Pacific Southwest Research Station

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Title: Retrieving residue after overstory removal in true fir, northeastern California

Author: Fiddler, Gary O.; Weatherspoon, C. Phillip

Date: 1986

Source: Res. Note PSW-RN-383. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 5 p

Station ID: RN-PSW-383

Description: Overstory removal cutting, the most common means of converting old-growth stands to young growth stands in California, can produce excessive residues that pose management problems. Utilization is an attractive option for managing residues. However, the cost of residue retrieval and utilization is often prohibitive. Residue retrieval by a private contractor was studied to determine production rates and effectiveness after overstory removal on three blocks in true fir stands in northeastern California. Residues were inventoried before and after residue retrieval to determine the amount removed. The contractor removed 97 percent of the residue specified for retrieval and 68 percent of residue smaller than specifications, for a total of 136 dry tons (123 t). Residues down to about 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter were utilized for fuelwood. Production rates-0.53 ton (0.48 t) per man-hour and 0.67 ton (0.61 t) per equipment-hour-were low (costs high) for several reasons, including the small size of residues and restricted yarding patterns. Damage to the residual stand was negligible.

Key Words: overstory removal, forest residues, residue utilization, true firs, salvage rights, northern California

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Citation

Fiddler, Gary 0.; Weatherspoon, C. Phillip  1986.  Retrieving residue after overstory removal in true fir, northeastern California  Res. Note PSW-RN-383. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 5 p.