84 MISC. PUBLICATION" 11, U. S. DEPT. OF AGEICULTUKE 



In order that the marking policy may be more clearly understood, the timber 

 may be placed in subtypes, as follows (each subtype is treated separately) : 



(1) Uneven-aged stand — ground fully stocked with reproduction; at least 150 well- 

 established saplings and poles per acre. Mark all alpine fir 12 inches d. b. h. and over 

 having at least two ties, Mark all Engelmann spruce 14 inches d. b. h. and over having 

 at least three ties, provided that marking to this extent will not reduce the crown cover 

 to less than 50 per cent ; otherwise, raise diameter limit to obtain a 50 per cent crown 

 cover. 



(2) Uneven-aged stand in groups surrounded by open park grasslands or aspen — ground 

 fully stocked with reproduction on interior of groups. On interior of groups mark same 

 as No. 1. Around outer edges of groups, leave well crowned two and three tie trees to 

 seed up adjacent park areas and protect groups from wind throw, if there are not sufficient 

 trees of pole size for this purpose. Isolated trees in parks should be left regardless of 

 their size and condition. 



(3) Uneven-aged stands not fully stocked with reproduction; mark as in (1) but main- 

 tain a 50 per cent ground cover by raising the diameter limit to 16 or 17 inches if 

 necessary. This will insure sufficient seed supply. 



(4) Even-aged stands fully stocked with reproduction; mark as in (1). 



(5) Even-aged stands not fully stocked with reproduction; mark as in (3) ; mainte- 

 nance of 50 per cent crown cover will insure sufficient seed trees. 



According to the exchange agreement any tree having one 6 by 8 inch by 8 

 foot tie is merchantable ; therefore, any diseased tree will be marked if one or 

 more sound ties of this size can be made from it. 



All merchantable bristle-cone pine trees will be marked. 



The occasional white firs on the lower end of the area will not be marked, 

 since the company does not have to cut them under the agreement and does not 

 want them. 



As a rule, large trees will not be left on the area to insure a supply of seed 

 is case fire destroys the existing reproduction, since the fire resistance of these 

 larger trees is no greater than that of those around 14 inches d. b. h. How- 

 ever, a few of these larger trees should be left along the main streams, as tlieir 

 chance of escaping a fire is good on such locations. 



Because of the shallow-root systems of the species in the alpine type there 

 is a real danger of wind throw in opening up stands on wind-swept ridges 

 and isolated groups of timber. This should, therefore, be considered in marking 

 timber under such conditions. 



Often times a mixture of the above-described subtypes may occur, which 

 brings out the point that these rules should not be followed blindly, but should 

 be adjusted to meet conditions on the ground. 



Protection. — Brush disposal, alpine fir and Engelmann spruce types, Angostura 

 and Alamitos watersheds : In this type the brush resulting from all phases 

 of the operations will be lopped close to the ground but not scattered. The stubs. 

 of branches left on bole will not exceed 6 inches in length. Seed trees over 18 j 

 inches d. b. h. when left will be protected by pulling away the bnish to a) 

 distance of 15 feet from all sides of the tree. When the ground cover is dense, 

 skid trails and logging roads will be left free of brush in order to preserve 

 their value as fire lines. On open, steep hillsides not more than one out of 

 every three of the main skid trails will be left clear of brush for this purpose. 

 Brush should be scattered over the rest of these skid trails as a means of 

 retarding erosion. The brush disposal should not be allowed to get more than 

 two weeks behind the rest of the operation. This will probably require 

 permanent brush crews. 



Fire lines will consist of a strip 150 feet wide on which all brush and litter 

 is piled and burned. They should, whenever possible, be located along log 

 roads and skidways and must divide the cutting area up into blocks of not 

 more than 80 acres. They should run across topography on slopes and along 

 tops of ridges and bottoms of canyons. 



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