CHAPTER XIII 

 SLASH DISPOSAL 



Definition. — Slash is understood to include all the debris 

 left in the forest as the result of a cutting (or other agencies) 

 and comprises the tops, branches and unutilized portions of 

 the trees cut together with other trees uprooted or broken 

 off in the process or as a consequence of the logging. A 

 broad definition of the term includes also dead trees and 

 windfalls on the ground previous to the logging. Slash is 

 created not only as a result of cutting, but also as a result of 

 other destructive agencies, the most important being fire, 

 and wind, which may cause the death and overthrow of a 

 large portion of the stand. 



Silvicultural Effects of Slash. — Slash as defined above 

 consists of such a variety of material that it is best to divide 

 the total into several classes of material before discussing its 

 silvicultural effect. 



Classification of slash: 



{a) Material which decays rapidly. Includes small 



branches and tops and foliage. 

 {h) Large branches and tops, 

 (c) Logs and unused portions of the bole. 



The relative amounts of the different classes of material on 

 a given area show wide variations depending primarily upon 

 the conditions governing utihzation of forest products. With 

 intensive utilization the slash that remains may consist only 



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