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Why Are Some Forests Clearcut? Different forest landowners have different objectives ranging from wood production and wildlife habitat to scenic beauty and recreation. They have several harvest options to choose from to reach their goals. Their choice is influenced by tree species as well as climate, landscape, economics and conditions that affect how the forest will regenerate and grow after harvest. Clearcutting, one of several harvest options, is a method in which most of the trees are removed and the forest is regenerated by planting new trees or where seeds from healthy trees are allowed to naturally regenerate the area. Not every location is suitable for clearcutting. Management Decisions While many people think of clearcutting as a harvest decision, forest landowners often choose to clearcut because of the regeneration needs of the tree species that will be grown in the future. Some tree species such as western larch, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine and western white pine grow poorly in shade and need full sunlight as seedlings to successfully compete with Illustration by C. Bruce Morser other vegetation. Clear- Clearcutting is used to renew areas cutting is also used to renew with tree species that grow best in full areas damaged by insects, sunlight and where there is damage by disease, windstorms or fire or to create wildlife habitat insects, disease, wind-storms or fire. for specific species. To grow healthier forests, areas with tree species such as grand fir which are prone to Diversity insect and disease problems are sometimes replanted A variety of harvest methods creates a mosaic with more resistant species of trees. of forest ages and habitat characteristics. This Idaho law requires that new trees be growing pattern is similar to landscapes created by within five years after harvest, and that trees be natural disturbances such as wind and fire. left as buffers around streams and retained for Scientists say the worst possible approach wildlife habitat. would be to manage all forestlands in the same way. Learn more at www.idahoforests.org.

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Sass Forestecomgt 2018.Pdf
Forest Ecology and Management 419–420 (2018) 31–41 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Forest Ecology and Management journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/foreco Lasting legacies of historical clearcutting, wind, and salvage logging on old- T growth Tsuga canadensis-Pinus strobus forests ⁎ Emma M. Sassa, , Anthony W. D'Amatoa, David R. Fosterb a Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA b Harvard Forest, Harvard University, 324 N Main St, Petersham, MA 01366, USA ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Disturbance events affect forest composition and structure across a range of spatial and temporal scales, and Coarse woody debris subsequent forest development may differ after natural, anthropogenic, or compound disturbances. Following Compound disturbance large, natural disturbances, salvage logging is a common and often controversial management practice in many Forest structure regions of the globe. Yet, while the short-term impacts of salvage logging have been studied in many systems, the Large, infrequent natural disturbance long-term effects remain unclear. We capitalized on over eighty years of data following an old-growth Tsuga Pine-hemlock forests canadensis-Pinus strobus forest in southwestern New Hampshire, USA after the 1938 hurricane, which severely Pit and mound structures damaged forests across much of New England. To our knowledge, this study provides the longest evaluation of salvage logging impacts, and it highlights developmental trajectories for Tsuga canadensis-Pinus strobus forests under a variety of disturbance histories. Specifically, we examined development from an old-growth condition in 1930 through 2016 across three different disturbance histories: (1) clearcut logging prior to the 1938 hurricane with some subsequent damage by the hurricane (“logged”), (2) severe damage from the 1938 hurricane (“hurricane”), and (3) severe damage from the hurricane followed by salvage logging (“salvaged”).
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Silviculture Is Trees
Forests and Iorestry are much in the news these days. More and more [he public is looking over the forester’s or the landowner’s shoulder and asking, "What is gi?ing on here?" Indeed, what-to-do-about-our-forests is such a newsworthy topic that there is an increasing need for a clear understanding of what foieslry really is. The essence of forestry-the art and science of grow- ing foresls-is called silviculture. And that is what this booklel is all about. Of course, there is mere to forestry than silviculture, but understanding the basic silvicultural options available for treating a forest is a first big step in exploring the entire range of foreslry. In its broadesl sense, forestry includes economic, social, and phil- osophical as well as biological considerations; silviculture deals primarily with the biological aspects of growing trees. Oespite its recent emergences as a national "issue’,’ forestry-and mere specifically, silviculture-is not a new invention. It has been known and practiced in Europe for hundreds of years and in Ibis country for nearly a century. A brief treatment of a complex subiect must, of course, generalize and simplify, and that is what we have done in the following pages. We are more concerned here with Ihe principles of silviculture than wilh specific applica- tions. The discussion should help the reader to better un- derstand what he reads and hears about forestry, and sees for himself in the woods. He will also learn Io use some of the terms defined and-more importantly per- haps-know when they are being misused.
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Clearcutting on State Forests
(Harlow,ONR-DLF-3 1997) (Harlow, 1997) / Clearcutting on State Forests New York State Department of Environmental Conservation DEC Program Policy Issuing Authority: Christopher Amato, Asst. Commissioner Title: Clearcutting on State Forests for Natural Resources Date Issued: 3/21/11 Latest Date Revised: N/A I. Summary: This Policy provides the procedures for clearcutting or conducting other regeneration cuttings on State Forests, including Reforestation, Multiple Use, and Unique Areas. II. Policy: It is the policy of the DEC Division of Lands and Forests (Division) to ensure all even-age regeneration methods on State Forests, including clearcutting, are undertaken in a sustainable and ecologically responsible manner with appropriate levels of agency oversight and public notice and in accordance with the Standards and Procedures of this policy. III. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure that clearcutting and other regeneration cuts undertaken by the Division as a forest management tool are done in a manner that (i) promotes long-term sustainability of the forest and the temporary establishment of early successional forest habitat, (ii) maintains the presence of shade intolerant species, and (iii) enhances biological diversity. This policy also describes the procedures to minimize negative visual impacts to the surrounding landscape from clearcutting and other regeneration cuts. In addition, this policy establishes procedures to keep all levels of the Division and the public informed of and educated concerning management decisions when conducting clearcutting and other regeneration cuts. This policy supports the Division’s goal to sustainably manage New York’s State Forests and to maintain green certification under the most current and applicable standards set forth by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI® ) and Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® ).
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Clearcutting in the National Forests: Background and Overview
98-917 ENR CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Clearcutting in the National Forests: Background and Overview November 6, 1998 (name redacted) Natural Resources Economist and Policy Specialist Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division Congressional Research Service The Library of Congress ABSTRACT Clearcutting is a controversial method of harvesting and regenerating stands of trees in which all trees are cleared from a site and a new even-aged stand is grown. It is a proven, efficient method of harvesting trees and establishing new stands, but is criticized for degrading soil and water quality, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics. Clearcutting is still the primary timber management method used in the national forests, although its use has declined over the past decade. Legislation to ban clear-cutting on federal lands has been introduced in the past few Congresses. This report provides background and an overview on clearcutting use and effects; it will probably not be updated. Clearcutting in the National Forests: Background and Overview Summary Clearcutting is a method of harvesting and regenerating trees in which all trees are cleared from a site and a new, even-aged stand of trees is grown. Clearcutting is the primary method of timber production and management in the national forests. However, this method of harvesting trees has been controversial since at least the 1960s. Many environmental and citizen groups object to clearcutting in the national forests, citing soil and water degradation, unsightly landscapes, and other damages. The wood products industry argues that clearcutting is an efficient and successful silvicultural system. Between 1984 and 1997, clearcutting accounted for 59% of the area harvested for regeneration in the national forests.
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Managing Forests for Fish and Wildlife
Wildlife Habitat Management Institute Managing Forests for Fish and Wildlife December 2002 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management Leaflet Number 18 Forested areas can be managed with a wide variety of objectives, ranging from allowing natural processes to dictate long-term condition without active management of any kind, to maximizing production of wood products on the shortest rotations possible. The primary purpose of this document is to show how fish and wildlife habitat management can be effectively integrated into the management of forestlands that are subject to periodic timber harvest activities. For forestlands that are not managed for production of timber or other forest products, many of the principles U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station in this leaflet also apply. Introduction Succession of Forest Vegetation Forests in North America provide a wide variety of In order to meet both timber production and wildlife important natural resource functions. Although management goals, landowners and managers need commercial forests may be best known for production to understand how forest vegetation responds following of pulp, lumber, and other wood products, they also timber management, or silvicultural prescriptions, or supply valuable fish and wildlife habitat, recreational other disturbances. Forest vegetation typically opportunities, water quality protection, and other progresses from one plant community to another over natural resource benefits. In approximately two-thirds time. This forest succession can be described in four of the forest land (land that is at least 10% tree- stages: covered) in the United States, harvest of wood products plays an integral role in how these lands are managed. Sustainable forest management applies Fish and Wildlife Air and Water biological, economic, and social principles to forest Wood Products Habitat Quality regeneration, management, and conservation to meet the specific goals of landowners or managers.
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Landowner's Guide to Woodland Wildlife Management University
G3578 A LANDOWNER’S GUIDE TO WOODLAND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT with emphasis on the ruffed grouse By Stephen DeStefano, Scott R. Craven, Robert L. Ruff, Darrel F. Covell and John F. Kubisiak Cover photo of the Leopold shack, Leopold Memorial Reserve, Baraboo, Wisconsin by Darrel Covell University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Wisconsin–Extension, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Ruffed Grouse Society of North America i CONTENTS PREFACE iii INTRODUCTION v Focus on the ruffed grouse vi The Wisconsin private woodland owner: a profile vii 1 A FOREST ECOSYSTEM PRIMER 1-6 5 MANAGING MATURE FORESTS AND THEIR Wildlife needs 1 WILDLIFE 31-35 Wildlife management principles 2 What is a mature forest? 31 Forest succession: the growth of The value of mature forests 33 a woodland 4 Turkeys 33 Managing the forest as an ecosystem 6 Squirrels 33 2 THE NATURAL ZONES OF WISCONSIN 7-10 Woodpeckers, wood ducks and other cavity-users 34 The Northern Forest 8 Songbirds 34 The Eastern Deciduous Forest 9 Mammals 35 The Central Sand Counties 9 Reptiles and amphibians 35 The Western Upland 9 6 FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS 36-39 3 DESIGNING A HABITAT MANAGEMENT Marketing timber 36 PLAN 11-14 Seven steps to successful timber harvest 36 Set management objectives 11 Cost-sharing programs 36 Inventory and evaluate your land 12 Tax considerations 38 Seek professional assistance 13 Finalize your management plan 14 CONCLUSION 40 4 MANAGING YOUNG FORESTS FOR GROUSE REFERENCES FOR FURTHER READING 41-42 AND OTHER WILDLIFE 15-30 Woodland wildlife management 41
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Canada's Rainforests Under Threat
CLEARCUTTING CANADA’S RAINFOREST STATUS REPORT 2005 Canada’s Rainforests Under Threat anada’s coastal temperate Key Findings rainforest is a magnificent ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ C and globally significant old- ➊ Clearcutting continues in Canada’s growth forest ecosystem that rainforests contains the highest biomass of any 74% of logging in Canada’s rainforest is ecosystem on the planet. Found on clearcut logging.1 the Pacific Coast of the province of British Columbia (B.C.), this rainforest ecosystem supports a ➋ Salmon streams under threat wide range of species, including 46% of logging in Canada’s rainforests is large wild Pacific salmon runs, taking place in the most productive salmon Grizzly bears, wolves, unique white watersheds. Kermode/Spirit bears, and rare species including the Northern Goshawk and the endangered ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ➌ Logging of old growth continues Marbled Murrelet. 78% of logging in Canada’s rainforests has been in old growth forests-home to majestic Compared to other areas of old growth cedar and sitka spruce. B.C., this region has remained relatively inaccessible to industrial- style resource extraction, leaving ➍ large areas impressively preserved. Species at risk Proposed protection for the Great Bear The largest remaining intact areas Rainforest leaves 80% of white “spirit” bear of this unique forest are found habitat at risk to logging.* between the northern tip of Van- couver Island and the Alaska Panhandle, including Haida Gwaii 1 Clearcutting is defined by the removal of over 70% of the trees
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Decomposition of Coarse Woody Debris Originating by Clearcutting of an Old-Growth Conifer Forest1
12 (2): 151-160 (2005) Decomposition of coarse woody debris originating by clearcutting of an old-growth conifer forest1 Jack E. JANISCH2,Mark E. HARMON, Hua CHEN, Becky FASTH & Jay SEXTON, Department of Forest Science, 321 Richardson Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5752, USA. Abstract: Decomposition constants (k) for above-ground logs and stumps and sub-surface coarse roots originating from harvested old-growth forest (estimated age 400-600 y) were assessed by volume-density change methods along a 70-y chronosequence of clearcuts on the Wind River Ranger District, Washington, USA. Principal species sampled were Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Wood and bark tissue densities were weighted by sample fraction, adjusted for fragmentation, then regressed to determine k by tissue type for each species. After accounting for stand age, no significant differences were found between log and stump density within species, but P. menziesii decomposed more slowly (k = 0.015·y-1) than T. heterophylla (k = 0.036·y-1), a species pattern repeated both above- and below-ground. Small- diameter (1-3 cm) P. menziesii roots decomposed faster (k = 0.014·y-1) than large-diameter (3-8 cm) roots (k = 0.008·y-1), a pattern echoed by T. heterophylla roots (1-3 cm, k = 0.023·y-1; 3-8 cm, k = 0.017·y-1), suggesting a relationship between diameter and k. Given our mean k and mean mass of coarse woody debris stores in each stand (determined earlier), we estimate decomposing logs, stumps, and snags are releasing back to the atmosphere between 0.3 and 0.9 Mg C·ha-1·y-1 (assuming all coarse woody debris is P.
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FNR-260 Natural Oak Regeneration Following Clearcutting on the Hoosier National Forest
PURDUE EXTENSION FNR-260 Natural Oak Regeneration Following Clearcutting on the Hoosier National Forest John R. Seifert, Extension Forester, Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; Marcus F. Selig, Research Associate, Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; Douglass F. Jacobs, Assistant Professor, Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; Robert C. Morrissey, Graduate Research Assistant, Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University Introduction for oak regeneration (Roach and Gingrich, 1968), and clearcutting was adopted as the primary method of oak Problem Statement forest regeneration on the Hoosier National Forest of Oak (Quercus spp.) forests moved into the Central Indiana and throughout much of the CHFR. Hardwood Forest Region (CHFR) approximately 7,000 years ago (Davis, 1981), where they dominated The clearcutting method involves removal of all the forested landscape through pre-settlement times stems in a stand with one cutting, allowing for natural (Abrams and McCay, 1996; Dyer, 2001). Their ability regeneration from existing seedlings and saplings, to supply high-quality timber, abundant wildlife food, stump sprouts, and seed. This method of harvest is and various other non-timber forest products allowed often favored due to its ease of implementation, and oaks to become the most important aggregation of economic benefits (Smith et al., 1997). Clearcuts hardwoods found in North America (Harlow et al., are also valuable in the CHFR due to their creation 1996). Seventeen species of oaks are native to Indiana. of extremely dense young stands with wide species Oak species comprised over a third of the 348 million diversity. These juvenile stands provide ideal habitat board feet (bd ft) of logs milled in Indiana in 2000 and food sources for many species of wildlife across (Bratkovich et al., 2004).
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FOREST MANAGEMENT 101 a Handbook to Forest Management in the North Central Region
FOREST MANAGEMENT 101 A handbook to forest management in the North Central Region This guide is also available online at: http://ncrs.fs.fed.us/fmg/nfgm A cooperative project of: North Central Research Station Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota Silviculture 21 Silviculture Silviculture The key to effective forest management planning is determining a silvicultural system. A silvicultural system is the collection of treatments to be applied over the life of a stand. These systems are typically described by the method of harvest and regeneration employed. In general these systems are: Clearcutting - The entire stand is cut at one time and naturally or artificially regenerate. Clearcutting Seed-tree - Like clearcutting, but with some larger or mature trees left to provide seed for establishing a new stand. Seed trees may be removed at a later date. Seed-tree 22 Silviculture Shelterwood - Partial harvesting that allows new stems to grow up under an overstory of maturing trees. The shelterwood may be removed at a later date (e.g., 5 to 10 years). Shelterwood Selection - Individual or groups of trees are harvested to make space for natural regeneration. Single tree selection 23 Silviculture Group tree selection Clearcutting, seed-tree, and shelterwood systems produce forests of primarily one age class (assuming seed trees and shelterwood trees are eventually removed) and are commonly referred to as even-aged management. Selection systems produce forests of several to many age classes and are commonly referred to as uneven-aged management. However, in reality, the entire silvicultural system may be more complicated and involve a number of silvicultural treatments such as site preparation, weeding and cleaning, pre-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, pruning, etc.
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Biodiversity and Coarse Woody Debris in Southern Forests Proceedings of the Workshop on Coarse Woody Debris in Southern Forests: Effects on Biodiversity
Biodiversity and Coarse woody Debris in Southern Forests Proceedings of the Workshop on Coarse Woody Debris in Southern Forests: Effects on Biodiversity Athens, GA - October 18-20,1993 Biodiversity and Coarse Woody Debris in Southern Forests Proceedings of the Workhop on Coarse Woody Debris in Southern Forests: Effects on Biodiversity Athens, GA October 18-20,1993 Editors: James W. McMinn, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Athens, GA, and D.A. Crossley, Jr., University of Georgia, Athens, GA Sponsored by: U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River Site, and the USDA Forest Service, Savannah River Forest Station, Biodiversity Program, Aiken, SC Conducted by: USDA Forest Service, Southem Research Station, Asheville, NC, and University of Georgia, Institute of Ecology, Athens, GA Preface James W. McMinn and D. A. Crossley, Jr. Conservation of biodiversity is emerging as a major goal in The effects of CWD on biodiversity depend upon the management of forest ecosystems. The implied harvesting variables, distribution, and dynamics. This objective is the conservation of a full complement of native proceedings addresses the current state of knowledge about species and communities within the forest ecosystem. the influences of CWD on the biodiversity of various Effective implementation of conservation measures will groups of biota. Research priorities are identified for future require a broader knowledge of the dimensions of studies that should provide a basis for the conservation of biodiversity, the contributions of various ecosystem biodiversity when interacting with appropriate management components to those dimensions, and the impact of techniques. management practices. We thank John Blake, USDA Forest Service, Savannah In a workshop held in Athens, GA, October 18-20, 1993, River Forest Station, for encouragement and support we focused on an ecosystem component, coarse woody throughout the workshop process.
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Harvest Regulations | Oregonforests
Oregon’s timber harvest regulations In Oregon, private forest landowners, loggers and timber companies harvest trees in a variety of ways, but all must comply with the Oregon Forest Practices Act. The state law outlines a set of rules for private timber harvesting aimed to protect soil productivity, water quality and wildlife habitat, and ensure replanting after harvest. With clearcutting, for instance, the state requires leaving forested buffers around streams as well as some standing trees and down logs for wildlife habitat. The forest practices rules also limit the size of clearcuts, and the entire harvest area has to be planted with seedlings to grow into a new forest. Private forest landowners must notify the state of a planned timber harvest. These tim- ber harvest notices are used by Oregon Department of Forestry stewardship foresters to inspect logging sites throughout the state and respond to complaints about potential vio- lations of the forest practices rules. Stewardship foresters spend a lot of their time edu- cating landowners about the rules, but also have the authority to cite and fine those who break the law. State forest protection rules governing private timber harvest Limits on clearcutting Oregon rules limit clearcuts to 120 acres, and adjacent areas in the same ownership can- not be clearcut until new trees on the original harvest site are at least four feet tall or are four years-old and the stand is free-to-grow. This “green-up rule” must be met before harvest can occur on an adjacent stand, meaning Oregon has an additional standard beyond survival for establishing a new forest.
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