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(3) Preparing mineral soil seedbeds; 



(4) Providing favorable microenvironment (pitting, furrowing, 

 terraces, etc.). 



Various methods are used to prepare sites in Montana including: 



(1) Fire - one of the principal means of site preparation in Montana - 

 used for reducing slash, eliminating competition and creating 

 mineral soil seedbeds; often used in combination with mechanical 

 treatment (dozer pile and burn); 



(2) Chemical - rarely used in Montana; main purpose is to reduce 

 plant competition; 



(3) Mechanical - can be used to dispose of logging residue, eliminate 

 plant competition, prepare mineral soil seedbeds and create 

 favorable microenvironments. Most common mechanical site 

 preparation techniques are: 



(a) scarification - commonly used in Montana when logging 

 residue is machine piled for burning; involves exposing 

 mineral soil by removing vegetation and litter; 



(b) stripping and scalping - involves removing strips or small 

 patches of vegetation by machine or hand to reduce competition 

 and expose mineral soil; 



(c) terracing - construction of contour benches (usually the 

 width of tractor). This practice is not common on most 

 state, BLM, or private lands but has been used by the U.S. 

 Forest Service especially in the Bitterroot National Forest 

 (not employed at this time). 



