CFLRP MONITORING

Pike & San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron &

Comanche National Grasslands

2013 FIELD TRIP

September 13, 2013Front Range Round Table

FIELD TRIP AGENDA

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  STOP 1. Messenger Gulch 2: Review a post-treatment ponderosa pine site.

Clumpiness was a component of the prescriptions. STOP 2. Long John Project: Review a post-treatment ponderosa pine & dry

mixed conifer site that included “clumpy” demo areas.

STOP 3. Catamount 1: Review a post-treatment dry mixed conifer & mesic mixed conifer site to look at openings and variable residual density.

STOP 4. Upper Monument Creek Project: Review an untreated ponderosa pine, dry mixed conifer, & mesic mixed conifers sites to discuss openings and wildlife objectives. 

FIELD TRIP AGENDA

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STOP #1 – MESSENGER GULCH 2Post Treatment variable spacing “clumpy” in ponderosa pine.

STOP #1 – MESSENGER GULCH 2

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PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

• 425 total acres (mix of mechanical and hand treatments).

• Treatment in mechanized was designed to achieve “clumpy” residual conditions and serve as a demo treatment area.

• RX: Retain 30-50 square feet of live basal area. Cut, spruce and Douglas-fir first. Within stand density should be highly variable, ranging

from 10 – 80 sq. ft. of basal area.

STOP #2 LONG JOHN

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Leave Tree marking Ponderosa Pine Site

• Target residual Basal Area is 40–60 sq. ft.

• Vary residual basal area within a 20–80 sq. ft. range.

• Favor removal of Douglas-fir and spruce. Retain legacy trees.

• Remove live conifers within aspen clones where feasible. Retain legacy trees.

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RX GUIDELINES

STOP #2 LONG JOHN

RESULTS (Sale Admin Inspection)

• Residual BA for Entire Project = 52 sq. ft.

• Variation at the plot level = 0-110 sq. ft.

STOP #2 LONG JOHNPRE & POST TREATMENT: DRY MIXED CONIFER SITE

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STOP #2 LONG JOHNPRE & POST TREATMENT: ASPEN ENHANCEMENT

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STOP #3 CATAMOUNT 1

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Openings on north aspects.

STOP #3 CATAMOUNT 1PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

351 total acres (mix of mechanical and hand treatments)

IMPLEMENTATION

Establish Groups /Clumps of trees and OpeningsOpening primarily located on north facing aspects ½ to 2 acres in size; centered on/adjacent to:• insect and disease pockets,• aspen pockets;• where five needle and ponderosa pine regeneration will be enhanced.

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STOP #4 – UPPER MONUMENT CREEK RESTORATION INITIATIVE PROJECT

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Major Forest Vegetation of the Project Area:

BIOPHYSICAL SETTING ACRES

Ponderosa Pine/Douglas-fir Woodland 20,472Dry-Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest & Woodland

18,681

Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest & Woodland 15,656Lodgepole Pine Forest 2,361Gambel Oak-Mixed Montane Shrubland 2,142

59,312

STOP #4 – UPPER MONUMENT CREEK PROJECT

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South facing aspect, ponderosa pine site:• Consideration for opening expansion/treatment of conifer

encroachment.

STOP #4 – UPPER MONUMENT CREEK PROJECT

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West facing aspect, dry mixed conifer site:• Consideration for opening expansion/expansion of aspen.