needs.

Consultation with Forest Health Protection staff and other land managers that have implemented projects using these guidelines can greatly assist in making a Pm selection. It is also recommended that land managers document the rationale used to make Pm level selections for future reference.

Figure 9. Vegetation Burn Severity Map.

MARKING GUIDELINES FOR FIRE-INJURED TREES

Evidence of significant bark and/or wood boring beetle activity

(Any tree meeting this criteria is predicted to die and no further assessment is required)

Trees should be marked for removal if any combination of the following factors are present over at least 1/3 of the bole circumference: 1) pitch tubes with pink or reddish boring dust associated with them (not clear pitch streamers); 2) pouch fungus conks and/or current woodpecker activity (holes into the sapwood and/or bark flaking, specifically excludes injury caused by sapsucker feeding); 3) boring dust or frass (in bark crevices, webbing along the bole, or that accumulates at the base of the trees). This specifically excludes basal attacks by the red turpentine beetle (large pitch tubes associated with coarse boring dust generally restricted to the lower 2 to 3 feet of the bole or woodpecker activity restricted to this area)* and when the above indicators are only associated with wounds, old fire scars, etc. (Cluck 2008)

*The presence or absence of red turpentine beetle pitch tubes are incorporated into the yellow pine marking guidelines in Tables 2a and 2b.

YELLOW PINE

Table 1 or Tables 2a and 2b are to be used when evaluating trees post-bud break.

Table 3 is used when evaluating trees pre-bud break.

Table 1. YELLOW PINE: percent crown length killed (PCLK) and DBH (use post-bud break)*

Use Table 1 when only assessing crown injury.

Table 2a. YELLOW PINE: PCLK, DBH and red turpentine beetle pitch tubes PRESENT*

Use Tables 2a and 2b when assessing crown injury and red turpentine beetle presence/absence

Note: Use of this guideline is appropriate when significant red turpentine beetle activity is detected. FHP personnel can assist with this determination.

Probability of mortality (Pm) .10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

10 - <30” 25 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70

30 - 40” -- 5 10 15 25 30 40 45 60

>40 - 50” -- -- -- 5 10 15 25 30 45

Probability of mortality (Pm) .10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

10 - <30” 10 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65

30 - 40” -- -- -- -- -- 5 10 15 25

>40 - 50” -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5 10

YELLOW PINE (continued)

Table 2b. YELLOW PINE: PCLK, DBH and red turpentine beetle pitch tubes ABSENT*

* When the cambium kill rating (CKR) is determined for yellow pine, post-bud break, use the following percent crown length killed adjustments for Tables 1, 2a and 2b: For yellow pine 10 - <30” dbh, add 5 percentage points when CKR = 0 or 1, no change when CKR = 2, and subtract 10 percentage points when CKR = 3 or 4. For yellow pine >30” dbh, add 5 percentage points when CKR = 0 or 1, no change when CKR = 2, and subtract 5 percentage points when CKR = 3 or 4.

Table 3: YELLOW PINE: percent crown length scorched (PCLS) and DBH (use pre-bud break)*

Note: The red turpentine beetle guideline is not used in the pre-bud break model

* When the cambium kill rating (CKR) is determined for yellow pine, pre-bud break, use the following percent crown length scorched adjustments for Table 3: For yellow pine 10 - <30” dbh, add 15 percentage points when CKR = 0, add 10 percentage points when CKR = 1, no change when CKR = 2, subtract 10 percentage points when CKR = 3 and subtract 15 percentage points when CKR = 4. For yellow pine >30” dbh, add 5 percentage points when CKR = 0, no change when CKR = 1, subtract 5 percentage points when CKR = 2, and subtract 10 percentage points when CKR = 3 or 4.

INCENSE CEDAR

Table 4: INCENSE CEDAR - percent crown length killed (PCLK)*

* Cambium sampling is not recommended for incense cedar.

.10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

10 - <30” 30 35 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

30 - 40” 5 10 20 25 30 40 45 55 65

>40 - 50” -- -- -- 5 10 15 25 35 45

Probability of mortality (Pm) .10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length scorched (PCLS)

10 - <30” 50 50 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

30 - 40” 10 25 35 40 45 55 60 70 80

>40 - 50” -- 10 15 20 30 35 40 50 65

Probability of mortality (Pm) .10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

10 – 60” 65 70 75 80 85 85 90 90 95

SUGAR PINE

Table 5: SUGAR PINE - percent crown length killed (PCLK)*

Use Table 1 when only assessing crown injury.

Table 6a: SUGAR PINE - PCLK and red turpentine beetle pitch tubes PRESENT*

Use Tables 6a and 6b when assessing crown injury and red turpentine beetle presence/absence

Note: Use of this guideline is appropriate when significant red turpentine beetle activity is noted.

FHP personnel can assist with this determination.

Table 6b: SUGAR PINE - PCLK and red turpentine beetle pitch tubes ABSENT*

* When the cambium kill rating (CKR) is determined for sugar pine, use the following percent crown kill adjustments for Tables 5, 6a and 6b: Add 5 percentage points when CKR = 0 - 3 and subtract 20 percentage points when CKR = 4.

WHITE FIR

Table 7. WHITE FIR: percent crown length killed (PCLK) and DBH * º

* When the cambium kill rating (CKR) is determined for white fir, use the following percent crown kill adjustments for Table 7: Subtract 5 percentage points when CKR = 1 or 2, subtract 10 percentage points when CKR = 3 or 4 and no change when CKR = 0.

º FHP monitoring of fire-injured white fir revealed high levels of decay developing where significant cambium kill occurred at the root collar and on the bole. A portion of these decayed trees failed during the five-year period while still retaining green foliage. Land managers should be aware that even though true firs with high levels of cambium kill have a high probability of survival they may become hazards to people or property (Cluck 2005).

.10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

10 – 60” -- 30 40 50 50 55 60 65 70

Probability of mortality (Pm) .10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

10 – 60” -- -- -- 30 40 45 55 60 65

Probability of mortality (Pm) .10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

10 – 60” 30 45 55 60 60 65 70 75 80

Probability of mortality (Pm) .10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

10 - 35” 50 60 65 70 75 80 80 85 90

>35 - 60” -- 35 45 50 60 65 70 75 80

RED FIR

Table 8. RED FIR: percent crown length killed (PCLK) º

º FHP monitoring of fire-injured red fir revealed high levels of decay developing where significant cambium kill occurred at the root collar and on the bole. A portion of these decayed trees failed during the five-year period while still retaining green foliage. Land managers should be aware that even though true firs with high levels of cambium kill have a high probability of survival they may become hazards to people or property (Cluck 2005).

DOUGLAS-FIR (Hood 2008)

Table 9. DOUGLAS-FIR: percent crown volume killed (PCVK), and DBH *

This guideline uses percent crown volume killed (not percent crown length killed). Visually estimate the volumetric proportion of crown killed compared to the space occupied by the pre-fire crown volume to the nearest five percent (Ryan 1982).

* When the cambium kill rating (CKR) is determined for Douglas-fir, use the following percent crown kill adjustments for Table 9: Add 5 percentage points when CKR = 0, no change when CKR = 1, subtract 5 percentage points when CKR = 2, subtract 10 percentage points when CKR = 3, subtract 20 percentage points when CKR = 4.

LODGEPOLE PINE (Ryan and Reinhardt 1988)

Table 10. LODGEPOLE PINE: percent crown volume killed (PCVK) and DBH

This guideline uses percent crown volume killed (not percent crown length killed). Visually estimate the volumetric proportion of crown killed compared to the space occupied by the pre-fire crown volume to the nearest five percent (Ryan 1982).

.10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

6 – 40” -- 40 45 65 70 75 80 85 95

Probability of mortality (Pm) .10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown length killed (PCLK)

4 – 40” -- 10 25 55 65 70 75 80 90

Probability of mortality (Pm) .10 .20 .30 .40 .50 .60 .70 .80 .90

DBH Percent crown volume killed (PCVK)

≤10” - - - - - 5 30 40 55

>10 - 15” - - - - 20 35 45 55 70

>15 – 20” - - - 25 35 40 50 60 70

All lodgepole pine, regardless of diameter, are predicted to die if all bole quadrants have moderate or deep char as defined by Ryan (1982) (Hood 2006).

Sheri Smith Danny Cluck

Forest Health Protection Forest Health Protection

Regional Entomologist NESA Entomologist

2550 Riverside Drive 2550 Riverside Drive

Susanville, CA 96130 Susanville, CA 96130

530-252-6667 530-252-6431 ssmith@fs.fed.us dcluck@fs.fed.us

Citation: Smith, S.L. and D.R. Cluck. 2011. Marking guidelines for fire-injured trees in California.

US Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Region 5, Susanville, CA. Report # RO-11-01. 13 p.

References:

Cluck, D.R. 2005. Hazard Tree Alert. US Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Northeastern

California Shared Service Area, Susanville, CA. 1 p.

Cluck, D.R. 2008. Salvage Marking Guidelines for the Lassen, Plumas, Modoc and Tahoe National

Forests. US Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Northeastern California Shared Service Area, Susanville, CA. 4 p.

Hood, S.M. 2006. Personal communication. August 2006.

Hood, S.M. 2008. Delayed Tree Mortality following Fire in Western Conifers. JFSP Final Report 05-2-1-105, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT. 35 p.

Hood, S.M. and B. Bentz. 2007. Predicting post-fire Douglas-fir beetle attacks and tree mortality in the northern Rocky Mountains. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37: 1058-1069.

Hood, S.M., D.R. Cluck, S.L. Smith, and K.C. Ryan. 2008. Using bark char codes to predict post-fire cambium mortality. Fire Ecology 4(1): 57-73.

Hood, S.M., S.L. Smith, and D.R. Cluck. 2010. Predicting mortality for five California conifers following wildfire. Forest Ecology and Management. 260: 750-762.

Hood, S.M., S.L. Smith, and D.R. Cluck. 2007. Delayed conifer tree mortality following fire in

California. In: Powers, Robert F., tech. editor. Restoring fire-adapted ecosystems: proceedings of the

2005 national silviculture workshop. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-203, Albany, CA: Pacific

Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture: p. 261-283.

Ryan, K.C. 1982. Techniques for assessing fire damage to trees. In: J. Lotan, ed. Fire, its field effects: proceedings of the symposium, a symposium sponsored jointly by the Intermountain Fire

Council and the Rocky Mountain Fire Council; 1982 October 19-21; Jackson, Wyoming.

Intermountain Fire Council: 1-11.

Ryan, K.C. and E.D. Reinhardt. 1988. Predicting post fire mortality of seven western conifers. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 18: 1291-1297.

mailto:ssmith@fs.fed.us mailto:dcluck@fs.fed.us

REGION 5 FOREST HEALTH PROTECTION SERVICE AREA STAFF

Northern CA (National Forests: Klamath, Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity, Six Rivers)

Plant Pathologist: Pete Angwin

(530) 226-2436 e-mail: pangwin@fs.fed.us

Entomologist: Cynthia Snyder

(530) 226-2437 e-mail : clsnyder@fs.fed.us

Northeastern CA (National Forests: Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Tahoe)

Plant Pathologist: Bill Woodruff

(530) 252-6680 e-mail: wwoodruff@fs.fed.us

Entomologist: Danny Cluck

530-252-6431 e-mail: dcluck@fs.fed.us

Entomologist: Amanda Garcia-Grady

530-252-6675 e-mail: amandagarcia@fs.fed.us

South Sierra (National Forests: Eldorado, Inyo, LTBMU, Sequoia, Sierra, Stanislaus)

Plant Pathologist: Martin MacKenzie

(209) 532 3671 ext 242 e-mail: mmackenzie@fs.fed.us

Entomologist: Beverly M. Bulaon

(209) 532-3671 x323 e-mail: bbulaon@fs.fed.us

Southern CA (National Forests: Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, San Bernardino)

Plant Pathologist: Paul Zambino

(909) 382-2727 e-mail: pzambino@fs.fed.us

Entomologist: Tom Coleman

(909) 382-2871 e-mail: twcoleman@fs.fed.us mailto:pangwin@fs.fed.us mailto:clsnyder@fs.fed.us mailto:wwoodruff@fs.fed.us mailto:dcluck@fs.fed.us mailto:amandagarcia@fs.fed.us mailto:mmackenzie@fs.fed.us mailto:bbulaon@fs.fed.us mailto:pzambino@fs.fed.us mailto:twcoleman@fs.fed.us

Appendix A: Project specific guideline example

Marking Guidelines for Fire-injured Trees: Scorch Fire Salvage Project

Guideline Objectives: These guidelines will provide a means to identify and remove trees that were killed or severely injured as a result of fire and/or insect attack within the Scorch

Fire, California Ranger District.

These guidelines are based on the fire injured tree marking guidelines developed by Region

5 Forest Health Protection (Report #RO-11-01, Smith and Cluck, May 2011).