47.240113, -92.13053
Overview
Natural origin, poor quality aspen-birch stand clearcut harvested 2009 with intent to establish white and red pine regeneration via aerial seed after a prescribed burn. Burn was not intense enough to create good soil conditions for seeding, so decision was made to plant instead. White pine was planted into areas with more competition, red pine into more open areas with less competition. Site has been budcapped annually 2012-2015 and hand-released in fall 2014. Regeneration is well stocked.
Figure 1: Satellite image (c) Google 2015
Figure 2: Panoramic view of mosaic burn site on Jim Readdy Rd showing some intact aspen regen
Silviculture Objective(s)
Given the historic very high incidence of white rot in aspen in this area, the decision was made to convert the natural origin poor quality aspen-birch stand to native pines. Intent was to use aerial seeding to establish pine regeneration, but as site prep was not adequate to support that, the site was planted instead.
Pre-treatment stand description and condition
Stand establishment and management history:
Site was clearcut harvested (conventional equipment) in 2009.
Pre-treatment species composition:
No established advance regeneration on site.
Silviculture Prescription
The prescription initially was to conduct a prescribed burn, then use aerial seeding to establish red and white pine. However, burn conditions were a mosaic, leaving inadequate control of competing vegetation in some areas. Thus the prescription was revised to include planting, with white pine planted into areas less intensely burned (and thus with more competing vegetation) and red pine planted into areas with more complete vegetation control.
Figure 3: Mosaic burn site on Jim Readdy Rd
What actually happened during the treatment
in 2011, two years post-harvest, the site was planted with 605 white pine and 605 red pine per acre. The site was treated with Plantskydd in fall 2011 and budcapped annually in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Site was hand-released in fall 2014 using a brushsaw to remove competing (mostly aspen) stems within 6 feet of planted seedlings. Aspen not within 6 feet of a planted seedling was left intact with the intent to create a mixed stand.
Figure 4: Mosaic burn site on Jim Readdy Rd showing relatively heavy competition, an area in which white pine was planted
Figure 5: Showing an area of heavy competition planted to white pine (left) and lighter competition planted to red pine (right)
Figure 6: Recently released planted seedlings