Attachment 4 - Silvicultural Prescriptions DRAFT - Copy.pdf

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 1)

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

Silvicultural Prescrip�ons

Contents Management Goals and Objec�ves:

Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines:

Defini�ons:

Treatment Area Descrip�ons:

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Commercial Thin - Thin From below” and “Improvement Cut – Thin from Below”

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Poten�al Old-Forest – Improvement Cut – Thin From Below”

Detailed Prescrip�on: “High Mistletoe Infec�on Ra�ngs– Shelterwood with Sanita�on”

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Non-Commercial Treatment Only”

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Fuels Reduc�on - Mas�ca�on”

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Defer Treatment”

Atachments

Atachment A: Legacy Tree Guidance

Atachment B: Sample Prescrip�on Table: Current vs Desired Condi�ons

Atachment C: PVG Map

Atachment D: Preliminary Treatment Types Map

Atachment E: Dwarf Mistle Ra�ng Informa�on

Atachment F: Tree Selec�on Guide

Atachment G: Treatment Type Decision Matrix

Prepared By: Brian Krupitzer Silviculture Forester

Signed By: Joshua Newman Cer�fied Silviculturist

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 2)

Management Goals and Objec�ves:

The following purpose and associated needs were iden�fied in the EA - FONSI for Sinker Creek - Boise Ridge Forest Health Project:

1. Conduct fuel treatments in the Wildland Urban Interface.

2. Manage species composi�on 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 infesta�on.

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 exis�ng forested stands that meet the defini�on of large tree size class (USDA USFS 2010a, Appendix A) or old forest habitat (USDA USFS 2010a, Appendix E).

Management ac�ons may occur within these stands, if they con�nue to meet the defini�ons of large tree size class and old forest habitat.

This design feature will not apply where it is inconsistent with management ac�vi�es needed to reasonably address human health and safety concerns or to meet hazardous fuel reduc�on objec�ves within wildland-urban interfaces (WUIs).

-VM-2: Designate for reten�on during sale prepara�on all ponderosa pine trees mee�ng the defini�on 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 ac�vi�es needed to reasonably address human health and safety concerns or to meet hazardous fuel reduc�on objec�ves within WUIs.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 3)

Defini�ons:

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

Poten�al Vegeta�on Group (PVG): Ecological classifica�on system used by the Boise Na�onal Forest Land and resource Management Plan. Desired Condi�ons for each PVG can be found within the amended forest plan (2010). See Atachment 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 (litle to no PVG 4 exists within the project area)

Stand Density Index (SDI): An expression of rela�ve stand density based on the predictable rela�onship.

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

Rela�ve Density Index (RDI): A rela�ve measure of Stand density Index, expressed as a percentage of maximum SDI.

Legacy Tree: The Legacy Tree Guide for the Boise Na�onal Forest describes legacy tree characteris�cs for mul�ple species. Most legacy trees are over 150 years old and somewhat correlated with a 27.5” in DBH.

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

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 Na�onal 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.

Old-Forest: Old-Forest habitat condi�ons are described in Table E-2 of the Boise Na�onal Forest Plan (Appendix E, pg 25).

• For PVGs 1 and 2, stands must meet the Large Tree Size Class designa�on, 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 composi�on.

• For PVG 3, stands must meet the Large Tree Size Class designa�on, 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 composi�on.

PIPO: Ponderosa pine

PSME: Douglas-fir

DMR: Dwarf Mistletoe Ra�ng. The 6-class dwarf mistletoe ra�ng system is used to priori�ze removals of mistletoe-infected trees (Hawksworth, 1977). See Atachment E for more informa�on.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 4)

Treatment Area Descrip�ons:

-“Commercial Thin/Improvement Cut– Thin From below”

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 composi�on, and treatment should priori�ze reten�on of Ponderosa Pine.

-“Poten�al Old-Forest – Improvement Cut – Thin From Below”

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.

-“High Mistletoe Infec�on Ra�ngs– Shelterwood with Sanita�on”

Stands are highly departed from healthy, historical reference condi�ons due to mistletoe infec�ons. No other treatment type would meet long-term desired condi�ons. Do not remove legacy trees but focus treatment on sanita�on of mistletoe infected trees. Desired basal area as low as 30-60.

-“Non-Commercial Treatment Only”

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

-“Fuels Reduc�on - Mas�ca�on”

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

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 5)

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Commercial Thin - Thin From below” and “Improvement Cut – Thin from Below”

Current Condi�ons: Stands designated with this treatment type typically have 80-120 �2 of basal area per acre, and a total density ranging from 60-150 TPA. Stands are either PVG 2 or 3, and generally meet the designa�on of Large Tree Size Class. Areas needing Improvement Cut treatments do not meet desired Large Tree species composi�on and have less than 60% PIPO for trees greater than 20” in diameter. Stands needing Commercial Thin treatments do meet desired minimums for Large tree species comp, and have at least 60% PIPO in trees greater than 20” in diameter. These stands are not approaching the forest’s defini�on of Old Forest, and typically have a rela�ve density index (RDI) between 25% and 35%.

These stands generally have total non-overlapping canopy cover of 35-50%. Many of these stands currently provide habitat 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 Condi�ons: Desired condi�ons include a basal area of 60-80 �2 per acre, and a range of TPA to meet this objec�ve. Desired condi�ons include maintaining the Large-tree structure, and will result in increased variability in the structure and spa�al arrangement of the residual trees. The residual unit will have an increase in its mean diameter, a reduc�on in ladder fuels, as well as a shi� in composi�on and structure towards legacy trees, fire-adapted conifers (ponderosa pine), and larger trees. Typically, most removals (60-75%) will be trees less than 16” or less in diameter. Remaining 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 �ming restric�ons regarding wildlife.

Residual Stocking Objec�ves: Perform these in order; subsequent items do not override any item preceding it:

1. Retain all Legacy Trees, unless as appropriate under VM-2. See Atachments/ Defini�ons regarding Legacy trees.

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

3. Retain 60% or more Ponderosa Pine in the overstory where condi�ons 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 separa�on between groups

6. Remove all conifer species up to 15” DBH within 30 � of aspen clones.

Tree Selec�on Guide:

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

2. Select healthy trees for reten�on that have good form and vigorous crowns. Priori�ze reten�on of dominant and codominant trees. See atachment F for specifics.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 6)

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Poten�al Old-Forest – Improvement Cut – Thin From Below”

Current Condi�ons: Stands designated with this treatment type may have up to 150 �2 of basal area per acre, and up to 140 or more TPA. Stands are either PVG 2 or 3 and will meet the designa�on of Large Tree Size Class. These stands are approaching (or already meet) the forest’s defini�on of Old Forest and may have an RDI over 40%. Stands with this treatment type may have the poten�al to meet minimum species composi�on requirements for Old-Forest designa�on post-treatment (60% PIPO in 20”+ trees for PVG 2, or 60% PIPO/PSME in 20”+ trees for PVG 3).

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

Desired Condi�ons: Desired condi�ons include a basal area of 80-100 �2 per acre, and a range of TPA to meet this objec�ve. Desired condi�ons are to overall promote or maintain Old-Forest habitat. Desired condi�ons include maintaining the Large Tree Size Class structure and will result in increased variability in the structure and spa�al arrangement of the residual trees. The residual unit will have an increase in its mean diameter, a reduc�on in ladder fuels, as well as a shi� in composi�on and structure towards legacy trees, fire-adapted conifers (ponderosa pine), and larger trees. Typically, most removals (60-75%) will be trees less than 16” or less in diameter. Remaining trees will be thinned from below, mostly up to 22-24” to meet basal area targets. Addi�onal 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 �ming restric�ons regarding wildlife.

Residual Stocking Objec�ves: Perform these in order; subsequent items do not override any item preceding it:

1. Retain all Legacy Trees, unless as appropriate under VM-2. See Atachments/ Defini�ons regarding Legacy trees.

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

3. Retain 60% or more Ponderosa Pine in the overstory where condi�ons 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 separa�on between groups

6. Remove all conifer species up to 15” DBH within 30 � of aspen clones.

Tree Selec�on Guide:

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

2. Select healthy trees for reten�on that have good form and vigorous crowns. Priori�ze reten�on of dominant and codominant trees. See Atachment F for specifics.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 7)

Detailed Prescrip�on: “High Mistletoe Infec�on Ra�ngs– Shelterwood with Sanita�on”

Current Condi�ons: Stands designated with this treatment type may have variable condi�ons for basal area or density. Stands are either PVG 2 or 3 and contain high amounts of dwarf mistletoe infec�on and mortality, typically in Douglas Fir. Current condi�ons are highly departed from the range of historic variability (HRV) for these PVGs. Stands with this treatment type may not have the poten�al to maintain a Large Tree Size Class designa�on, or Old-Forest designa�on if forest health issues are not addressed.

Desired Condi�ons: Desired condi�ons include a basal area as low as 30-60 �2 per acre, and a range of TPA to meet this objec�ve. Desired condi�ons are to improve stand resilience and reduce instances of dwarf mistletoe through sanita�on. Desired condi�ons may temporarily fall outside of the Large Tree Size Class structure to promote long-term forest health and resiliency. The residual unit will have an increase in its mean diameter, a reduc�on in ladder fuels, as well as a shi� in composi�on 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, un�l sanita�on or residual basal area targets are met.

Post-treatment, these stands may temporarily not meet desired canopy cover requirements for wildlife species. Forest health issues must be addressed to maintain sustainable levels of canopy cover long-term. See contract for specific �ming restric�ons regarding wildlife.

Residual Stocking Objec�ves: Perform these in order; subsequent items do not override any item preceding it:

1. Retain all Legacy Trees, unless as appropriate under VM-2. See Atachments/ Defini�ons regarding Legacy trees.

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

3. Retain non-host species in overstory where condi�ons exist.

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

5. Retain clear canopy separa�on between healthy residual trees.

6. Remove all conifer species up to 15” DBH within 30 � of aspen clones.

Tree Selec�on Guide:

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

2. Select healthy trees for reten�on that have good form and vigorous crowns. Priori�ze reten�on of trees with a DMR ra�ng less than 3, and keep healthy dominant and codominant trees where possible. See Atachment F for specifics.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 8)

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Non-Commercial Treatment Only” area or density, throughout mul�ple PVGs. These stands are typically inaccessible for mechanical treatment or may have minimal treatment needs to meet forest plan desired condi�ons overall.

Numbers provided below for desired condi�ons assume that mechanical treatment and whole tree yarding is not an accessible op�on, resul�ng in higher residual stand densi�es overall.

Desired Condi�ons: Desired Condi�ons include basal areas from 90-120 �2 per acre. Desired condi�ons include maintaining the Large Tree Size Class structure and will result in increased variability in the structure and spa�al arrangement of the residual trees. The residual unit will have an increase in its mean diameter, a reduc�on in ladder fuels, as well as a shi� in composi�on and structure towards legacy trees, fire-adapted conifers (ponderosa pine), and larger trees. Thinning includes trees 16” or less in diameter. Trees will generally be thinned from below, un�l 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 �ming restric�ons regarding wildlife.

Residual Stocking Objec�ves: Perform these in order; subsequent items do not override any item preceding it:

1. Cut all conifer species < 12.0 inches DBH within 30 feet of aspen clones with 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 on the upper 2/3 of tree crown. Ponderosa pine trees with branch infesta�on 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 greater than 20 inches DBH.

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

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 clumps and openings. Clumps 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 Selec�on Guide:

-Desirable leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown (in dominant & co-dominant crown posi�ons), and straightest stems without forking, with no indica�on of insect, disease, damage. Select leave trees in the following priori�es: Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-fir.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 9)

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Fuels Reduc�on - Mas�ca�on” area or density, throughout mul�ple PVGs. Treatment areas will have slopes of 40% or less, and will generally have dense fuel loads, with con�nuous fuels in the form of brush, sub merchantable trees, or dead and down, woody material. Mas�ca�on areas may overlap with other treatment types to address residual fuel loads post-harvest.

Desired Condi�ons: Desired condi�ons will reduce poten�al fire behavior within the understory of forested areas. The residual unit will have an increase in canopy base height, increased torching index, a reduc�on in ladder fuels, and reduced amounts of coarse woody debris. Areas included for mas�ca�on should generally work together to provide an effec�ve fuelbreak within the project area.

Residual Stocking Objec�ves:

1. Retain clumps of Aspen. Clumps are defined as at least 5 healthy (white bark, green leaves with litle to no evidence of disease or damage) live aspen trees at least 5 feet tall. Trees are members of the same clump if they are within 30 feet of at least one other tree in the clump.

2. Mas�cate 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.

3. Mas�cate 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.

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

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

5. Treat all exis�ng dead and down concentra�ons of limbs and tops that range from one inch to six inches in diameter. Hazard trees up to 12 inches DBH that are par�ally suspended or supported by another tree should be manipulated to be res�ng flat on the ground where it is prac�cal without causing excessive damage to leave trees. Remove limbs greater than one foot in length from exis�ng downed trees and reduce to the size of the woody debris specifica�ons listed below.

6. Size of woody debris or “chips” upon comple�on 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 loca�ons where dense vegeta�on exist.

Tree Selec�on Guide:

-Desirable leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown (in dominant & co-dominant crown posi�ons), and straightest stems without forking, with no indica�on of insect, disease, damage. Select leave trees in the following priori�es: Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-fir.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 10)

Detailed Prescrip�on: “Defer Treatment”

Current Condi�ons: Condi�ons 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 �2 of basal area, and less than 100 TPA. 25% Where “Addi�onal Delinea�on Needed” is shown as a treatment type on the map provided (atachment D), further delinea�on is likely needed to adequately address commercial and non-commercial treatment needs.

Desired Condi�ons: If applying this category during implementa�on, stand condi�ons should already meet desired condi�ons within one of the other treatment types. Alterna�vely, sites that are not forested, or do not support minimum stocking levels may be included in this category and will not have needs addressed by any other treatment type.

Residual Stocking Objec�ves:

See other treatment types for desired condi�ons regarding residual trees.

Tree Selec�on Guide:

See other treatment types for desired condi�ons regarding residual trees.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 11)

Atachments Atachment A: Legacy Tree Guidance

The Legacy Tree Guide for the Boise Na�onal Forest describes legacy tree characteris�cs for mul�ple species. Most legacy trees are over 150 years old and somewhat correlated with a 27.5” in DBH.

See the following figures for more informa�on, 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 func�on of site produc�vity, response to disturbance and environmental stress. More than one individual is shown for vigor classes B through D to illustrate possible varia�ons. Compe��on-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 Prescrip�ons (Page 12)

“The following Table contains the characteris�cs and scoring for ra�ng ponderosa pine trees. As with all field guides, the scoring system provided in this document will not address every situa�on and applica�on of both professional judgment and common sense will be necessary and is encouraged.”

Ra�ng System for Determining Young, Mature and Legacy Developmental Stages for Ponderosa Pine Trees

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 13)

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 func�on of site produc�vity, response to disturbance and environmental stress. More than one individual is shown for vigor classes B through D to illustrate possible varia�ons. Compe��on-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 Prescrip�ons (Page 14)

“The following table contains the characteris�cs and scoring for ra�ng Douglas-fir trees. As with all field guides, the scoring system provided in this document will not address every situa�on and applica�on of both professional judgment and common sense will be necessary and is encouraged.”

Ra�ng System for Determining Young, Mature and Legacy Developmental Stages for Douglas-fir Trees

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 15)

Atachment B: Sample Prescrip�on Table: Current vs Desired Condi�ons

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 16)

Atachment C: PVG Map

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 17)

Atachment D: Preliminary Treatment Types Map

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 18)

Atachment E: Dwarf Mistle Ra�ng Informa�on

The 6-Class Dwarf Mistletoe Ra�ng System described by Hawksworth (1977) is used to priori�ze removal of mistletoe infected trees in the prescrip�ons above. See the following publica�on and excerpts for detailed informa�on.

Robie Creek G to Z IRSC – Silvicultural Prescrip�ons (Page 19)

Atachment F: Tree Selec�on Guide

Tree selec�on should priori�ze 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 ra�o 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 at least 1 foot or more of 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 ra�o, wide crowns but neither sparse nor ragged.

Foliage: Needles are long and usually dense or thri�y and have at least a ¾ to a foot of needles on the upper ½ of the tree.

C: Fair to poor

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

Foliage: Needles are short and most stems have < ¾ foot of foliage but they 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 or only contain < 6” of needles on the branches and there is < 40% crown ra�o.

Foliage: Needles are short, and foliage sparse or scatered, or only tu�s at end of twigs.

Photograph: Tree on right has good vigor (B) tree on le� 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 Prescrip�ons (Page 20)

Atachment G: Treatment Type Decision Matrix

Timber Removal

RDI <25%

Yes

Further Delineation

Needed?

Yes

See Other Treatment

Types

No

"Defer Treatment"

Consider NCT and/or

Mastication

No

Old Forest?

Yes

Desired Species Comp and Fuels obj. met?

Yes

"Defer Treatment"

No

"Potential Old Forest - Thin From Below"

No

High DMR Ratings

Preventing Large Tree

Designation?

Yes

Shelterwood with Sanitation

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