510 . JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



$0,166 per tree, or 50 cents per acre, figuring three trees per acre. 

 These costs would be much higher now than in 1917. It is presumed 

 from Mr. Birch's data that subsistence was not figured in his costs, 

 which if true would raise his figures materially.^ 



The present cost figured on the basis of $1.50 to $3 per acre with 

 an average of 2.5 trees per acre would give a felling cost of from 60 

 cents to $1.20 per snag. The cost obtained in the Modoc experiment 

 was for both standing and down trees, but on the average it took longer 

 to fire the down trees since in the majority of cases it was necessary 

 to start at least two fires for each down tree. If the burning had been 

 confined to the standing trees only, more acreage would have been 

 covered and the cost per acre lowered. Consequently, it is believed that 

 the cost of li cents per acre would be representative for the type and 

 topography. The cost v/ould naturally be higher for more rugged 

 country and for fir and mixed types. 



The burning cost of 14 cents per acre against a minimum charge of 

 $1.50 for felling standing snags would warrant the use of it in timber 

 sale practice, supplemented by the use of the auger, as required. 



APPLICATIOX OF THE BURXIXG METHOD 



1. As indicated above this method can be used on timber sales. 

 Instead of figuring on an operating cost in stumpage appraisals of 

 $1.50 to $3 per acre for felling snags, the Forest Service can burn not 

 only the standing dead trees but dispose of windfalls, unmerchantable 

 trees and logs left after logging, for much less than it now costs to saw 

 down the standing trees. A higher stumpage rate could be obtained 

 for the timber and the timber sale area would be cleaner, more 

 sanitary, and have a lower fire hazzard. It would result in a com- 

 bined preventive measure against fire, insects, and disease. 



2. Areas of high fire hazard, such as occur along railroad rights of 

 way, highways, and forests visited by campers and hunters, could be 

 made less dangerous by the disposal of dead trees by burning. 



3. Snags and down timber can be eliminated along artificial and 

 natural fire barriers for a width of from 400 to 600 feet and used for 

 suppression should occasion arise. 



4. Lines of natural fire defense such as roads, ridges, streams, etc., 

 can be cleared of snags and windfalls and made the stronger thereby. 



'JouRX.^L OK Forestry, December. 1918. 



