Section II A – Soils InformationMarch, 2003
Part 7 – Soil Interpretations
Subpart b - ForestLand
Introduction - ForestLand Interpretations
------
ForestLand
The Forest Productivity report and Forest Land Management Reports are part of a Counties data set where forest lands are being managed. These reports contain information on a variety of hazards and limitations for uses such as forest roads, site preparation, erosion hazards, trees to plant and site index.
To Print out Forest Land Management Reports and/or Forest Productivity report for any given county, in the e-FOTG, go to section IIA, Soils Information, Part 1. County Reports-Database and download the county of interest. Once downloaded, the MDB file can be used in MS-Access to print a Forest Land Management Report as well as any of the other variety of soil reports in the access template.
ForestLand Management Considerations
Forest Land Harvest Equipment Considerations
This report provides information regarding the use of harvest equipment in areas used as forest land.
For most soils spring is the most limiting season because of alternate thawing and freezing during snowmelt, causing saturation and low strength of the surface soil layers. When thawing is complete, saturation continues for short periods in well drained soils to nearly all year in very poorly drained depressional soils. Degrees of wetness are generally proportionate to depth and duration to a zone in which the soil moisture status is wet. Zones of wet soil moisture status generally are lower in the summer during the heavy use of moisture by vegetation and are nearer to the surface during periods when absorbed precipitation is greater than the vegetative requirements. Harvesting activities during periods of saturation usually results in severe soil damage except when the soil is frozen. The preferred season for timber harvest on many soils is winter, when wetness and low soil strength can be overcome by freezing.
Considerations shown in the table are as follows:
Slope.--The upper slope limit is more than 15 percent.
Flooding.--The map unit component is frequently flooded.
Wetness.--The map unit component is somewhat poorly drained, poorly drained, or very poorly drained or has a perched zone in which the soil moisture status is wet (any drainage class).
Depth to hard rock.--The depth to hard bedrock is less than 10 inches.
Rubbly surface.--The word "rubbly" is in the map unit name.
Surface stones.--The words "extremely stony" are included in the description of the surface layer or there are 3 percent or more stones on the soil surface.
Surface boulders.--The word "bouldery" is included in the description of the surface layer or there are 0.01 percent or more boulders on the soil surface.
Areas of rock outcrop.--The words "Rock outcrop" are in the map unit name.
Susceptible to rutting and wheel slippage (low strength).--The AASHTO classification is A-6, A-7, or A-8 in any layer at a depth of 20 inches or less.
Poor traction (loose sandy material).--The USDA texture includes sands or loamy sands in any layer at a depth of 10 inches or less.
Forest Haul Road Considerations
This report provides information regarding the use of the soils as haul roads. Haul roads serve as transportation routes from log landings to primary roads. Generally, haul roads are unpaved, but some are graveled.
Considerations shown in the table are as follows:
Slope.--The slope is 8 percent or more.
Flooding.--The map unit component is frequently flooded.
Wetness.--The map unit component is somewhat poorly drained, poorly drained, or very poorly drained or has a perched zone in which the soil moisture status is wet (any drainage class).
Depth to hard rock.--The depth to hard bedrock is less than 20 inches.
Depth to soft rock.--The depth to soft bedrock is less than 20 inches.
Surface boulders.-- The word "bouldery" is included in the description of the surface layer or there are 0.01 percent or more boulders on the soil surface.
Areas of rock outcrop.--The words "Rock outcrop" are in the map unit name.
Low bearing strength.--The AASHTO classification is A-6, A-7, or A-8 in any layer at a depth of 20 inches or less.
Rubbly surface.--The word "rubbly" is in the map unit name.
Forest Log Landing Considerations
This report provides information regarding the use of the soils as log landings. Log landings are areas where logs are assembled for transportation. Areas that require little or no cutting, filling, or surface preparation are desired.
Considerations shown in the table are as follows:
Slope.--The slope is more than 6 percent.
Flooding.--The map unit component is occasionally flooded or frequently flooded.
Wetness.--The map unit component is somewhat poorly drained, poorly drained, or very poorly drained or has a perched zone in which the soil moisture status is wet (any drainage class).
Surface boulders.-- The word "bouldery" is included in the description of the surface layer or there are 0.01 percent or more boulders on the soil surface.
Areas of rock outcrop.--The words "Rock outcrop" are in the map unit name.
Susceptible to rutting and wheel slippage (low strength).--The AASHTO classification is A-6, A-7, or A-8 in any layer at a depth of 20 inches or less.
Rubbly surface.--The word "rubbly" is in the map unit name.
ForestLand Site Preparation and Planting Considerations
This report provides information regarding considerations affecting site preparation and planting in areas used as forest land.
Considerations shown in the table are as follows:
Slope.--The upper slope limit is more than 15 percent.
Flooding.--The map unit component is frequently flooded.
Wetness.--The map unit component is somewhat poorly drained, poorly drained, or very poorly drained or has a perched zone in which the soil moisture status is wet (any drainage class).
Depth to hard rock.--The depth to hard bedrock is less than 20 inches.
Surface stones.-- The word "stony" is included in the description of the surface layer or there are 0.01 percent or more stones on the soil surface.
Surface boulders.-- The word "bouldery" is included in the description of the surface layer or there are 0.01 percent or more boulders on the soil surface.
Areas of rock outcrop.--The words "Rock outcrop" are in the map unit name.
Water erosion.--The slope is 8 percent or more.
Potential poor tilth and compaction.--The AASHTO classification is A-6 or A-7 in the upper 10 inches.
Rubbly surface.--The word "rubbly" is in the map unit name.
Cobbly surface.-- The word "cobbly" is included in the description of the surface layer or there are 0.1 percent or more cobbles on the soil surface.
Forest Productivity
Information about the potential productivity of map unit components for merchantable or common trees is provided in this report.
The potential productivity of a component is expressed as a site index and as a volume number.
The site index is the average height, in feet, that dominant and codominant trees of a given species attain in a specified number of years. The site index applies to fully stocked, even-aged, unmanaged stands. Commonly grown trees are those that woodland managers generally favor in intermediate or improvement cuttings. They are selected on the basis of growth rate, quality, value, and marketability.
The volume of wood fiber, a number, is the yield likely to be produced by the most important trees. This number, expressed as cubic feet per acre per year, indicates the amount of wood fiber produced in a fully stocked, even-aged stand.
Trees to manage are those that are suitable for commercial wood production.