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See
onsite Thinning
photo simulations
Diameter
of largest tree cut in thinning
Alternatives:
1 -No
action, no trees cut
2 -12 inches
3 -16 inches, except 21" for white fir
4 -21 inches, except 25" for white fir
5 -no limit on tree size, though cutting trees larger than 21" would
be the exception, not the rule
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In the case
of this project, primarily small and medium sized trees would be removed.
The largest sized tree to be cut varies under each alternative.
Removal of
lesser numbers of trees may not significantly reduce the competition stress,
thus, susceptibility to bark beetles and disease. If the maximum level
of thinning allowed by an alternative is not sufficient to lower the susceptibility
of an individual stand to either wildfire or to insects and disease, then
the stand is not proposed for treatment under that alternative since there
would be little benefit. (see alternatives map)
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Aspen
Restoration: Removal of conifers and/or regeneration
of aspen by cutting or mechanical methods. Objective is to improve conditions
for growth and establishment of aspen. |
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Defensible
Space Connection: Thinning trees generally 8 in. dbh or less from below
in natural stands, favoring early seral species. This prescription was applied
within 600 ft. of evacuation-route roads and within 1200 ft. of private
land with structures and summer home tracts- stands that did not have a
thinning or underburning treatment already assigned to them were given this
prescription to provide continuity in defensible space for firefighters,
and to reduce fireline intensity adjacent to private property (except for
Sections 17, 19, and 29- former Willamette Industries forest land). |
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Dwarf
Mistletoe Control: Pruning/snag creation in stands where overstory trees
are infecting young trees in the understory. |
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Larch
Restoration: Thinning to 21 in. dbh with group openings up to 3 acres.
This prescription would be applied to stands with a substantial component
of western larch, and that are moderately to heavily infected with larch
dwarf mistletoe. These stands are experiencing substantial mortality of
larch due to mistletoe and competition from pine, white fir, and Douglas-fir.
The objectives would be to remove as much of the mistletoe as possible while
creating conditions favorable for establishment and growth of natural regeneration
and planted larch. The resulting stand would be more open than the thinning
to 21 in. dbh treatment (HTH). Pruning would be done to retain as many prunable
larch as possible, depending on available funding. |
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Meadow
Enhancement: Restoration and maintenance of natural meadows through
cutting of conifers and/or burning. |
| View
onsite 'before-after' photo simulations |
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Small
Tree Thinning: Would involve thinning trees generally 12 in. dbh or
less. Would promote growth on residual trees, reduce stress on old-growth
pines, and reduce fire hazard. |
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Thinning:
Thinning from below to 16 in. or 21 in. (depending on alternative) leaving
the healthiest trees and favoring ponderosa pine, western larch, white pine,
and Douglas-fir. This thinning would be applied where the objectives are
to:
· Maintain or move toward goshawk foraging habitat
· Move toward spotted owl NRF
· Maintain or move toward spotted owl dispersal habitat
· Reduce fire risk and density in riparian reserves
· Maintain or create suitable white headed woodpecker habitat
· Create defensible space
· Move toward spotted owl NRF in mixed-conifer dry PAG (grow large
pine first in fire-climax mixed-conifer) |
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Shelterwood:
Regeneration by the shelterwood method (trees left are assumed to be long-term
retention)- applied to stands with moderate to high mortality from root
diseases, post-budworm traumatic stress syndrome, etc., i.e. stands that
are currently being regenerated by these agents. All mistletoe-free ponderosa
pine >= 21 in. dbh and additional healthy and desirable early seral trees
(where present) would be left to achieve a residual spacing of 40 to 75
feet (average of 7-25 trees per acre). |
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Prescribed
Underburning: Underburning in stands with a fire-resistant overstory
and fewer small trees than found in small tree thinning treatments. Thinning
of trees up to 8 in. would be applied where needed as a pre-treatment to
fire. Mowing of brush species would also be applied where existing brush
density and height would contribute to undesirable fire behavior. |