EFFECTIVE DATE: August 29, 2008
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed. / 2409.17_2
Page 3 of 107
FSH 2409.17 – silvicultural practices handbook
Chapter 2 - reforestation
Forest Service Handbook
Eastern region (region 9)
MILWAUKEE, WI
fsH 2409.17 – Silvicultural practices handbook
chapteR 2 – reforestation (Reserved)
Supplement No.: R9 RO 2409.17_2-2008-3
Effective Date: August 29, 2008
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: FORREST E. STARKEYDeputy Regional Forester / Date Approved: 8/29/08
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this Handbook was R9 RO 2409.17-2008-2 to Chapter 8.
New Document / R9 RO 2409.17-2008-3 Chapter 2 / 107 PagesSuperseded Document(s) / None / 0 Pages
Digest:
Entire Supplement – Provides direction for Region 9 reforestation
2.01 - AUTHORITY 4
2.02 – OBJECTIVE 4
2.03 - POLICY 4
2.06 - REFERENCES 4
2.1 - GENERAL REFORESTATION ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 4
2.2 - REFORESTATION PRACTICES 5
2.21 – Forest and District Reforestation Planning 7
2.3 - REFORESTATION PRESCRIPTION 9
2.31 - Considerations for Reforestation Prescriptions 10
2.32 - Synopsis of Common Reforestation Problems in the Eastern Region 19
2.33 - Natural Regeneration 20
2.34 – Artificial Reforestation 23
2.35 – Species Restoration 23
2.4 - NURSERY COORDINATION 23
2.41 - Critical Nursery/Reforestation Program Coordination Dates 24
2.42 - Ordering Planting Stock (Sowing Requests) 24
2.43 - Ordering Trees (Lift and Pack Requests) 26
2.44 - Seed Inventories 27
2.45 - Planting Stock Standards 27
2.46 - Predictors of Stock Quality 31
2.47 - Standard Grading Specifications 32
2.48 - Surplus Tree Seedlings 33
2.5 - SITE PREPARATION 34
2.51 – Site Preparation Requirements for Reforestation 35
2.52 - Methods 36
2.53 - Additional Considerations 39
2.6 - DISTRICT SEEDLING CARE AND HANDLING 42
2.61 - Receipt of Tree Seedlings 43
2.62 - Tree Seedling Storage 50
2.63 - Tree Care from Storage to Planting 53
2.64 - Testing for Spoiled or Damaged Trees 58
2.65 – Storage Options 59
2.7 - TREE PLANTING TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES 59
2.71 - Planting Spot Selection - Microsites 59
2.72 - Planting Spot Site Preparation 60
2.73 - Planting Hole Design 60
2.74 - Hand Tools for Planting 61
2.75 - Planting Machines 71
2.76 - Planting the Bareroot Seedling 73
2.77 – Planting the Container (Plug) Seedling 76
2.78 - Artificial Seeding Projects 76
2.79 - Coppice Projects 79
2.8 - TREE PLANTING CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION 80
2.81 - Contract Preparation 81
2.82 - Contract Inspection 84
2.83 – Payment 94
2.9 - REFORESTATION SURVEYS AND MONITORING 95
2.91 - Quality Control and Reports 95
2.92 – Project Status Classification 95
2.93 - Stocking Surveys 97
2.94 - Staked Tree Survival Surveys 104
2.95 - Monitoring Reports 106
2.01 - Authority
The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-588; 90 Stat. 2949; 16 U.S.C. 1600) guides all management of National Forest System lands in conjunction with other laws.
1. Section 4 of the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) states that the policy of Congress is that all forested lands in the National Forest System should be maintained in appropriate forest cover. Appropriate forest cover is described as "species of trees, degree of stocking, rate of growth, and conditions of stands designed to receive maximum benefits of multiple use sustained yield management in accordance with land management plans."
2. Section 6 of the NFMA states that lands will not be planned for timber harvests unless there is assurance that such lands can be adequately reforested within five years after regeneration harvest. This has been interpreted to apply to both even-aged and uneven-aged harvests.
2.02 – Objective
Provides reforestation personnel with basic information for reforestation program in Region 9.
2.03 - Policy
See FSM 2470 for silvicultural activities policy. Reforestation and nursery practices are covered in FSM 2472 and 2473, respectively.
Regions shall meet Congressional direction through the implementation of the Forest Plan and silvicultural prescriptions. Species composition and desired stocking needed to meet objectives are stated in Forest Plans and individual National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decisions. Treatments undertaken to meet these objectives are specified in the silvicultural prescription.
2.06 - References
Each district and forest should maintain a library of important local silvicultural references for reforestation programs. As new literature becomes available, libraries should be updated. Much current and past information is available through the Forest Service library at http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/library/
2.1 - General Reforestation Organizational Structure
The organizational structure of the forest and district determines where the reforestation program functions. It varies widely at each level. Typically, it is part of the Vegetation Management Program and is coordinated closely with the Silviculture Program. It is one of the necessary programs for achieving a wide array of forest objectives regardless of the organizational structure.
Implement reforestation practices according to silviculture prescriptions that are written to meet objectives in Forest Plans. All treatments require prescriptions that have been written or reviewed and signed by a certified silviculturist. (Reference FSH 2409.17 Chapter 8) The Eastern Region has a Silviculturist certification program and has a cadre of trained reforestation personnel. All reforestation personnel shall maintain current training and certification as required for service contract administration. Forests are encouraged to develop and provide training to their reforestation employees.
2.2 - Reforestation Practices
Document all reforestation practices in a silvicultural prescription. The prescription must address desired species, stocking levels, time frames, and other technical aspects. Also address feasibility and cost efficiency of the reforestation treatment. Prescriptions are generally stand specific but may also be written for large scale treatments. FSH 2409.17, Chapter 8 describes silviculture prescriptions. Section 2.3 describes additional reforestation prescription requirements in detail.
1. Reforestation Time Frames.
a. Reforestation Needs Resulting from Timber Harvest. Lands that are suited for timber harvest are identified in the forest plan. In accordance with FSM 2470.3, design regeneration harvests and reforestation practices to assure that lands are satisfactorily restocked within 5 years of regeneration harvest. Examples are: 5 years after clear cut, selection cut, shelterwood or seed tree removal cut. When final removal is not planned, as two-aged cuts with reserves, the 5 year time frame commences upon completion of the last cut, shall be described in the silvicultural prescription, and shall be consistent with land management objectives.
b. Reforestation Needs Resulting from Fire and Other Natural Causes. Conduct a site examination and diagnosis after fire or other disturbances to determine treatments needed to meet long-term objectives of the land based on the forest plan objectives. Developing site-specific reforestation requirements is part of the diagnosis. Where reforestation is required, design treatments to achieve satisfactory stocking promptly. Delays in treatment may result in long regeneration time frames or excessive costs. The silvicultural prescription shall follow guidance in 2409.17 Chapter 8. Planned treatments shall be entered into FACTS (Forest Activity Tracking System) so that annual reforestation needs can be compiled for reporting to Congress.
2. Species and Stocking. Final species selection requires a site visit to review existing and surrounding vegetation, and recognition of the target conditions considering both biological and management requirements. FSM 2470 provides general guidance that stocking levels are to be appropriate to meet management objectives. Stocking levels and species are based on the objectives from the Forest Plan and should be used in conjunction with a site specific analysis. Species and desired stocking levels must be documented in the silvicultural prescription taking into account potential losses from factors such as competition, insects, or herbivory.
Species, stocking and other regeneration considerations are discussed in greater detail in Section 2.3.
3. Reports. Use the FACTS database for planning, scheduling, and reporting activities. Specific regional reforestation reports are described in Section 2.9, Reforestation Surveys and Monitoring. National reports are covered in FSM 2490.
4. Natural Regeneration. Natural regeneration treatments should be utilized when sufficient seed sources or reproductive materials are available to meet management objectives. Natural regeneration offers tremendous cost savings compared to artificial regeneration methods. Natural regeneration is covered in Section 2.33.
5. Artificial Regeneration Seed Sources. The seed cache for Region 9 forests is maintained at J.W. Toumey Nursery, Ottawa N.F. All seed in this inventory is source identified. The seed cache should be managed based on information in the 10-year Seed Needs Plans for each Forest.
Utilize genetic guidelines and seed collection or tree breeding zones for identifying seed sources. Separate collections for the same species may be desirable within zones for site variations such as wet and dry. The Regional Geneticist is responsible for direction on seed collection and use.
Seed collection zones are described in 2409.17 Chapter 4 (Tree seed)
6. Priorities and Funding. Funding and reforestation priority policies are described in FSM 2472. Knutson-Vandenberg (K-V) funds should be used as the primary source of reforestation funding on timber sale areas. Follow K-V policies when scheduling work. (Refer to FSH 2409.19, Renewable Resource Handbook.) Use appropriated and reforestation trust funds for reforestation activities where K-V funds are not available. Allocate funding from the appropriate source to accomplish the highest priority work based on the following reforestation and stand improvement priorities:
- All reforestation needs, whether natural or artificial, resulting from timber harvest which have not been accomplished within 5 years of harvest as required by FSM 2470. (Example: a regeneration harvest which is 5 or more years old which has not been successfully regenerated.)
- All reforestation needs caused by a partial failure of previously completed work where delaying retreatment will cause increased costs or reduced success in meeting desired stand conditions. (Example: an area reforested last year which has marginal stocking and stocking projections indicate further divergence from desired stand conditions.)
- All reforestation needs, whether natural or artificial, resulting from timber harvest which must be accomplished within 5 years of harvest as required by FSM 2470. (Example: a regeneration harvest area cut last year and not yet successfully regenerated.)
- All reforestation needs resulting from natural or human caused events where delaying treatment will increase costs or reduce success in meeting desired stand conditions. (Example: a blow down where inadequate healthy residual trees remain and delaying regeneration will cause the stand to convert to an undesirable species.
- Stand improvement needed to ensure survival of desired species.)
- All other reforestation needs including those on newly acquired land. (Example: reforestation treatments intended to change forest composition to preferred species or type.)
- All other stand improvement activities.
Districts are to maintain accurate schedules to facilitate Washington Office, Regional Office, and Supervisors Office reviews of reforestation programs from both fiscal and program management aspects. Districts can meet these requirements by scheduling reforestation project needs at least two years in advance in the FACTS database. Districts shall review and adjust needs and seeding or planting schedules prior to submitting out-year budget requests and annual sowing requests. Review and update restoration needs, site preparation plans, seeding and planting schedules at least annually.
2.21 – Forest and District Reforestation Planning
Planning the reforestation program at the Forest level needs to be long term, analyzing treatments predicted by the Forest Plan. Long term decisions would include the need for tree improvement or seed orchards in concert with the Regional Geneticist. Seed cache needs must be planned as much as 10 years in advance since seed crops are periodic and must be available to sow stock well in advance of stock needs.
Reforestation planning begins years in advance of the actual planting, site preparation for natural regeneration or seeding date. Regeneration requirements as described in NEPA analysis will dictate size and perhaps timing of reforestation treatments. This data must be used for mid range planning for both out year budgets and stock ordering as appropriate. Seedlings usually need to be ordered 3- 4 years in advance of planned planting date. Forests are to update seed and stock requests for Toumey Nursery in the fall and again in late winter just prior to stratifying seed for spring sowing.
Planning at the stand level often is associated with regeneration harvest prescriptions which must also describe planned regeneration practices. (See R9 2409.17 Chapter 8) Understory species information, seed sources or regeneration techniques may be critical and dictate protection or special practices needed through the harvest process. (Example: Slash must be uniformly scattered if regeneration is to come from seed-bearing slash.) Site preparation often needs to be done the fall preceding the actual site planting or seeding. When reforestation units are ready for treatments, the district should develop a logistical plan for the upcoming season. This plan may be an integral part of the Work Planning System (WPS) and may include site preparation practices that are being done for the following fiscal year.
The annual reforestation plan is a tool to ensure that all logistical aspects of the program have been considered and to ensure that people know what is planned and understand their responsibilities. The Ranger should review and approve the plan to display concurrence and support of the program. Districts with smaller programs may not need this amount of detail, but they should have a well thought-out and well-documented plan covering the key points of their operation.
Key items to include in the reforestation plan for planting are identified below. Additional details may be necessary depending on the size of the district reforestation program:
1. Program Overview. List size of the program and expected start date. Identify special programs associated with planting including Plant-A-Tree, Arbor Foundation funds or other special funds.
2. Personnel. List responsible persons, including contracting officer, silviculturist, project coordinator, Contracting Officer’s Representatives (COR), inspectors, and other logistics persons. Include brief description of responsibilities and expected work schedule.
3. Stock Inventory. List seed lot and assigned units by the following sub items:
Acres
Species
Seed Lot
Estimated Quantity Needed