RICHARDS PEAK UNIT PRESCRIPTION 



Sale Name: Richards Peak Unit Number: 3 



Location -Section 16 TWP: 24N RGE: 27W Subd: 



Elevation: 4800 Slope: 35% (0-60%) Aspect: SW, W 



Habitat type: PSME/SYAL, ABGRyXETE Acres: 124 



Soils: Andic Cryochrepts, Typic Ustochrepts. Soils are well drained and moderately coarse. 

 Surface layers are formed in volcanic ash influenced loess. Subsoils are rocky, containing 55 to 

 95 percent rock fragments. Soil erosion hazard and sediment delivery efficiency are moderate. 



Description of existing stand: The unit consists of even-aged, single storied stand of Douglas- 

 fir (91%) with minor components of western larch (5%), lodgepole pine (2%) and ponderosa pine 

 (2%)) present. The overstory averages 172 trees per acre with an average age of 120 years and an 

 average diameter of 1 1 inches. Stocking is fairly uniform throughout, with open areas on slopes 

 that face to the south. Tree growth and vigor is declining in the overstory due to overstocked 

 stand conditions. There are approximately 300 understory trees per acre scattered throughout the 

 stand. The understory is mostly Douglas-fir with some grand fir in wetter sites. Clumpy 

 distribution of understory is due to closed canopy condiUons of the overstory. Insect and disease 

 problems were noted in unit. Small pockets of root disease can be found adjacent to road the 

 goes through the unit. The pockets are no larger than a tenth of an acre and no signs of root 

 disease were found in any other area of the unit. Bark beetles are also present in unit. The 

 Douglas-fir beetle has killed a few of the older overstory in the past several years but their 

 numbers seem to be on the decline. Mountain pine beetle activity is on a sharp increase. Pockets 

 of beetle killed overstory have become more visible in the last two years, mainly due to drought 

 and overstocked stand conditions. 



Treatment Objectives: 



1 . Improve the health and vigor of the unit by removing intermediate, suppressed, and the 

 less vigorous overstory trees. 



2. Protect soil productivity by minimizing soil displacement, compaction and erosion, and 

 site productivity by retaining 10-15 tons of down woody debris and fine fuels per acre after 

 treatment. 



Prescribed Treatment: Commercial Thin 



Harvest method: Ground based logging unit with approximately 45 acres of cable logging 

 required. Harvest method will consist of individual tree selection. Trees will be harvested 

 using existing and newly constructed logging roads. The Forest Officer will approve skid 

 trail and landing locations prior to use. The commercial thinning treatment will remove 

 intermediate, suppressed and less vigorous trees to provide more growing space and 

 nutrients for remaining trees. 



