Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. Mastication Specifications: 1. Masticate all standing understory vegetation (alive or dead) greater than 2 feet in height but not over 6-inch Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). This includes tree and brush species ranging in diameter from 0.25-inch brush stem to 6-inch DBH trees. Stumps and stobs created from severing will be less than 6 inches in height. Crop or leave trees are to be dominant or codominant conifers selected by the Contractor on a 15-20 foot spacing, or as designated by the Forester-in-charge. Spacing may vary to select the most desirable trees. However, spacing control, using the original guidelines, will be maintained whenever possible. The number of trees per acre will not be materially increased or decreased. a. The acceptable range for trees per acre is 109 to 194. b. The maximum diameter to cut is 6” DBH. 2. When selecting crop trees, a variety of species should be selected. Leave trees shall be those trees of the tallest height, largest crown, straightest stems that are free of insects, disease and physical or biological defects. The following are the acceptable crop trees of preference by grouping of most preferred. a. Group 1: Hardwoods, Western White Pine, Western Larch, and Ponderosa Pine. These species will always take precedence over groups 2 and 3. If these species meet crop tree requirements, they will always be left as first preference. b. Group 2: Douglas Fir, Lodgepole Pine, and Western Red Cedar. These species will always take precedence over group 3 using the best and tallest tree principle. c. Group 3: Grand Fir, Western Hemlock, Engleman Spruce. These species will be used only if there are not possible crop trees from group 2. Trees will be selected using the best and tallest tree principle. 3. Trees to be removed will be trees of poor form and vigor, including trees excessively damaged as result of previous logging activity. Living culls are further defined as: a. conks present b. white pine blister rust present c. western gall rust on the stem of the tree d. “suckers” or trees on which the top has died back and the terminal growth assured by another limb e. “dry” or dead side 4. Tree selection must be based on tree quality. Use of species as selection criteria shall be between trees of relatively equal height and diameter. All crop trees shall be free of insects and disease. 5. Treat all existing dead and down concentrations of limbs and tops that range from one inch to seven inches in diameter. Remove all hazard trees up to 12 inches DBH that are partially suspended or supported by another tree until they are resting flat on the ground. Remove limbs greater than one foot in length from existing downed trees and reduce to the size of the woody debris specifications listed below. 6. Size of woody debris or “chips” upon completion of the project shall not exceed three inches in diameter and three feet in length. Average depth of the debris across the project area shall not exceed three inches with a maximum depth of six inches in isolated locations where dense vegetation exists.
