FOREST RESOURCE
The 95 forested acres are quite diverse, partly because of the history of management and partly because of the variation in physical site characteristics. The forest rises up the west-facing slope of a north-south running ridge that provides greatly differing conditions for forest establishment and growth. The terrain is favorable for forest management, though a few short slopes exceed 50 percent grade. A good road and skid trail system accesses all forest stands.
A timber cruise conducted in December, 1998 found a gross timber volume of 539,000 board feet. A summary is found in the appendix. Douglas-fir accounted for 54% of total volume, with Oregon white oak (39%) and bigleaf maple (7%).
Trees are healthy and timber quality is generally good, although the young age of the fir shows in the preponderance of small sawlog grades (88% of fir sawlogs are 3 & 4 mill, or under 12 inches on the scaling end). Growth is highest on the Douglas-fir, which is increasing at an annual rate of 12.0 percent, or 35,000 board feet per year. Oak is growing at an annual rate of 3.5 percent
The timber cruise measured a large number pre-merchantable Douglas-fir trees (trees under eight inches diameter at 4.5 feet high). Timber Types 1, 2 & 4 had an average of 100 per acre. As these trees reach minimum merchantable size, they will boost growth rates beyond the 12 percent measured on larger trees (termed "ingrowth").
For management purposes, the woodland was divided into five stands (Types) based on tree species composition, age and location:
Type 1 Young Douglas-fir (D3 =1965, wo - 35 acres) -- This is a young stand of Douglas-fir that has been released from oak competition by firewood cutting in the 1980's, and more recently, commercially thinned in the 1990's. Stand structure varies from thinned, dense clumps of uniform fir, to "gappy - clumpy" areas where more oak has been removed or patches have been cut and replanted. Topography is gentle on the lower slope but rises to the east, where steeper areas can exceed 50 percent grade.
The average stand diameter is 12 inches, with 95 sq. ft. of basal area and 107 merchantable trees per acre. All these numbers are rising rapidly through high growth rates of measured trees and "ingrowth" of pre-merchantable trees. Current volumes average 5,200 board feet per acre, or 185,000 board feet total.
This type also contains scatter fir and oak that are 75 years or older. A few dense pockets of fir would benefit from thinning now. Otherwise thinning could be delayed 2-4 years and trees still retain good crown size and vigor. Future thinning will be required to assure continued growth of pre-merchantable trees.
Type 2 Oak with D. fir understory (WO = 1850,df -- 34 acres) -- A variable stand of Oregon white oak with young Douglas-fir in the understory. Understory trees are vigorous and have released well from competition where larger oak and fir have been thinned. The fir is between 20 and 30 years old. In the main stand, most thinning has been on the south side of the main haul road (see base map). The stand north of the haul road and near the properties' north and east lines has seen less harvest and is considered a de-facto "reserve" by the owners -- some harvest may take place, but the mixed character of the woods is to be preserved and harvest impact minimized.
Average diameter of the oaks is 12 inches, with fir averaging 10 inches. Basal area totals 73 square feet with 97 trees per acre. More importantly, there are more than 110 per merchantable fir per acre in the stand, illustrating the rapid succession taking places in many areas.
Type 3 Douglas-fir/bigleaf maple mix (D3 = 1955,blm -- 14 acres) -- This is a mix of Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple, with some oak. A few of the fir and maple are up to 75 years old. The upper slopes rise steeply in several draws that drain into a pond. This is some of the steepest terrain on the property (exceeding 50% at the top). Type 3 is perhaps the most varied stand, with the highest component of bigleaf maple. Little harvesting has been done here, primarily because of steepness and possible slope instability at the upper end.
Average stand diameter is 14 inches, with 95 sq. ft. of basal area and 90 merchantable trees per acre. Current volumes average 7,800 board feet per acre, or 110,000 board feet total.
This is a more mature, stable stand with few pre-merchantable trees per acre. Understory vegetation in the moist draws is dominated by sword fern and vine maple. The resource use here is primarily as a watershed for the pond system below.
Type 4 Planted Douglas-fir overtopping oak (D2= 1965,wo - 7 acres) -- Many of the fir emerging from the oaks in this stand were planted in the mid 1960's, and released by firewood removal in the 1980's. Trees are vigorous and recovering well from the oak competition. Pre-commercial thinning of the fir has also increased vigor of remaining trees. The topography is gentle here. Some of the stand shows evidence of poor soil drainage and moisture stress in the fir.
Average stand diameter is 11 inches, with 76 sq. ft. of basal area and 120 merchantable trees per acre. Dynamic change is evident in the following cruise measurements: Almost 20 percent annual growth on the young Douglas-fir, with 100 pre-merchantable fir per acre. Growth rates will remain strong for the next five years, but will decline later unless commercial thinning takes place.
Type 5 Large Oregon white oak with some fir (WO = 1850,df - 5 acres) -- This is a unique stand of larger oak on the upper the ridge, along the east line of the property. The oak is of good quality and vigorous, having been thinned in the recent past.
Average diameter of the oak is 16 inches, with many of good sawlog quality. There are 119 merchantable trees per acre, with some scattered Douglas-fir regeneration (little oak regeneration). This has been treated by the owners as a reserve, wildlife stand, valued for its age, quality and the diversity it lends to the forest. Harvest activity will be limited to selective removal of oak and fir to promote the health of the older, larger oaks.
In summary, the current forest is well-managed and productive, with a diversity of stand conditions. Trees are of good quality, vigorous and the Douglas-fir component is growing rapidly. Logging since 1982 has been primarily low-impact thinnings and firewood removal, with some group selection. This past management has been a good step along the path toward building a sustainable forest while retaining tree species diversity and aesthetic quality. More information is presented in the cruise summary in the Appendix and the property Findings.
A timber cruise conducted in December, 1998 found a gross timber volume of 539,000 board feet. A summary is found in the appendix. Douglas-fir accounted for 54% of total volume, with Oregon white oak (39%) and bigleaf maple (7%).
Trees are healthy and timber quality is generally good, although the young age of the fir shows in the preponderance of small sawlog grades (88% of fir sawlogs are 3 & 4 mill, or under 12 inches on the scaling end). Growth is highest on the Douglas-fir, which is increasing at an annual rate of 12.0 percent, or 35,000 board feet per year. Oak is growing at an annual rate of 3.5 percent
The timber cruise measured a large number pre-merchantable Douglas-fir trees (trees under eight inches diameter at 4.5 feet high). Timber Types 1, 2 & 4 had an average of 100 per acre. As these trees reach minimum merchantable size, they will boost growth rates beyond the 12 percent measured on larger trees (termed "ingrowth").