FOREST RESOURCES OF THE PONDEROSA PINE REGION 



Forest Management 



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AS already intimated, success in establishing a 

 permanent forest economy in this region 

 depends on the solution of two major 

 problems in forest management in the ponderosa 

 pine types. First, and most important, the large 

 area of stagnated old-growth forests must be con- 

 verted to growing condition. Second, growth of 

 the immature forests, which on the whole is much 

 less than half capacity, must be increased. Except 

 in a few instances it is doubtful if other forest types 

 are suitable for even fairly intensive management. 

 Approximately 12 million acres, amounting to 



74 percent of the region's commercial forest land, 

 is classified as ponderosa pine land. And about 



75 percent of this is occupied by old-growth saw- 

 timber stands (fig. 33), most of which contain more 

 than 80 percent ponderosa pine. Some 10 percent 

 supports second-growth saw-timber stands (type 

 21), and 12 percent small second-growth stands. 

 The remainder is deforested. 



Selective Timber Management 



Selective cutting apparently offers the most 

 effective method of vitalizing stagnant old-growth 

 stands. The great importance of advance repro- 

 duction in ponderosa pine management has been 

 conclusively demonstrated. If not destroyed dur- 

 ing logging or slash-hazard abatement, the young 

 growth already established under cover of the 

 virgin forest will perpetuate the forest without 

 interruption. On the other hand, if the advance 

 reproduction is destroyed, vagaries of climate and 

 seed crop may delay establishment of a satisfactory 

 second crop 30 or 40 years or even longer. 



The uneven-aged character of the virgin pon- 

 derosa pine forest favors selective cutting of some 

 form or other. The growth characteristics of indi- 



vidual trees range from those of young rapid- 

 growing trees to those of overmature slow growing. 

 The range in immediate conversion value is as 

 great; some trees are high in value, others are of 

 low or negative value. 



Partial cutting, loosely called selective cutting, 

 has been practiced for many years, not only on 

 the publicly owned national forests and Indian 

 reservations, but also on private lands. The de- 

 gree of cutting has varied, but generally it has been 

 heavy, with 80 percent or more of the original stand 

 removed in the first cut (fig. 34). Marking of trees 

 for cutting on national forests and Indian lands 

 has been based on silvicultural characteristics. 

 On private lands the general rule is to remove all 

 trees of positive conversion value. 



Basic Principles 



Fundamental rules for management of ponde- 

 rosa pine stands are clearly evident. Briefly 

 stated the objectives of management are, other 

 things being equal: 



A. To cut heavy enough to: 



1 . Reduce insect loss to inconsequential levels. 



2. Provide an economic operation. 



3. Stimulate growth of reserve sawlog trees, poles, 



and reproduction. 



B. To cut light enough to: 



1. Harvest rapidly the high-value trees over the 



entire operating tract. 



2. Reduce subsequent windfall losses to a minimum. 



3. Leave an adequate reserve stand for an early 



second cut. 



4. Provide a seed supply where needed. 



To accomplish these objectives the following 

 cutting rules are proposed. 



A. Cut high-quality trees of: 



1. High-mortality probability. 



2. Low-value increment. 



B. Leave low-quality trees of: 



1. Low-mortality probability. 



2. High-value increment. 



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