Attachment 4 - Robie Creek G-Z Silvicultural Prescriptions.pdf

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 1)

Robie Creek G to Z Integrated Resource Service Contract (IRSC):

Silvicultural Prescriptions

Contents Management Goals and Objectives:

Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines:

Definitions and Nomenclature:

Treatment Area Descriptions:

“Commercial Thin” and “Improvement Cut”

“Improvement Cut (Potential Old-Forest)”

“Shelterwood with Sanitation (High Dwarf Mistletoe Infection Rating)”

“Non-Commercial Thin”

“Fuels Reduction Treatment - Mastication”

“Defer Treatment”

Attachments

Attachment A: Legacy Tree Guidance

Attachment B: Sample Treatment Table: Current vs Desired Conditions

Attachment C: PVG Map

Attachment D: Preliminary Treatment Types Map

Attachment E: Dwarf Mistle Rating Information

Attachment F: Tree Selection Guide

Attachment G: Treatment Type Decision Matrix

Attachment H: Harvest Card Template

Prepared By: Brian Krupitzer

Silviculture Forester

Signed By: Joshua Newman

Certified Silviculturist

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 2)

Management Goals and Objectives:

The following purpose and associated needs were identified in the EA - FONSI for Sinker Creek - Boise

Ridge Forest Health Project:

1. Conduct fuel treatments in the Wildland Urban Interface.

2. Manage species composition and forest structure through a mixture of commercial and non-commercial treatments that would create openings to promote early seral species and reduce the risk or extent of, or increase resilience to, insect or disease infestation.

Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines:

Relevant Veg. Management Design Features are listed below. See The Sinker Creek Boise Ridge EA -

FONSI for all:

-VM-1: Retain all existing forested stands that meet the definition of large tree size class (USDA USFS

2010a, Appendix A) or old forest habitat (USDA USFS 2010a, Appendix E).

Management actions may occur within these stands, if they continue to meet the definitions of large tree size class and old forest habitat.

This design feature will not apply where it is inconsistent with management activities needed to reasonably address human health and safety concerns or to meet hazardous fuel reduction objectives within wildland-urban interfaces (WUIs).

-VM-2: Designate for retention during sale preparation all ponderosa pine trees meeting the definition of a legacy tree consistent with the

Forest’s Legacy Tree Guide (USDA Forest Service 2015).

This design feature will not apply where it is inconsistent with management activities needed to reasonably address human health and safety concerns or to meet hazardous fuel reduction objectives within WUIs.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 3)

Definitions and Nomenclature:

Basal Area (BA): Total cross-sectional area of trees within a stand at a height of 4.5 ft (see DBH below).

Standard imperial units are used to express basal area as total square footage per acre (ft2/acre).

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): Diameter of a tree measured at 4.5 feet above the ground on the uphill side of the tree.

Dwarf Mistletoe Rating (DMR): The 6-class dwarf mistletoe rating system is used to prioritize removals of mistletoe-infected trees (Hawksworth, 1977). See Attachment E for more information.

Groups: Groups are generally described as 4 to 8 desirable leave trees with 12- to 20- foot bole spacing.

Openings should provide at least 40- to 60- feet between groups, bole to bole, and should provide clear canopy separation between groups where possible.

Legacy Tree: The Legacy Tree Guide for the Boise National Forest describes legacy tree characteristics for multiple species. Most legacy trees are over 150 years old and somewhat correlated with a 27.5” in DBH.

See attachment A below for excerpts from the Legacy tree Guide.

Old-Forest: Old-Forest habitat conditions are described in Table E-2 of the Boise National Forest Plan

(Appendix E, pg. 25).

• For PVGs 1 and 2, stands must meet the Large Tree Size Class designation, have at least 30% canopy cover in trees 20” DBH or greater, have 30-70% canopy cover overall, and have at least

60% PIPO for species composition.

• For PVG 3, stands must meet the Large Tree Size Class designation, have at least 30% canopy cover in trees 20” DBH or greater, have 50-70% canopy cover overall, and have at least 60% PIPO or PSME for species composition.

PIPO: Ponderosa pine

PSME: Douglas-fir

Potential Vegetation Group (PVG): Ecological classification system used by the Boise National Forest Land and resource Management Plan. Desired Conditions for each PVG can be found within the amended forest plan (2010). See Attachment C below for remote sensing map of PVGs.

-PVG 1: Dry Ponderosa Pine / Xeric Douglas Fir

-PVG 2: Warm, Dry Douglas Fir / Moist Ponderosa Pine

-PVG 3: Cool, Moist Douglas Fir

-PVG 4: Cool, Dry Douglas Fir (little to no PVG 4 exists within the project area)

Relative Density Index (RDI): A relative measure of Stand density Index, expressed as a percentage of maximum SDI.

Stand Density Index (SDI): An expression of relative stand density based on the predictable relationship.

Between average tree size and trees per unit area in dense stands

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 4)

Trees per Acre (TPA): Trees Per Acre is used throughout this document as a standard measure of density.

Unless otherwise noted, trees per acre includes a total number of trees 1’ in height or taller.

Tree Size Class: Tree Size Class is based on the total, non-overlapping canopy cover for largest DBH of trees according to table A-3 of the Boise National Forest Plan (Appendix A, pg. 6). “Large” Tree Size Class requires at least 10% total canopy cover in trees that are 20” in DBH or greater.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 5)

Treatment Area Descriptions:

-“Commercial Thin” and “Improvement Cut” Overall target BA of 60-80 ft2 per acre. A majority (typically 60-75%) of removals will be from trees 16” or less in diameter. Remaining trees will be thinned from below, typically up to 22”-24” to meet basal area targets. Residual species comp on average retain 10% more pine compared to pre-treatment conditions.

Select for retention of PIPO.

“Commercial Thin” areas currently meet desired minimums for species composition.

“Improvement Cut” areas do not meet desired minimums for species composition, and treatment should prioritize retention of Ponderosa Pine.

-“Improvement Cut (Potential Old-Forest)” Overall Target BA of 80-100 ft2 per acre. A majority (typically 60-75%) of removals will be from trees 16” or less in diameter. Remaining trees will be thinned from below, typically up to 22”-24” to meet basal area targets. Residual species composition will on average retain 10% more pine compared to pre-treatment conditions. Select for retention of PIPO, and higher retention of 16-20” PIPO for old-forest recruitment.

-“Shelterwood with Sanitation (High Dwarf Mistletoe Infection Rating)” Stands are highly departed from healthy, historical reference conditions due to mistletoe infections. No other treatment type would meet long-term desired conditions. Do not remove legacy trees but focus treatment on sanitation of mistletoe infected trees. Desired basal area as low as 30-60 ft2 per acre.

-“Non-Commercial Thin Only” Overall target basal area of 90-120 ft2 per acre. Remove nearly all trees 0-8” DBH (Maintain trees <= 2ft in height, and small, open-grown clumps). Thinning up to 16” as needed to meet spacing and density requirements. Hand-piling where necessary.

-“Fuels Reduction Treatment – Mastication” Mechanical removal of designated brush, sub merchantable trees, and down limbs up to 6” in diameter.

Residual woody debris or chips should be less than 3” in diameter. Residual slash depth should be less than 6”, with isolated areas not exceeding 12” where dense vegetation exists.

-“Defer treatment” Additional delineation needed. Some areas within these stands will likely not need mechanical treatment, if RDI is less than desired conditions (less than 25%) and if stands are relatively healthy.

Consider fuels treatments such as mastication, or non-commercial-only thinning, where applicable.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 6)

“Commercial Thin” and “Improvement Cut”

Current Conditions: Stands designated with this treatment type typically have 80-120 ft2 of basal area per acre, and a total density ranging from 60-150 TPA. Stands are either PVG 1, 2, or 3 and generally with large trees as a major structural component. Areas needing Improvement Cut treatments are generally composed of Douglas fir in the overstory, which is outside of desired conditions. Stands needing

Commercial Thin treatments may have 60% or more ponderosa pine in the overstory. These stands are not approaching the forest’s definition of “Old Forest”, and typically have a relative density index (RDI) between 25% and 35%.

These stands generally have total canopy cover of 35-50%. Many of these stands currently provide habitat for white-headed woodpecker (25% to 50% canopy cover), as well as Flammulated owl, (30-59% canopy cover). Some stands will have a total canopy cover greater than 45%, which provides habitat for

Northern Goshawk.

Desired Conditions: Desired conditions include a basal area of 60-80 ft2 per acre, and a range of TPA to meet this objective. Desired conditions include maintaining large trees above 20” DBH. Removals will result in increased variability in the structure and spatial arrangement of the residual trees, where possible. The residual unit will have an increase in mean diameter, a reduction in ladder fuels, as well as a shift in composition and structure which retains large ponderosa pine. Typically, most removals will be trees less than 16” or less in diameter. Other trees will be thinned from below, mostly up to 22-24” to meet basal area targets.

Post-treatment, these stands will generally provide habitat for white-headed woodpecker. See contract for specific timing restrictions regarding wildlife.

Residual Stocking Objectives: In order of priority; subsequent items do not override preceding items:

1. Retain all Legacy Trees, unless as appropriate under VM-2. See Attachments/ Definitions regarding Legacy trees.

2. Retain an average basal area of 60-80 ft2 per acre.

3. Retain 60% or more Ponderosa Pine in the overstory where conditions exist for PVGs 1 and 2.

4. Remove dwarf mistletoe infected trees (DMR of 3 or greater)

5. Retain Groups of 3-10 trees with clear canopy separation between groups

6. Remove all conifer species up to 16” DBH within 30 ft of live aspen consisting of at least 10 live stems greater than 15 feet tall.

Tree Selection Guide:

1. Cut trees shall be selected by thinning from below so that the residual stand is comprised of early seral species. Tree selection should result in an increased percentage of fire tolerant trees such as ponderosa pine.

2. Select healthy trees for retention that have good form and vigorous crowns. Prioritize retention of dominant and codominant trees. See attachment F for specifics.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 7)

“Improvement Cut (Potential Old-Forest)”

Current Conditions: Stands designated with this treatment type may have up to 150 ft2 of basal area per acre, and up to 140 or more TPA. Stands are either PVG 1, 2, or 3 and generally have a major structural component of trees that are 20” or greater in DBH. These stands are approaching (or already meet) the forest’s definition of Old Forest and may have an RDI over 40%. Stands with this treatment type may have the potential to meet species composition requirements for Old-Forest designation post-treatment.

This includes a species composition of at least 60% large ponderosa pine trees for PVGs 1 and 2, and either 60% ponderosa pine or Douglas fir for PVG 3.

These stands may have total canopy cover above 45%, and currently provide habitat for Flammulated owl, (30-59% canopy cover), as well as Northern Goshawk. (Cite Foust)

Desired Conditions: Desired conditions include a basal area of 80-100 ft2 per acre, and a range of TPA to meet this objective. Desired conditions overall are to promote or maintain Old-Forest habitat. Desired conditions include maintaining large ponderosa pine. Removals will result in increased variability in the structure and spatial arrangement of the residual trees, where possible. The residual unit will have an increase in its mean diameter, a reduction in ladder fuels, as well as a shift in composition and structure which retains large ponderosa pine. Typically, most removals will be trees less than 16” or less in diameter. Other trees will be thinned from below, mostly up to 22-24” to meet basal area targets.

Additional trees approximately 16”-20” may be retained for old forest recruitment.

Post-treatment, these stands will generally provide habitat for white-headed woodpecker and flammulated owl. See contract for specific timing restrictions regarding wildlife.

Residual Stocking Objectives: In order of priority; subsequent items do not override preceding items:

1. Retain all Legacy Trees, unless as appropriate under VM-2. See Attachments/ Definitions regarding Legacy trees.

2. Retain an average basal area of 80-100 ft2 per acre.

3. Retain 60% or more Ponderosa Pine in the overstory where conditions exist for PVGs 1 and 2.

4. Remove dwarf mistletoe infected trees (DMR of 3 or greater)

5. Retain Groups of 3-10 trees with clear canopy separation between groups

6. Remove all conifer species up to 16” DBH within 30 ft of live aspen consisting of at least 10 live stems greater than 15 feet tall.

Tree Selection Guide:

1. Cut trees shall be selected by thinning from below so that the residual stand is comprised of early seral species. Tree selection should result in an increased percentage of fire tolerant trees such as ponderosa pine.

2. Select healthy trees for retention that have good form and vigorous crowns. Prioritize retention of dominant and codominant trees. See Attachment F for specifics.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 8)

“Shelterwood with Sanitation (High Dwarf Mistletoe Infection Rating)”

Current Conditions: Stands designated with this treatment type have variable conditions for basal area or density. Stands are within PVG 1, 2, or 3 and contain high levels of dwarf mistletoe infection and bark beetle mortality, primarily in Douglas-fir. A large majority of trees within these stands are infected with

Douglas fir dwarf mistletoe, with a stand average at a DMR of 2 or greater for all live trees. Current conditions are highly departed from the historic range of variability (HRV) for these PVGs. Stands with this treatment type do not have the potential to maintain sufficient large trees or old forest structure if forest health issues are not addressed. Because forest health issues severely affect these stands, they will not meet any canopy cover requirements for wildlife species. Forest health issues must be addressed to maintain sustainable levels of canopy cover long-term.

Desired Conditions: Desired conditions include a basal area as low as 30-60 ft2 per acre, and a range of

TPA to meet this objective. Desired conditions are to improve stand resilience and reduce instances of dwarf mistletoe through sanitation. Desired conditions may temporarily reduce the large tree structural component to promote long-term forest health and resiliency. The residual unit will have an increase in its mean diameter, a reduction in ladder fuels, as well as a shift in composition and structure towards legacy trees and non-host species. In most cases where Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe exists, ponderosa pine will be desirable. Most removals will be trees with a DMR of 3 or higher, until sanitation or residual basal area targets are met.

Residual Stocking Objectives: In order of priority; subsequent items do not override preceding items:

1. Retain all Legacy Trees

2. Retain an average basal area of 30-60 ft2 per acre

3. Retain PIPO and aspen in overstory, where present

4. Remove dwarf mistletoe infected trees (DMR of 3 or greater)

5. Create clear canopy separation between healthy residual trees

6. Remove all conifer species up to 16” DBH within 30 ft of live aspen consisting of at least 10 live stems greater than 15 feet tall.

Tree Selection Guide:

1. Cut trees shall be selected by thinning for sanitation so that the residual stand is comprised of early seral and non-host species. Where heavily infected Douglas-fir exists, tree selection will likely result in an increased percentage of ponderosa pine.

2. Select healthy trees for retention that have good form and vigorous crowns. Prioritize retention of trees with a DMR rating less than 3 and keep healthy dominant and codominant trees where possible. See Attachment F for specifics.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 9)

“Non-Commercial Thin”

Current Conditions: Stands designated with this treatment type have variable conditions for basal area or density, throughout multiple PVGs. These stands typically consist of small to medium sized trees or may be less accessible for commercial harvesting equipment. Desired basal area values provided below for desired conditions assume that mechanical treatment and whole tree yarding is not an accessible option, resulting in higher residual stand densities overall. Stands already in small to medium size classes will likely have smaller basal area.

Desired Conditions: Desired Conditions include basal areas from 90-120 ft2 per acre for mature stands, and likely less for smaller diameter stands. Desired conditions include maintaining a major structural component of large trees. Removals will result in increased variability in the structure and spatial arrangement of the residual trees, where possible. The residual unit will have an increase in its mean diameter, a reduction in ladder fuels, as well as a shift in composition and structure which retains large ponderosa pine. Thinning includes trees 16” or less in diameter. Trees will generally be thinned from below, until spacing or basal area targets are met.

Post-treatment, these stands will generally provide habitat for white-headed woodpecker and flammulated owl. See contract for specific timing restrictions regarding wildlife.

Residual Stocking Objectives:

1. Cut all conifer species < 12.0 inches DBH within 30 feet of live aspen consisting of at least 10 live stems greater than 15 feet tall.

2. Cut all conifer species < 12.0 inches DBH with any visible evidence of dwarf mistletoe-caused brooms or swelling in the bole. Ponderosa pine trees with branch infestation in the lower 1/3 of crown are acceptable leave trees where they are the best tree to leave.

3. Cut all conifers <12.0 inches DBH within 40 feet of the bole of any ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir greater than 20 inches DBH.

4. Enhance natural openings, ¼ acre to 1 ½ acre in size, with little-or-no evidence of past trees, by cutting all conifer species < 12.0 inches DBH within and around the opening. Indicators of past trees include old stumps, logs and/or stump holes.

5. Cut all conifer species 2 feet tall to 8.0” DBH except for a few open grown clumps of 3 or more trees with healthy crowns and at least 30 feet away from the crown of any residual trees.

6. Thin remaining patches of 8.0 to 16.0 inch DBH trees to promote groups and openings. Groups will have 4 to 8 trees with 12- to 20- foot bole spacing. Openings should provide 40- to 60- feet between groups, bole to bole.

Tree Selection Guide:

-Desirable leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown (in dominant & co-dominant crown positions), and straightest stems without forking, with no indication of insect, disease, damage. Select leave trees in the following priorities: Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-fir.

See Appendix A in the Contract for slash treatment requirements.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 10)

“Fuels Reduction Treatment - Mastication”

Current Conditions: Stands designated with this treatment type have variable conditions for basal area or density, throughout multiple PVGs. Treatment areas will have slopes of 40% or less, and will generally have dense fuel loads, with continuous fuels in the form of brush, sub merchantable trees, or dead and down, woody material. Mastication areas may overlap with other treatment types to address residual fuel loads post-harvest.

Desired Conditions: Desired conditions will reduce potential fire behavior within the understory of forested areas. The residual unit will have an increase in canopy base height, increased torching index, a reduction in ladder fuels, and reduced amounts of coarse woody debris. Areas included for mastication should generally work together to provide an effective fuelbreak within the project area.

1. Retain clones of aspen consisting of at least 10 live stems greater than 15 feet tall.

2. Trees are members of the same clump if they are within 30 feet of at least one other tree in the clump.

3. Masticate all other standing understory brush species (alive or dead) greater than 1 foot in height. This includes tree and brush species ranging in diameter from .25-inch brush stem to 6 inch diameter at breast height (DBH) trees. Stumps and stobs created from severing will be less than 6 inches in height.

4. Masticate all conifer species 2 feet tall to 6.0 inches except for a few open grown clumps of 3 or more trees with healthy crowns and at least 30 feet away from the crown of any residual trees.

5. Sub merchantable trees to be removed will be trees of poor form and vigor, including trees excessively damaged as result of previous logging activity and/or infected by disease or insects.

All residual trees under 6.0 inch DBH shall be free of insect and disease.

6. Treat all existing dead and down concentrations of limbs and tops that range from one inch to six inches in diameter. Trees up to 12 inches DBH that are partially suspended or supported by another tree should be manipulated to be resting flat on the ground where it is practical without causing excessive damage to leave trees. Remove limbs greater than one foot in length from existing downed trees and reduce to the size of the woody debris specifications listed below.

7. Size of woody debris or “chips” upon completion of the project shall not exceed three inches in diameter and three feet in length. Average depth of the debris across the project area shall not exceed six inches with a maximum depth of twelve inches in isolated locations where dense vegetation exist.

Tree Selection Guide:

-Desirable leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown (in dominant & co-dominant crown positions), and straightest stems without forking, with no indication of insect, disease, damage. Select leave trees in the following priorities: Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-fir.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 11)

“Defer Treatment”

Current Conditions: Conditions within these stands have less than 25% RDI overall, and parts of these proposed areas may have minimal treatment needs. Stands with less than 25% RDI typically have less than 80 ft2 of basal area per acre, and less than 100 TPA. Stands without any treatment needs are likely not capable of supporting forested conditions or have not achieved full site occupancy.

Where “Additional Delineation Needed” is shown as a treatment type on the map provided (attachment

D), further delineation is likely needed to adequately address commercial and non-commercial treatment needs.

Desired Conditions: If applying this category during implementation, stand conditions should already meet desired conditions within another treatment type, or have minimal treatment needs as described above. Some areas may not be forested or may not support minimum stocking described by any other treatment type.

See other treatment types for desired conditions regarding residual trees.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 12)

Attachments

Attachment A: Legacy Tree Guidance

The Legacy Tree Guide for the Boise National Forest describes legacy tree characteristics for multiple species. Most legacy trees are over 150 years old and somewhat correlated with a 27.5” in DBH.

See the following figures for more information, as well as the Legacy Tree Guide itself.

Ponderosa Pine:

Generalized Ponderosa Pine Crown form and Tree Vigor

“Idealized forms represent three general age and four vigor classes (A: high vigor to D: low vigor). Vigor is a function of site productivity, response to disturbance and environmental stress. More than one individual is shown for vigor classes B through D to illustrate possible variations. Competition-based mortality usually ensures that most trees in vigor classes C and D do not survive to the next age class.”

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 13)

“The following Table contains the characteristics and scoring for rating ponderosa pine trees. As with all field guides, the scoring system provided in this document will not address every situation and application of both professional judgment and common sense will be necessary and is encouraged.”

Rating System for Determining Young, Mature and Legacy Developmental Stages for Ponderosa Pine

Trees

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 14)

Douglas-fir:

Generalized Douglas-fir Crown Form and Tree Vigor

“Idealized forms represent three general age and four vigor classes (A: high vigor to D: low vigor). Vigor is a function of site productivity, response to disturbance and environmental stress. More than one individual is shown for vigor classes B through D to illustrate possible variations. Competition-based mortality usually ensures that most trees in vigor classes C and D do not survive to the next age class.”

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 15)

“The following table contains the characteristics and scoring for rating Douglas-fir trees. As with all field guides, the scoring system provided in this document will not address every situation and application of both professional judgment and common sense will be necessary and is encouraged.”

Rating System for Determining Young, Mature and Legacy Developmental Stages for Douglas-fir Trees

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 16)

Attachment B: Sample Treatment Table: Current vs Desired Conditions

Commercial Thin Improvement Cut Improvement Cut

(Potential Old Forest) Defer Treatment

Non-Commercial Thin Fuels Reduction

Treatment - Mastication

Initial BA 105 99 150 72.25 132

Initial TPA 130 104 144 69 402

Post Harvest BA 69 65 79 N/A 90

Post Harvest TPA 93 64 88 N/A 230.5

Post Harvest BA > 8" 60 59 70 N/A N/A

Post Harvest TPA >8" 17 20 22 N/A N/A

%PIPO Total (Pre-Treatment) 71% 18% 54% 23% N/A

%PIPO Total (Post-Treatment) 71% 28% 54% N/A N/A

RDI (Pre-Treat) 34% 31% 48% 23% 54

RDI (Post-Treat) 22% 19% 24% N/A 35

%Canopy Cover Total (Pre-Treat) 42% 42% 62% 31% 52

%Canopy Cover Total (Post-Treat) 25% 25% 30% N/A 35

Notes on Modeled Removals

Overall target BA of 60-80.

A majority (typically 60-

75%) of removals will be from trees 16" or less in diameter. Remaining trees will be thinned from below, typically up to 22"-24" to meet basal area targets. Residual species comp on average retain 10% more pine compared to pre-treatment conditions.

Select for retention of

PIPO.

Overall target BA of 60-80.

A majority (typically 60-

75%) of removals will be from trees 16" or less in diameter. Remaining trees will be thinned from below, typically up to 22"-24" to meet basal area targets. Residual species comp on average retain 10% more pine compared to pre-treatment conditions.

Select for retention of

PIPO.

Overall Target BA of 80-

100. A majority (typically

60-75%) of removals will be from trees 16" or less in diameter. Remaining trees will be thinned from below, typically up to 22"-24" to meet basal area targets. Residual species composition will on average retain 10% more pine compared to pre-treatment conditions.

Select for retention of

PIPO, and higher retention of 16-20” PIPO for old-forest recruitment.

Additional delineation needed. Some areas within these stands will likely not need mechanical treatment, if

RDI is less than desired conditions, (less than

25%). Consider fuels treatments such as mastication, or non-commercial-only thinning, where applicable.

Overall target basal area of 90-120. Remove nearly all trees 0-8" DBH

(Maintain trees <= 2ft in height, and small, open-grown clumps). Thinning up to 16" as needed to meet spacing and density requirements. Hand-piling where necessary.

Mechanical removal of brush 0.25”-4.9” in diameter, sub merchantable trees up to

4.9” DBH, and down limbs

1”-7” diameter. Residual woody debris or chips should be less than 3”, with isolated areas not exceeding 6” where dense vegetation exists.

Average Values

See Other Treatment

Types for Overstory

Values

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 17)

Attachment C: PVG Map

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 18)

Attachment D: Preliminary Treatment Types Map

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 19)

Attachment E: Dwarf Mistle Rating Information

The 6-Class Dwarf Mistletoe Rating System described by Hawksworth (1977) is used to prioritize removal of mistletoe infected trees in the prescriptions above. See the following publication and excerpts for detailed information.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 20)

Attachment F: Tree Selection Guide

Tree selection should prioritize healthy, vigorous trees in the good to high vigor categories. Classes are described followed by pictures and sketches.

A: High vigor

Crown: full vigorous crowns with a length of 50% crown ratio or higher and wide crown width, and high density of needs with deep green color.

Foliage: needles are long usually dense and each branch has full needles on them on the upper ½ of the tree.

B: Good to fair vigor

Crown: Good to moderately vigorous crowns with length > 40% crown ratio, wide crowns but neither sparse nor ragged.

Foliage: Needles are long and usually dense within the upper ½ of the tree.

C: Fair to poor

Crown: fair to poor crowns – crown ratio can vary from 30 to 50%. Crowns are narrow and can be sparse

Foliage: Needles are short and most stems appear as having higher density and needle length on upper 1/3 of the crown.

D: Very poor vigor

Crown – Narrow crowns, and several branches have no needles on them and there is < 40% crown ratio.

Foliage: Needles are short, and foliage sparse or scattered, or only tufts at end of twigs.

Photograph: Tree on right has good vigor (B) tree on left has poor to very poor vigor (C and D). Sketch: Sketches illustrate the crowns of trees from high vigor (A) to poor vigor (D).

A B C D

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 21)

Attachment G: Treatment Type Decision Matrix

Timber Removal

High DMR Ratings /

Unhelathy Overstory?

Yes

Shelterwood with Sanitation

No

Minimal Overstory?

RDI <25% (BA

<80)

Yes

Further Delineation

Needed?

Yes

See Other Treatment

Types

No

"Defer Treatment"

Consider NCT and/or

Mastication

No

Old Forest? See Maps for

Approximate Locations

Yes

Desired Species Comp and Fuels obj. met?

Yes

"Defer Treatment"

No

"Potential Old Forest - Thin From Below"

No

Desired Species Comp Met?

Yes

Commercial Thin - Thin

From Below

No

Improvement Cut - Thin From

Below

Fuels Treatment

Slopes less than 35%? Areas contribute to effective fuelbreak?

Yes

Mastication

No

See Other Treatment Types.

Consider Non- Commercial

Thinning

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 22)

Attachment H: Harvest Card Template

USDA Forest Service Schedule of Items and Treatment Activity Record

See Appendix A for Instructions

Treatment Area Name:

Road Re-Construction Requirement(s):

Associated Treatment Item No.: Acres of Clump Marking (if applicable):

Treatment Unit #: Haul Route Miles (if applicable):

Treatment Unit Acres: Number of Landings (if applicable):

Treatment Type(s): Average Slope%:

Treatment Method: Favorable Skid:

Prescription Type: Adverse Skid:

Boundary Type and Measured Distance in Feet:

Temporary Road length in Feet:

# Water crossings needed:

Road Maintenance Miles (if applicable):

Road Re-Construction Miles (if applicable):

Contractor Notes COR/GTM Notes

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescriptions (Page 23)

Treatment Map Project: Go Big G-Z IRSC Treatment Area:

Associated Item No:

Treatment Unit:

Map Legend:

Property Designation

Treatment Area

Treatment Unit

Treatment Type(s)

Treatment Method

Prescription Type

Boundary Type

Clump Marking Locations

Roads –

Re-construction

Maintenance

Temporary

Improvements

Hydrology and Buffers

Heritage

Botany

Wildlife

Landing Locations