2012 Sawtelle Weeding in WBP Stand and Removal of Subalpine Fir Regeneration

Project:  Sawtelle Weeding in WBP Stand – Removal of Subalpine Fir Regeneration

Agency/Forest or Park/District: Sawtelle Area, Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, USDA Forest Service, 3726 Hwy 20, Island Park, ID 83429

Project coordinator:  Cathey Hardin (retired),  Avery Beyer

Contact:  Cathey Hardin (retired).  Avery Beyer, abeyer@fs.fed.us, (208) 354-6624

Cooperators

Master Naturalist of Idaho to assist with Stocking Exams

Source of funding /amount

FHP: $3,000

Supplemental funding: $1,550 from FS

Dates of restoration efforts

Summer of 2012 and 2013.

Objectives

Cut seedling/sapling sized subalpine fir within Whitebark pine stand removing competition, continuing to improve survival of mature, saplings, seedlings and new germinates.

In 2001, an analysis was completed and work began to cut subalpine trees less than 8 inches in diameter. Those subalpine trees over 8 inches were girdled.  After 10 years there has been an increase of subalpine seedlings within the stand.  Fortunately, since the stand was opened up there is also an increase in WBP seedlings.  To maintain this stand, cut the encroaching seedling/sapling sized subalpine fir.   A crew used hand pruners to cut out the competing subalpine fir.  Slash will be lopped and scattered. It will be much easier to remove the young subalpine fir before they become larger, less slash on the ground and treatment should hold for at least another 10 years.

Acres/ha treated

35 acres

Methods

The area for treatment is approximately 35 acres in size in two different stands. To maintain this stand we would cut encroaching seedling/sapling subalpine fir. A crew will use chainsaws or hand pruners to cut out the competing subalpine fir. Slash will be lopped and scattered. It will be much easier to remove the young subalpine fir before they become larger, less slash on the ground and treatment should hold for at least another 10 years.

Planting? If so, source of seedlings? Resistance?  No

Outcome

We discovered approximately 900 seedlings to the acres under 6 inches, future monitoring will be needed. Reentry will be needed to remove the continual encroachment of subalpine fir.

Monitoring since completion of the project

            Dates

            Plans for future monitoring?

No formal monitoring planned.

Will outcome meet goals?

Competition from other species was mitigated; existing whitebark pine regeneration will have greater access to resources.

Future actions/follow up?

A portion of the project area is being used for direct seeding trials. Site visits with regards to that study will be used to monitor project success.

Miscellaneous comments

Hand lopping took much longer than anticipated. We discovered chainsaws could not be used because of the risk of damage to WBP seedlings/saplings adjacent to the subalpine fir.