Work Sequence: Cutting and piling shall be performed in an organized and systematic manner as determined in the pre-work conference. Cutting with scattered crews within or between project areas shall not be permitted except where authorized by the COR. Cutting: Green and dead Pinyon, and Juniper (Cedar) trees up to 12 inches diameter and Oak trees up to 6 inches diameter measured at the root collar (ground level) located under and extending to 30 feet past the dripline of Ponderosa trees within the project boundaries shall be completely severed from the stump(s). No live or dead limbs shall be left on the stump of cut trees. Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches measured on the uphill side. All main branches or stems shall be cut from the trunk of the tree to meet pilling criteria. Bucking: Materials not piled shall be bucked or cut into lengths not to exceed 4 feet Piling: Piles shall be no larger than 6 feet high and 6 feet in diameter. Piles shall not be located within 15 feet of the unit boundary or any improvement/infrastructure such as fences, roads or cattleguards. Piles shall not be located within 15 feet of Ponderosa tree canopies or directly in the drainage bottom. The near edge of piles shall be at least 10 feet from the edge of any other pile. All cut and existing dead and down slash between one and five inches in diameter and greater than 2 feet in length shall be piled. Fine fuels (limbs with needles) shall be placed at the bottom of the pile with larger branches placed on top. Piles consisting entirely of dead trees without any needles will not be accepted. Piles shall be covered with kraft paper and shall be of a minimum size of 6’ X 6’ or large enough to cover a minimum of 80% of the pile volume to prevent moisture from getting into the piled wood. A minimum of at least 25% of the piled material shall be placed on top of the paper to prevent paper from blowing away. If conditions make it impracticable to locate piles so that damage to the Ponderosa trees cannot be completely avoided, “leave vegetation” may be cleared and piled to provide additional pile locations. All natural openings shall be used before clearing a pile site. Leave Trees: All vegetation other than Pinyon, Juniper, and oak is designated as leave trees.
