C04m_10 End of the World Marking Guide.pdf

End of the World Marking Guide Casey Seaman, South Zone Silviculturist

Intermediate Treatment Options

Grand fir dominated stand marking example

Primarily mixed conifer stands dominated by GF with PP, WL, DF, and LP present. Thin from below across the stand leaving gaps, openings, and clumps to create mosaic patterns and maintain desirable species.

Retain an average of 60-80 sq ft. of basal area (or roughly 60-110 TPA based on an assumed 12 in DBH average) across the harvest unit.

• Species preference is PP=WL>WP>DF>ES>GF>LP>SAF.

• Leave largest, healthiest and most well-formed trees available.

• Where no PP or WL is available, leave the healthiest and most well-formed trees available (This varies from leaving the largest trees available, we want to prioritize health and vigor and species preference over tree size. Leaving large, healthy trees is preferred, but when necessary smaller trees of better health and species preference is preferred), utilizing the species preference list.

Example: a 25” grand fir can be cut and a 4” ponderosa can be left.

• Leave gaps and clumps creating mosaic. Gaps can result in some areas (up to 5 ac in size) with less than 60 TPA. These openings can make up approximately 30% of the stand.

• Trees selected for retention should be healthy and have good vigor, free of forks or sweeps. No visible conks or frass from bark beetles. Tree crowns should be green with a crown ratio greater than 25%.

• In root rot pockets and brushy openings, daylight the PP/WL and remove the diseased/dead trees. Where root disease is obvious, remove all trees within the root disease pocket to reduce advancing spread.

• Leave legacy trees in commercial thin units. These trees appear in clumps or as single trees. The legacy trees will be left as future snag habitat. Where older, larger trees from the previous disturbance exist (i.e. Legacy Trees - defined as trees remaining from the previous stand disturbance, typically several size classes larger than the current stand and may have stem or butt rot), leave 2-5 per acre for wildlife purposes, future course woody debris and for stand structure where possible. These leave trees may be counted as part of the overall TPA, but they are not left for crop tree or seed tree purposes.

• Pacific yew is to be retained in all units whenever feasible. Maintain a minimum of 50% of live yew in any given stand in patches of 1/4 – 1/2 acer in size. Ideally, place clumps or retain buffer trees around Yew to provide cover and avoid sunscald. Yew for retention should be the healthiest specimens available in the stand, with preference given to specimens in tree form, or well-established patches of Yew.

• Unit edges should have variable density or feathered edges to reduce appearances of abrupt lines and untreated patches up to 1/4 an acre may be utilized where needed to add structural complexity and reduce potential windthrow. Subject to site specific conditions and upon consultation with agency Silviculture and Timber personnel.

Ponderosa Pine dominated stand type marking example

Primarily mixed conifer stands dominated by PP, PP/GF, or PP/DF with other shade tolerant species present. Retain between 80 to 120 sq ft. of basal area (roughly 100-150 TPA based on an assumed 12 in DBH average) by Thinning from Below across the stand leaving gaps, openings, and clumps to create mosaic patterns and maintain desirable species.

• Species preference for retention WL=PP>DF>ES>GF>LP>SAF.

• Leave largest, healthiest and most well-formed trees available.

• Where no PP or WL is available, leave the healthiest and most well-formed trees available (This varies from leaving the largest trees available, we want to prioritize health and vigor and species preference over tree size. Leaving large, healthy trees is preferred, but when necessary smaller trees of better health and species preference is preferred), utilizing the species preference list.

Example: a 25” grand fir can be cut and a 4” ponderosa can be left.

o Example. 10-acre stand. Leave 70 TPA. Total of 700 trees remain in the unit. One acre is all LP that was removed, so average 78 TPA across the rest of the 9 acres in the unit.

o *This might be too complex for a DxP.

• Leave gaps and clumps creating mosaic. Gaps can result in some areas (up to 5 ac in size) with less than 60 TPA. These openings can make up approximately 30% of the stand.

• Trees selected for retention should be healthy and have good vigor, free of forks or sweeps. No visible conks or frass from bark beetles. Tree crowns should be green with a crown ratio greater than 25%.

• In root rot pockets and brushy openings, daylight the PP/WL and remove the diseased/dead trees. Where root disease is obvious, remove all trees within the root disease pocket to reduce advancing spread.

• Leave legacy trees in commercial thin units. These trees appear in clumps or as single trees. The legacy trees will be left as future snag habitat. Where older, larger trees from the previous disturbance exist (i.e. Legacy Trees - defined as trees remaining from the previous stand disturbance, typically several size classes larger than the current stand and may have stem or butt rot), leave 2-5 per acre for wildlife purposes, future course woody debris and for stand structure where possible. These leave trees may be counted as part of the overall TPA, but they are not left for crop tree or seed tree purposes.

• Pacific yew is to be retained in all units whenever feasible. Maintain a minimum of 50% of live yew in any given stand in patches of 1/4 – 1/2 acer in size. Ideally, place clumps or retain buffer trees around Yew to provide cover and avoid sunscald. Yew for retention should be the healthiest specimens available in the stand, with preference given to specimens in tree form, or well-established patches of Yew.

• Unit edges should have variable density or feathered edges to reduce appearances of abrupt lines and untreated patches up to 1/4 an acre may be utilized where needed to add structural complexity and reduce potential windthrow. Subject to site specific conditions and upon consultation with agency Silviculture and Timber personnel.

Intermediate Treatment Overlap with Existing Old Growth Marking Example

Old growth will occur across multiple forest types within the project area. Refer to the marking guidelines above for specific marking in those forest types along with the additional criteria below. Old growth will occur within potions of harvest units due to how old growth is defined on a different scale than how the harvest units were identified. This could require two different treatment methods or different leave tree requirements within one harvest unit depending on how the unit layout is done in the future.

• Species preference for leave tree retention WL=PP>DF>ES>GF>LP>SAF.

• Leave all trees greater than 21” DBH with a minimum average of ≥15 TPA over 21” DBH.

• Retain all snags ≥21” DBH and at least 40’ tall with a minimum of .5 snags per acre.

• Where possible, maintain a total canopy closure of at least 70% consisting of two or more canopy layers.

• Thin throughout the diameter range of minimum cutting spec up to 20.9” DBH retaining 100 -140 sq.

ft. basal area (approximately 85-115 TPA based on a 15” DBH average) leaving the largest and healthiest trees available Where no PP or WL is available, leave the healthiest and most well-formed trees available (This varies from leaving the largest trees available, prioritize health and vigor and species preference over tree size. Leaving large, healthy trees is preferred, but when necessary smaller trees of better health and species preference is preferred), utilizing the species preference list. Example: a 25” grand fir can be cut and a 4” ponderosa can be left.

Regeneration Harvest Marking Example Depending on the amount, condition and location of WL and PP in regeneration treatment units, the treatment could vary between clearcut, seed-tree, and shelterwood treatment methods. This is also dependent on the intent of the treatment and the intent of the leave trees. Example: 15-30 TPA healthy and well-formed WL and or PP that would be left with the intent of being a seed source for natural regeneration would be a seed-tree treatment method. Example: Harsh or South facing site, 5-10 TPA WL or PP, not enough for seed-tree treatment. 30-40 TPA healthy mature DF to create shade and microsites for seedlings in the future. Leave all the WL, PP along with 25-40 TPA DF for a shelterwood treatment.

• Remove all GF, SAF, and LP.

• Species preference for leave tree retention WL=PP>DF>ES>GF>LP>SAF.

• If the primary preferred species aren't available, ES may also be considered as acceptable leave trees.

• Grouping leave trees where available is preferred to reduce potential windthrow.

• Retain legacy trees. These trees appear in clumps or as single trees. The legacy trees will be left as future snag habitat. Where older, larger trees from the previous disturbance exist (i.e. Legacy Trees - defined as trees remaining from the previous stand disturbance, typically several size classes larger than the current stand and may have stem or butt rot), leave 2-5 per acre for wildlife purposes, future course woody debris and for stand structure where possible. These leave trees may be counted as part of the overall TPA, but they are not left for crop tree or seed tree purposes.

• Pacific yew is to be retained in all units whenever feasible. Maintain a minimum of 50% of live yew in any given stand in patches of 1/4 – 1/2 acer in size. Ideally, place clumps or retain buffer trees around Yew to provide cover and avoid sunscald. Yew for retention should be the healthiest specimens available in the stand, with preference given to specimens in tree form, or well-established patches of Yew.

Precommercial Thinning/Mastication Marking Example The selective felling, deadening, or removal of trees from a young stand maintaining a specific stocking or stand density range by hand or mechanically. This type of thinning occurs before stems are merchantable (3”– 8" DBH), typically in young, dense stands but can be done in stands up to 12” DBH. Reasons to conduct PCT/Mastication include:

• Reduce overstocking and competition among trees

• Increase growth, vigor, and quality of residual crop trees

• Improve resistance to stress, insects, disease, and fire risk

• Improve species composition toward desired future forest conditions Species preference for retention is WL=PP>DF>ES

• Leave trees should be Healthy, free of disease, major defects, dead tops, dwarf mistletoe, decay conks, or heavy damage

• Spacing between leave trees can range from 14-30 ft depending on the objective (Example:

tighter spacing for a healthy mixed conifer stand to reduce density and improve growing space for leave trees. Wider spacing for a pine dominated stand to reduce the potential for future bark beetle disturbance).

• Brush and shrub greater than 1 foot in height will be treated.

• Stump height is not to exceed 6” with a target of 0-6” with no lower live limbs left

• For PCT activities, fuel depth should be reduced to a depth of 2 ft or less and bucked to 4’ lengths or less.

• Hand piling of PCT slash to be burned at a later time can be added to reduce fuel loading.

• For mastication, Piles of this debris greater than 3 inches deep over a 25 square foot area are unacceptable.

• The result of the treatment will be small debris (limbs, sticks, needles, “chips”) less than or equal to 3 inches in diameter by 1 foot to 4 feet in length over entire treatment area.

• No trees will be fell across or into creeks/water features or roadways. Contractors shall remove any debris, slash material or chip residue, that is cast or falls onto roadways or water features (including banks, cut banks and road shoulders) prior to the changing locations within the project area.

This marking guide is for general guidance and is not intended to address every forest type or cutting specifications that will be used throughout the project area. All marking recommendations will be reviewed and approved by the agency Silviculturist prior to implementation. This marking guide is subject to change based on site specific conditions that arise if they are not covered in this guide.