220 SLASH DISPOSAL 



It spoils the appearance of the forest. There are many- 

 places where this factor has little weight. In connection 

 with the handling of public forests the idea of partial utilization 

 and development for recreational purposes is gaining ground. 

 This means that increasing attention will be given to forest 

 aesthetics. 



Methods of Slash Disposal. — Methods of such widely 

 diverse character have been developed for treatment of slash 

 as to meet the requirements of all conditions encountered in 

 the field. The principal methods for treating slash are dis- 

 cussed here. 



Disposal of Slash by Piling. — This requires the placing of 

 the slash in piles instead of leaving it scattered over the area. 

 The logger in the ordinary course of his work, to keep the slash 

 from hindering operations, throws it into loose piles or wind- 

 rows. This is essential where the amount of slash is large and 

 the timber is removed from the felling area by animal power. 

 Such treatment should not be confused with a piling method 

 under which the slash is piled systematically and the area it 

 occupies greatly reduced. 



Before slash can be piled the large tops and limbs must be 

 cut up and reduced to small enough size to be easily handled 

 and closely piled. The piles should be small and compact. 

 Large piles are more dangerous to burn than small ones and 

 usually require the brush to be carried farther. Loose piles 

 are difficult to burn cleanly and occupy too much space. 

 Piles may be made circular or rectangular in form. If rect- 

 angular, stakes should be set and the slash packed in tightly 

 between the stakes. 



Mitchell^ states: ''Round piles usually burn better than 

 long ones, since they are ordinarily more compact. . . . Ex- 

 perience has also shown that to burn to the best advantage 

 the height of a pile should equal, if not exceed, its diameter, 



