Attachment B_Elk Tooth 1 Marking Contract Specifications.pdf

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Medford-Park Falls Ranger District

Elk Tooth 1 Marking and Cruising Contract

Supplemental Specifications Layout has been completed on 177 acres for the Elk Tooth 1 Marking Contract. Unit boundaries are marked with two orange slashes above DBH, facing into the unit, and stump marks made with orange paint; except for the common (shared) unit boundaries which are marked with one slash mark on both sides of the tree above DBH and stump marks. Forest Road 132 and snowmobile trail 118 serve as a unit boundary and do not have paint along it. The Forest Service has traversed all units with GPS equipment. The acreages determined by this traverse are considered final.

Access will be from Forest Road 132. All other roads may be accessed via ATV with prior approval from Forest Service Representative.

All of the units will utilize cut-tree-marking for designating timber. All trees designated for cutting will be marked at breast height (4

– 7 feet above ground level) and will be marked with a single slash on two opposite sides of the tree so paint is visible from all directions. These trees require stump marks – one stump mark for trees tallied as pulp and two stump marks for trees tallied as saw.

Canopy Gaps within the sale have been identified by Forest Service staff prior to marking. Canopy Gaps can be identified by a reference tree marked with a white double band. These trees are marked along the edge of the canopy gap clearing and will also be indicated with a white vertical stripe facing the direction of the intended gap center. All trees greater then 1 inch at DBH shall be marked for removal in order to create a 60’ diameter, dripline to dripline, gap. Only merchantable trees shall be tallied and cruised.

A sample tree cruise will be used in all units. Sample groups and frequencies are provided in the following pages. For all cruise trees, the tree number from the cruise card will be painted on the tree. Additionally, flagging will be tied around the tree with all measurements for that tree written in permanent marker on the flagging. These requirements are necessary to ensure cruising is being done to standard. Cruise cards for each Harvest Unit will need to be submitted to Forest Service either prior to, or along with, request for payment of any Line Item. Upon request for payment the COR will inspect the unit using the following criteria: plots will be taken randomly through the stand and must average between plus or minus 10 BA from the residual basal area of the prescription across the whole unit, also each individual plot shall not be higher than 100 BA. Plots that fall within Canopy Gaps will not be included in the average BA for the unit and will not be evaluated by this criteria.

General Specifications:

• Timber marking paint (Mainly Type C) will be furnished by the Forest Service in quart or gallon containers depending on district’s inventory. Contractor will keep a daily log of marking paint used and trees tallied for each sample group per day and will submit this log when submitting a request for payment, or when requested by the Forest Service.

All empty marking paint containers will be returned to the Forest Service. A weekly reconciling of Contractor paint will be done by the Contracting Officer Representative either in the field or at the Park Falls Ranger Station. The Contractor will be responsible for providing all other equipment, including paint guns & ribbon.

• To ensure tree marking and volume guidelines in the Timber Marking & Volume Estimating BOA (Basic Ordering Agreement) the Contractors are required to have a Quality Control Plan: When Contractor requests acceptance of work, contractor must ensure he or she has used this Quality Control Plan and furnish any documents that support how he or she ensured the work has been completed. An example of a Quality Control Plan can be: Checking the unit by putting in ten random sample plots of which you check: 1-original basal areas, 2- residual Basal areas (trees not marked), 3-stump marks and DBH marks on marked trees, 4-tree selection good or poor; 5- provide a sketched map showing where these plots are along with a ribbon tied at plot center in a color different to what was used for cruise tree identification will be established and turned in with cruise cards.

• Stump marks, where required, should be placed on the lowest side of the stump, at ground level, on areas free from moss, ice, and snow in a location protected from harvest equipment damage and low enough to intersect the ground. Stump marks are extremely important to sale administration work and proper application is imperative.

• When marking next to a travel way, prescriptions will often require that paint be applied so as not to be visible from the travel way. In these situations, cut-tree-marks shall be applied parallel to the travel way, for approximately the first 25 feet. Stump marks should still be applied at the best location, as described above, even it is facing the travel way. FR 132 and Snowmobile Trail 118

• Within the desired residual BA guidelines, mark to provide for efficient falling and skidding to the transportation system.

Mark trees that would be damaged by larger trees that must be felled into them, or would have to be cut to get access to marked trees. Mark access routes 12 feet wide to accommodate forwarders, feller-bunchers, and processors as necessary throughout the stand, with particular attention to hillsides and the top of ridges and eskers. Skid trails on hillsides should be marked straight up and down the slope, not side hill. Ensure there is ample room for equipment to turn at the top and bottom of any hill. If physical features (such as swamps or ponds) prevent equipment from turning around at the bottom

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Medford-Park Falls Ranger District

Elk Tooth 1 Marking and Cruising Contract or top of a hill, do not mark any trees on that slope. Mark sub-merchantable trees in skid trails or falling areas with a vertical stripe at breast height and, if the stump diameter is estimated to be greater than 3” mark the stump as well.

Mark trees appropriately to ensure no equipment will operate within 50 feet of the high water mark adjacent to all lakes and navigable perennial streams. For all other streams and woodland ponds, mark appropriately to ensure no equipment operates within 15 feet of the high water mark.

When marking near established survey monuments, do not mark any established witness trees or any trees located between the witness trees and the survey monument. The objective is to prevent any damage to the survey monument by the operator. Inform COR of location of additional survey monuments found so they can be GPSed by Forest Service personnel.

If any large stick nests are found by the contractor they shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative of the nest’s location as soon as possible.

Any cultural resources discovered during project implementation will be protected through contract requirements.

Contractor will be required to stop work and promptly report any new discovery to the Contracting Officer Representative. The site will be evaluated and mitigation measures would be implemented as prescribed by a qualified heritage resources specialist.

The following pages contain Silvicultural Prescriptions, Maps, And Sampling Intervals

!10

!08

!09

-FR

131-FR 131

919-FR 919

13 1 B-F R 13

1B

1313A-FR 1313A

1313-F R 1313

1F

-FR

1F

132 G-FR 132G

131BA-FR 131BA131

G-FR 131G

W144364-W14436

132F-FR 132F

1316-FR 1316

131R-FR 131R

132GA-FR 132GA

W144335-W144335

W1

-W

1P

-FR

1P

W1

8-W

131FA-FR 131FA

132P-FR 132P

B-

FR

B

131M-FR 131M

118-120A-Price County Snowmobile-120A

28 27

21 22

0 0.25 0.50.125 Miles¯ NOTE: Landlines are approximate.

Marking Contract Area Map Elk Tooth 1

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Medford/Park Falls Ranger District

T38N R3E Sec. 27, 28 Scale 1:15,840

10/24/2022 Sheet 1 of 1

Legend Snowmobile Trail Section Line Wetlands

130503

CTY D

Vicinity Map

147-05

CNNF prescription format developed 8/15

CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET NATIONAL FOREST

MEDFORD-PARK FALLS RANGER DISTRICT

SILVICULTURAL PRESCRIPTION

STAND DESCRIPTION

EXISTING STAND CONDITION - BA/AC BY SPECIES AND DBH (DNR plots on 03/28/2019)

5” - 11” Poletimber

12” – 15” Small Sawtimber

16” – 25” Large Sawtimber

>25” Merchantable Total

BA/AC

Sugar Maple 21 15 8 2 46 White Ash 8 4 8 - 20 Black Ash 7 10 - - 17 Red Oak - 1 8 3 12 Basswood 1 2 5 - 8 Red Maple 2 4 1 - 7

American Elm 1 - - - 1 Ironwood 1 - - - 1

Yellow Birch 1 - - - 1 Total 42 36 30 5 113

Describe the existing stand condition: This is a variably-stocked northern hardwood stand with excellent species diversity. Average stocking is 113 ft2, but with a range of 60 – 150 ft2. Aside from a couple of plots taken in a natural gap and in past blowdown, average stocking would be around 124 ft2. Sugar maple poletimber and sawtimber is the major component of the stand. But a fair stocking of white ash, black ash, and basswood poletimber and sawtimber is also present. Red oak large sawtimber is found in the stand, especially on the south end of it. The stand is the result of wind damage from the 1977 downburst storm. Substantial damage occurred in the west portion of the stand. As a result of this damage, there are two distinct age classes present there. Saplings originating in heavy storm damaged areas range in height from 20 to 40 feet and now need to be adequately released. Overstocked areas not affected by the storm, primarily in the far east part of the stand, are even-aged.

There is currently blowdown present in the northwest corner of the stand. A snowmobile trail runs through the northeast corner of the stand.

The quality of the hardwood is fair to poor, with small areas of good timber. Currently, the poletimber size class (5”- 11”) and the small sawtimber size class (12”-15”) is overstocked. And the 40-year old sapling age class needs careful release by removing overstory trees on at least 5-10% of this stand to be another continued viable age class component. There are two soils that occur in this stand: a moderately drained Chequamegon silt loam to the south and a somewhat poorly drained Magnor-Very Stony Magnor silt loam to the north. No habitat type was listed for the Chequamegon soil type. The topography is gentle. The stand can be accessed using temporary road 1313.

Screening was completed and a Cultural Resource Site is shown to be located nearby this stand and must be professionally identified and mitigated prior to Unit Layout. No endangered, threatened, or sensitive species were identified within the sale area based on Forest Service records. No invasive plant species have been observed or have been listed in the stand.

DESIRED CONDITION

• Overstory dominated by sugar maple, hemlock and yellow birch in the hemlock-hardwood community; or sugar maple, basswood, white ash and yellow birch in the northern hardwood forest community. The desired forest age structure for hardwoods is uneven-aged with older classes well represented (ROD, page 2)

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT SALE NAME PU

Park Falls Hardwood Elk Tooth

STAND INFORMATION

Comp-Std Ac Forest Type

Size Den

Merch

BA

Avg

DBH MA

Site Index

Year of Origin LTP

Habitat Type Soil Type

147-05 103 89 9 113 13 2B

NM

(FRAM) 1929 3A3 -----

Chequamegon silt loam

SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES

From Forest Plan, p 3-9:

• Develop uneven-aged structure with older age classes well represented

• Emphasize multiple tree sizes

• Extended rotation to achieve trees 25 inches and greater

• Maintain and restore old growth characteristics

• Create some snags, tip-up mounds and coarse woody debris

• Release 40-year old regeneration through group selection cuts up to ½ acre in size on at least 5-10% of the stand area (i.e. – 167 foot in diameter overstory removal areas for release, a 10 to 20 minimum number)

• Create additional small gaps, up to 60’ in diameter, to encourage a new age class of regeneration to establish

LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

From ROD, page 1 & 2:

• Non-motorized 12 square mile area approximately 7,500 acres in Management Area 2B.

From Forest Plan, p. 3-8:

• Relatively continuous mid to late-successional uneven-aged northern hardwood dominate this landscape.

• Large patch conditions with a continuous canopy. Hardwood patch in thousands of acres.

• Forest succession of pioneer species to long lived species.

• Minimize habitat fragmentation.

• Natural revegetation of forest openings.

MARKING GUIDE

Treatment - Single Tree Selection Residual BA

83 ft2/ac

Estimated Treatment Acres – 103

Cut Tree Mark. Selectively mark this stand to 83 ft2/acre live residual basal area of trees 5.0” DBH and larger. This is an average for each stand;

most sample plots should have BA within 10 ft2 of the designated BA.

Desirable stocking per acre by diameter class is summarized at right. Tree selection should upgrade stand quality. It may be necessary in some spots to mark larger diameter poor quality or damaged trees in order to retain smaller diameter trees with potential for higher quality.

• Leave the healthiest and best-formed trees regardless of species or diameter class. The chart on the right is only a guide.

• If you remove one tree from a clump, remove all that are in that clump.

In general, select trees for harvest from the predominant size classes and select few trees from other class.

Order of Removal:

1. Risk/Defect: Any tree that will not live or will experience significant volume (related to existing defect) or value (related to tree grade) loss before the next cut should be considered first for removal. Assume a 20-year cutting cycle.

2. Crop Tree Release: Identify all crop trees. These trees should exhibit:

Dominance or co-dominance; vigorous crowns; at least one 16-foot butt log; grade 1 or veneer potential; good form; and be free of low or v-shaped forks. Once identified, remove the two most important poor-quality competitors. Releasing 20 - 30 ft2/ac of crop trees would be ideal. If low forks are encountered on pole-sized trees, leave adjacent trees to correct forking.

3. Unacceptable Growing Stock: Trees which, due to form, branching habit, crown position or insect and disease problems do not have the potential to make an eight-foot sawlog.

Size Class

Desired

TPA

Existing

TPA

Excess

TPA

Trees to Mark

5”-11” 58.3 132 73.7 1 of 2

12”-15” 19.8 41.8 22 1 of 3

16”-25” 21.6 16.5 -5.1 H. Risk

25”+ 0 .9 .9 All

Remaining Stems to Reach Target Basal Area of 83 ft2/ac: The table to the right shows the actual stocking in excess of the desired condition (Q = 1.3, maximum diameter of 25 inches). After removing the stems identified in 1 to 3 above, concentrate removals as follows to reach the target basal area of 83 ft2/ac.

• While maintaining the target basal area/acre of 83 ft2, target to remove:

- 20 ft2 in the 5-11” size class (1 of every 2 trees)

- 10 ft2 in the 12”–15” size class (1 of every 3 trees)

- Only high-risk trees in the 16-25” size class

- Up to 1 ft2 in trees over 25” DBH, except as reserves

Species Priority Discriminate against short-lived, intolerant species such as aspen. Favor longer-lived and less well-represented mid-tolerant species. The order of removal by species should generally be as follows: 1) white ash; 2) black ash; 3) ironwood; 4) sugar maple; 5) basswood; and 6) red maple.

Favor red oak, yellow birch, hemlock and paper birch for retention.

Canopy Gaps (Forest Plan 2-7)

• Establish a new age class of regeneration by creating 4-8 canopy gaps/acre 25 to 40-foot in diameter. Removal of 1-2 large trees or groups of smaller trees will accomplish this target. Mark poor quality, suppressed unmerchantable stems in those holes.

• Establish 1 canopy gap approximately 60-feet in diameter every 2 acres. Consider pre-establishing 51 purple-painted 60’ circle clearcuts as large gaps to allow for adequate cleaning of non-commercial stems.

Locate gaps in areas where regeneration is abundant, stem quality is poor, or where potential mid-tolerant seed trees occur (i.e. red oak, black cherry, yellow birch, butternut or white spruce).

• Release the existing age class of 40-year old regeneration where present through group selection cuts up to ½ acre in size on at least 5- 10% of the stand area (Ten to twenty 167-foot in diameter overstory removal areas)

• In all gaps, cut poor quality stems larger than 1” DBH.

Total BA Target BA

Poles 42.00 20.00

Sm. Sawtimber 36.00 18.00

Lg. Sawtimber 31.00 45.00 Larger than Max

DBH 4.00 0.00

The above table is only a guide. Quality stems is a primary objective for leave trees. Do not mark more than 40% of the existing basal area.

DESIGN FEATURES AND MITIGATION MEASURES

The existence of Cultural Resource Site 09020100034 is within or immediately adjacent to this stand. Contact the Forest Archeologist or District Paraprofessional to determine the exact location and site mitigation prior to Unit Layout.

M16a - Retain tops and limbs (<4" diameter) from 10% of the trees in the harvest area (e.g. one average-sized tree out of every 10 trees harvested). This guideline is compliant with the "goal is to have 5 or more oven dry tons per acre of FWD on site following the harvest" from the Wisconsin Forestland Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines.

M16c - Remaining tops could be removed as follows: limbing and processing at the stump and removing the main stem from 4” diameter inside bark to approximately 1” diameter inside bark. The remaining fine woody debris would be left at the stump. This guideline is compliant with the "goal is to have 5 or more oven dry tons per acre of FWD on site following the harvest" from the Wisconsin Forestland Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines.

G51 - Do not harvest yellow birch within the northern hardwood ecosystem unless its density must be lowered to facilitate recommended residual basal area, its regeneration is facilitated with canopy gaps, nurse logs, and/or planting, and sufficient seed source remains to take advantage of regeneration opportunities.

G52 - Retain butternut trees with more than 70% live crown, and when cankers affect less than 20% of the combined circumference of the bole and root flares. Retain butternut trees that have no cankers and at least 50% live crown. Dead or poor vigor butternut trees may be harvested. Butternut currently documented in 1160002, but could be found in any northern hardwood stand. If found, this measure would apply.

M52a - In addition, if butternut is encountered during sale layout, planned canopy gaps should be arranged to aid in butternut regeneration needs.

G53 - Maintain shade on and around large boulders, 10 feet in diameter and larger, by not establishing canopy gaps near them.

G61 - Reserve hemlock in northern hardwood prescriptions. The following are exceptions to this guideline: (1) Hemlock trees may be cut if they impede road or skid trail development, and (or) safety problems are improved;

and (2) On the Medford land base, (LTAs 212Xd05 and 212Xe05) thinning of hemlock clumps within northern hardwood stands (greater than 10% hemlock) is allowed when there is established hemlock regeneration, or hemlock regeneration efforts are planned within or adjacent to these clumps. Where hemlock regeneration is established, it will be protected and encouraged through site-specific protection measures.

M249- All treatments that have or are adjacent to snowmobile trails must leave a sufficient level of snow for snowmobiles (minimum of 4" of compacted snow) when trails are open. Snow plowing will be wide enough to allow for snowmobiles and logging trucks to pass at the same time where possible. The trail must be kept clear from debris at all times. Ground skidding on snowmobile trails is prohibited except at crossings designated by the timber sale administrator; use of forwarders on trails is allowed. Log landings must be placed off trails far enough so that logs are not within the cleared right of way of trail tread. A speed limit of 10 miles per hour will be followed by all logging equipment and trucks when operating on trails as well as posting caution “Logging Ahead” signs when logging is occurring. Hauling on snowmobile trails will be prohibited on Christmas and New Year’s holidays (from noon on December 23rd to 4am January 2nd), and all other weekends (from noon Friday to 4am Monday) when trails are open.

M262 - Minimally, no project-related surface disturbing activity can occur within 30 meters of a cultural resource boundary. To ensure that recorded cultural resources are protected, those located within 100 meters of projects will be monitored by a sale administrator who will ensure that there will be no encroachment to the established buffered zones. If measurable damage is ever found to have occurred during a project, consultation with SHPO will follow with evaluation of the cultural resource.

G301 - Apply tree-marking paint on the sides of trees that face away from travelways, use areas, and water bodies.

G303 - Visible portions of timber harvesting or other vegetation removal areas should receive the primary emphasis for slash treatment.

G308 – The following are motorized use area slash height guidelines for the visible area up to 100 feet from the edge of trails, use areas, water bodies, and Maintenance Level 5, 4, and 3 roads: Moderate SIO= Slash height less than or equal to 24 inches G309- The following are motorized use area slash height guidelines for the visible area up to 100 feet from the edge of trails, use areas, water bodies, and Maintenance Level 5, 4, and 3 roads: Low SIO= Slash height less than or equal to 36 inches G366 - When the only logging operations access alternative is from a gravel or paved road, the access road should have a gravel surface for the first 100 feet, unless it is used during frozen ground conditions.

G367 – Locate landings a minimum of 100 feet from a collector road. Landings should not be located within the road template of an arterial or town road (including the ditch line and back slope). Landing location exceptions can be obtained with written permission from the township.

G368 - Skidding should not occur on arterial or town roads.

G386 - Restrict harvest on northern hardwood sites to frozen ground conditions.

G394 - Reserve 4 to 9 live trees per acre larger than 11 inches. Focus on the largest trees available.

G395 - Develop and retain trees over 24 inches in diameter to increase the probability of natural gap formation and tip-up mounds. The number of reserve trees over 24 inches in diameter should be included within the 4-9 reserve live tree total. Large (over 24 inches) basswood, ash, yellow birch, and red oak are preferred for retention.

G396 - Emphasize the retention of long-lived conifers such as hemlock and white pine (as a component of the reserve live tree numbers). In addition, reserve other tree species that are not well represented in the stand or on the Forest (yellow birch, paper birch, red oak, white oak, American beech, etc.).

REMARKS

• The stand can be accessed using temporary road 1313.

• Frozen ground operation only.

• A Cultural Resource Site is shown to be located within or immediately adjacent to this stand and must be professionally identified and mitigated prior to Unit Layout.

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year FACTS Code Activity

0 4151 Single tree selection 0 or 1 4495 Site prep for natural regeneration—canopy gap cleaning

3 4341 3rd year stocking survey 5 4341 5th year stocking survey 5 4381 Certification of natural regen with site prep, minimum 2,000 trees/ac

Prepared by: Tim Friedrich

Reviewed by:

Approved by: Brian Bergman

Title: Forester

Title:

Title: District Silviculturist

Date: 06/12/2019

Date:

Date: 6/24/2019

147-09

CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET NATIONAL FOREST

MEDFORD-PARK FALLS RANGER DISTRICT

SILVICULTURAL PRESCRIPTION

STAND DESCRIPTION

EXISTING STAND CONDITION - BA/AC BY SPECIES AND DBH (DNR plots on 04/17/2019)

5” - 11” Poletimber

12” – 15” Small Sawtimber

16” – 25” Large Sawtimber

>25” Merchantable Total

BA/AC

Sugar Maple 32 19 6 2 59 Black Ash 6 6 10 1 23 White Ash 4 3 7 1 15 Red Oak 2 2 9 2 15

Red Maple 6 3 5 - 14 Basswood 1 2 5 1 9

Aspen 2 - 1 - 3 American Elm 3 - - - 3

Ironwood 1 - - - 1 Total 57 35 43 7 142

Describe the existing stand condition: This is a well-stocked northern hardwood stand with excellent species diversity. Sugar maple poletimber and sawtimber is the major component of the stand. But a fair stocking of black ash, white ash, red maple, and basswood poletimber and sawtimber is also present. Red oak large sawtimber is scattered throughout the stand. There is a fringe of aspen poletimber in the southeast part of the stand along the stand boundary line. Stocking for the 24 plots taken ranged from 70 ft2 to 210 ft2 with an average of 142 ft2. The stand has scattered wind damaged from the 1977 downburst storm. As a result, there are two distinct age classes present in some areas. Saplings originating in storm damaged areas range in height from 20 to 40 feet and currently are not adequately released. Overstocked areas not affected by the storm have a relatively open understory with scattered maple and ash saplings and scattered ironwood saplings.

The quality of the hardwood is fair to good. There is full stocking in all four size classes, with the poletimber size class (5”-11”) significantly overstocked. Because of the extremely overstocked conditions currently in the stand, not more than 40% of the stocking will be removed at this time and basal area/acre will be maintained at or slightly above 85 ft2. Ash must be targeted in this first selection harvest. 40-year old saplings need careful release by removing overstory trees on at least 5% of this stand to be a continued viable age class component. Soil in this stand is a moderately drained Chequamegon silt loam. The topography is gentle, but hummocky. Stand access will be from FR 132P which is to be reconstructed and temporary road 1313, which provides access into 3 different stands, and likely needs work as well.

Screening was completed and a Cultural Resource Site is shown to be located within this stand and must be professionally identified and mitigated prior to Unit Layout. No endangered, threatened, or sensitive species were identified within the sale area based on Forest Service records. No invasive plant species have been observed or have been listed in the stand.

DESIRED CONDITION

• Overstory dominated by sugar maple, hemlock and yellow birch in the hemlock-hardwood community; or sugar maple, basswood, white ash and yellow birch in the northern hardwood forest community. The desired forest age structure for hardwoods is uneven-aged with older classes well represented (ROD, page 2)

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT SALE NAME PU

Park Falls Hardwood Elk Tooth

STAND INFORMATION

Comp-Std Ac Forest Type

Size Den

Merch

BA

Avg

DBH MA

Site Index

Year of LTP

Habitat Type Soil Type

147-09 184 89 9 142 13 2B

NM

(ACSA3) 1937 3B3 ----

Chequamegon silt loam

09 and 10

SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES

From Forest Plan, p 3-9:

• Develop uneven-aged structure with older age classes well represented

• Emphasize multiple tree sizes

• Extended rotation to achieve trees 25 inches and greater

• Maintain and restore old growth characteristics

• Create some snags, tip-up mounds and coarse woody debris

• Release 40-year old regeneration on at least 5-10% of the stand area (10-20 acres)

• Create additional small gaps, up to 60’ in diameter, to encourage a new age class of regeneration to establish

LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

From ROD, page 1 & 2:

• Non-motorized 12 square mile area approximately 7,500 acres in Management Area 2B.

From Forest Plan, p. 3-8:

• Relatively continuous mid to late-successional uneven-aged northern hardwood dominate this landscape.

• Large patch conditions with a continuous canopy. Hardwood patch in thousands of acres.

• Forest succession of pioneer species to long lived species.

• Minimize habitat fragmentation.

• Natural revegetation of forest openings.

MARKING GUIDE

Treatment - Single Tree Selection Residual BA

85 ft2/ac

Estimated Treatment Acres – 184

Cut Tree Mark. Selectively mark this stand to 85 ft2/acre live residual basal area of trees 5.0” DBH and larger. This is an average for each stand;

most sample plots should have BA within 10 ft2 of the designated BA.

Desirable stocking per acre by diameter class is summarized at right. Tree selection should upgrade stand quality. It may be necessary in some spots to mark larger diameter poor quality or damaged trees in order to retain smaller diameter trees with potential for higher quality.

• Leave the healthiest and best-formed trees regardless of species or diameter class. The chart on the right is only a guide.

• If you remove one tree from a clump, remove all that are in that clump.

In general, select trees for harvest from the predominant size classes and select few trees from other class.

Order of Removal:

1. Risk/Defect: Any tree that will not live or will experience significant volume (related to existing defect) or value (related to tree grade) loss before the next cut should be considered first for removal. Assume a 20-year cutting cycle.

2. Crop Tree Release: Identify all crop trees. These trees should exhibit:

Dominance or co-dominance; vigorous crowns; at least one 16-foot butt log; grade 1 or veneer potential; good form; and be free of low or v-shaped forks. Once identified, remove the two most important poor-quality competitors. Releasing 20 - 30 ft2/ac of crop trees would be ideal. If low forks are encountered on pole-sized trees, leave adjacent trees to correct forking.

3. Unacceptable Growing Stock: Trees which, due to form, branching habit, crown position or insect and disease problems do not have the potential to make an eight-foot sawlog.

Size Class

Desired

TPA

Existing

TPA

Excess

TPA

Trees to Mark

5”-11” 58.3 162 103.7 3 of 5

12”-15” 19.8 41 21.2 1 of 2

16”-25” 21.6 26.7 5.1 1 of 10

25”+ 0 .4 .4 All

Remaining Stems to Reach Target Basal Area of 85 ft2/ac: The table to the right shows the actual stocking in excess of the desired condition (Q = 1.3, maximum diameter of 25 inches). After removing the stems identified in 1 to 3 above, concentrate removals as follows to reach the target basal area of 85 ft2/ac.

• While maintaining the target basal area/acre of 85 ft2, target to remove:

- 34 ft2 in the 5-11” size class (3 of every 5 trees)

- 17 ft2 in the 12”–15” size class (1 of every 2 trees)

- 5 ft2 in the 16-25” size class (1 of every 10 trees)

- Up to 1 ft2 in trees over 25” DBH, except as reserves

Species Priority Discriminate against short-lived, intolerant species such as aspen. Favor longer-lived and less well-represented mid-tolerant species. The order of removal by species should generally be as follows: 1) aspen; 2) black ash; 3) white ash; 4) sugar maple; 5) red maple; and 6) basswood.

Favor red oak, yellow birch, hemlock and elm for retention as reserves.

Canopy Gaps (Forest Plan 2-7)

• Establish a new age class of regeneration by creating 4-8 canopy gaps/acre 25 to 40-foot in diameter. Removal of 1-2 large trees or groups of smaller trees will accomplish this target. Mark poor quality, suppressed unmerchantable stems in those holes.

• Establish 1 canopy gap approximately 60-feet in diameter every 2 acres. Consider pre-establishing 92 purple-painted 60’ circle clearcuts as large gaps to allow for adequate cleaning of non-commercial stems.

Locate gaps in areas where regeneration is abundant, stem quality is poor, or where potential mid-tolerant seed trees occur (i.e. red oak, black cherry, yellow birch, butternut or white spruce).

• Release existing 40-year old regeneration where possible

• In all gaps, cut poor quality stems larger than 1” DBH.

Total BA Target BA

Poles 57.00 20.00

Sm. Sawtimber 35.00 18.00

Lg. Sawtimber 48.00 45.00 Larger than Max

DBH 2.00 0.00

The above table is only a guide. Quality stems is a primary objective for leave trees. Do not mark more than 40% of the existing basal area.

DESIGN FEATURES AND MITIGATION MEASURES

The existence of Cultural Resource Site 09020100157 is within or immediately adjacent to this stand. Contact the Forest Archeologist or District Paraprofessional to determine the exact location and site mitigation prior to Unit Layout.

M16a - Retain tops and limbs (<4" diameter) from 10% of the trees in the harvest area (e.g. one average-sized tree out of every 10 trees harvested). This guideline is compliant with the "goal is to have 5 or more oven dry tons per acre of FWD on site following the harvest" from the Wisconsin Forestland Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines.

M16c - Remaining tops could be removed as follows: limbing and processing at the stump and removing the main stem from 4” diameter inside bark to approximately 1” diameter inside bark. The remaining fine woody debris would be left at the stump. This guideline is compliant with the "goal is to have 5 or more oven dry tons per acre of FWD on site following the harvest" from the Wisconsin Forestland Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines.

G51 - Do not harvest yellow birch within the northern hardwood ecosystem unless its density must be lowered to facilitate recommended residual basal area, its regeneration is facilitated with canopy gaps, nurse logs, and/or planting, and sufficient seed source remains to take advantage of regeneration opportunities.

G52 - Retain butternut trees with more than 70% live crown, and when cankers affect less than 20% of the combined circumference of the bole and root flares. Retain butternut trees that have no cankers and at least 50% live crown. Dead or poor vigor butternut trees may be harvested. Butternut currently documented in 1160002, but could be found in any northern hardwood stand. If found, this measure would apply.

M52a - In addition, if butternut is encountered during sale layout, planned canopy gaps should be arranged to aid in butternut regeneration needs.

G53 - Maintain shade on and around large boulders, 10 feet in diameter and larger, by not establishing canopy gaps near them.

G61 - Reserve hemlock in northern hardwood prescriptions. The following are exceptions to this guideline: (1)

Hemlock trees may be cut if they impede road or skid trail development, and (or) safety problems are improved;

and (2) On the Medford land base, (LTAs 212Xd05 and 212Xe05) thinning of hemlock clumps within northern hardwood stands (greater than 10% hemlock) is allowed when there is established hemlock regeneration, or hemlock regeneration efforts are planned within or adjacent to these clumps. Where hemlock regeneration is established, it will be protected and encouraged through site-specific protection measures.

M262 - Minimally, no project-related surface disturbing activity can occur within 30 meters of a cultural resource boundary. To ensure that recorded cultural resources are protected, those located within 100 meters of projects will be monitored by a sale administrator who will ensure that there will be no encroachment to the established buffered zones. If measurable damage is ever found to have occurred during a project, consultation with SHPO will follow with evaluation of the cultural resource.

G301 - Apply tree-marking paint on the sides of trees that face away from travelways, use areas, and water bodies.

G303 - Visible portions of timber harvesting or other vegetation removal areas should receive the primary emphasis for slash treatment.

G308 – The following are motorized use area slash height guidelines for the visible area up to 100 feet from the edge of trails, use areas, water bodies, and Maintenance Level 5, 4, and 3 roads: Moderate SIO= Slash height less than or equal to 24 inches G366 - When the only logging operations access alternative is from a gravel or paved road, the access road should have a gravel surface for the first 100 feet, unless it is used during frozen ground conditions.

G367 – Locate landings a minimum of 100 feet from a collector road. Landings should not be located within the road template of an arterial or town road (including the ditch line and back slope). Landing location exceptions can be obtained with written permission from the township.

G368 - Skidding should not occur on arterial or town roads.

G386 - Restrict harvest on northern hardwood sites to frozen ground conditions.

G394 - Reserve 4 to 9 live trees per acre larger than 11 inches. Focus on the largest trees available.

G395 - Develop and retain trees over 24 inches in diameter to increase the probability of natural gap formation and tip-up mounds. The number of reserve trees over 24 inches in diameter should be included within the 4-9 reserve live tree total. Large (over 24 inches) basswood, ash, yellow birch, and red oak are preferred for retention.

G396 - Emphasize the retention of long-lived conifers such as hemlock and white pine (as a component of the reserve live tree numbers). In addition, reserve other tree species that are not well represented in the stand or on the Forest (yellow birch, paper birch, red oak, white oak, American beech, etc.).

REMARKS

• Frozen ground operations only

• Stand access will be from FR 132P which is to be reconstructed and temporary road 1313

• A Cultural Resource Site is shown to be located within or immediately adjacent to this stand and must be professionally identified and mitigated prior to Unit Layout.

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year FACTS Code Activity

0 4151 Single tree selection 0 or 1 4495 Site prep for natural regeneration—canopy gap cleaning

3 4341 3rd year stocking survey 5 4341 5th year stocking survey 5 4381 Certification of natural regen with site prep, minimum 2,000 trees/ac

Prepared by: Tim Friedrich

Reviewed by:

Approved by: Brian Bergman

Title: Forester

Title:

Title: District Silviculturist

Date: 06/17/2019

Date:

Date: 06/24/2019

CRUISE PLAN

Sale Name: Elk Tooth Sale Number: 11534

NEPA Document: PF Hardwoods

Prepared by: Ryan Brummer Date: 9-30-2019

1. Cutting Unit Info

Comp. / Stand Payment Unit Actual Acres (from GPS)

1147/05 08 62

1147/09 09 56

1147/09 10 59

Total Acres 177

Special Measures Area(s)? X Yes* No

Protected Area(s)? Yes* No

2. Product Merchantability.

Minimum Tree Specifications Minimum Piece Specifications

SPECIES PRODUCT DBH (inches) Length (feet)

DIB

(inches)

Minimum Net Scale in % of Gross

Hardwoods Sawlogs / 11.0 8 9.6-11.5 95 percent Hardwoods Sawlogs / 11.0 8 11.6 50 percent Aspen Sawlogs / 9.0 8 7.6 70 percent Softwoods Sawlogs 3/ 9.0 8 7.6 50 percent Hardwoods Pulpwood 5.0 8 4.0 70 percent sound 4/ and reasonably straight 5/ Softwoods and Aspen

Pulpwood 5.0 8 4.0 70 percent sound 4/ and reasonably straight 5/

1/ Only logs which meet grade 3 or better factory logs are considered sawlogs.

2/ Diameter Inside Bark (DIB)

3/ On softwoods, sawlog height may be terminated because of limb size when the sum of the diameter of limbs 2 inches or larger within a 1-foot span exceeds

Diameter Outside Bark (DOB) of the main stem at that point.

4/ 70 percent applies to rot, voids, and char. Mechanical type defects, such as sweep, crook, spider heart and ring shake shall not be considered.

5/ Reasonable straight: To be considered reasonably straight, hardwood pulp stick must slide through an 8-foot-long, 30-inch-diameter cylinder. Aspen and all softwoods need to slide through an 8-foot-long, 20-inch-diameter cylinder. When the true centerline of a minimum length piece does not deviate more than one half the inside diameter of the small end, plus 2 inches from a straight line drawn between the centers of the ends of the piece it is to be considered reasonably straight.

3. Silvicultural / Marking Guides.

SEE INDIVIDUAL STAND PRESCRIPTIONS IN SALE PREP FOLDER

(A) Method of Timber Designation:

X Cut Tree Mark

Leave Tree Mark

By Boundary Designation

(B) Paint Colors Used:

Orange – Payment unit boundaries Protected area boundaries Blue – CTM trees in CTM units

Green – CTM trees in specified roads corridor

4. Definition of Sample Population.

Recon Data consists of plots & cruise trees.

The Cruise Design Program estimates total plots & total cruise trees with the following cruise design.

5. Sampling Method & Intensity.

Strata Description

02 Hardwood

Sample Group Description

01 Small Hardwood Pulp

02 Large Hardwood Pulp 11+

03 Small Aspen

04 Large Aspen 11+

05 Mixed Conifer pulp

11 Small Hardwood Saw 11-15.9

12 Large Hardwood Saw 16+

15 Conifer Saw 9+

STRATA

PAYMENT

UNITS(S)

SAMPLING

METHOD

PLOT

SPACING

BAF

OR

PLOT

SIZE (FIX)

SAMPLE

GROUP

PRODUCT

SAMPLE

FREQUENCY

(STR & PCMTRE)

02 PU 8,9,10

177 Ac. 01 Small Hardwood Pulp

02 Large Hardwood Pulp 11+

03 Small Aspen

04 Large Aspen 11+

05 Mixed Conifer pulp

11 Small Hardwood Saw 11-15.9

12 Large Hardwood Saw 16+

15 Conifer Saw 9+