Treesearch

This report presents a general overview of factors relevant to the productive and safe use of helicopters for timber harvesting, with emphasis on candidate helicopters and their characteristics.

Results are reported of a preliminary investigation of feasibility of using wood residue to meet energy and raw material needs in the Pacific Coast States. Magnitude of needs was examined and volume of logging-residue and unused mill residue was estimated. Costs of obtaining and preprocessing logging residue for energy and pulp and particle board raw material were estimated and compared with selling values of mill residue fuel, pulp chips, and particle board. Marginally feasible energy use seemed best suited for inplant steam and power production by the wood industry, Although raw material...

Large-scale use of the timber resource of southeast Alaska began in 1953 after long efforts to establish a timber industry. Development and present status of the industry and present management of the timber resource are summarized, stressing the biological basis for timber management activities in southeast Alaska today. Ecological and silvicultural considerations related to timber harvest, reforestation, and stand development are discussed. Published and unpublished information are brought together. Current management practices are discussed as a basis for a better understanding of how...

The latest inventory of the timber resources of the Inland Empire area of Washington indicates there are 24 billion board feet of sawtimber on 3.9 million acres of commercial forest land. Public agencies administer about 56 percent of the area and 70 percent of the sawtimber volume, farmer and miscellaneous private ownerships account for 37 percent of the area but only 22 percent of the sawtimber volume, and industry 8 percent of the total commercial forest area and 8 percent of the volume. Douglas-fir is the most abundant species, accounting for 30 percent of the sawtimber volume....

One of the most striking characteristics of southeast Alaska is the abundance of water. Large glaciers, icefields, and thousands of streams result from heavy precipitation throughout the year. Published and unpublished data on water regimen, temperature, sedimentation, and chemistry are combined. These serve as a basis for understanding how this valuable resource may be used and protected so that high quality water may always be abundant and available. A brief section on needed research is included.

The disease problems of old growth are largely being taken care of by cutting. This same cutting is rapidly converting large areas of old growth to reproduction and young growth. It is in these areas of young growth that our disease problems will most probably arise. With a few exceptions the reproduction and young-growth stands appear quite healthy at this time with the diseases that are present just doing a bit of natural thinning. These new stands should be closely studied. Damage appearing in young stands may be due to—or may be corrected by—certain silvicultural practices...

Research in southeast Alaska has identified soil mass movement as the dominant erosion process, with debris avalanches and debris flows the most frequent events on characteristically steep, forested slopes. Periodically high soil water levels and steep slopes are controlling factors. Bedrock structure and the rooting characteristics of trees and other vegetation exert a strong influence on relative stability of individual sites. Timber harvesting operations have a major impact on initiation and acceleration of these movements. The cutting of timber itself has been directly linked with...

The effects of logging and associated activities on fish habitat in southeastern Alaska are discussed, and fish habitat research applicable to southeast Alaska is summarized. Requirements of salmonids for suitable spawning and rearing areas are presented. Factors associated with timber harvest which may influence these habitats are discussed in detail; e.g., sediment, stream temperature, streamflow, logging debris, and chemicals. Recommendations for further research are made.

Southeast Alaska's remaining virgin forests have few insect pests. The black-headed budworm and the hemlock sawfly, both western hemlock defoliators, are the most important species. They kill some trees, kill tops in others, and cause growth loss, but stands survive their attacks. Extensive conversion of virgin stands to second growth may result in an increase in pest problems as it has in similar areas such as coastal British Columbia. Widespread use of insecticides to control major outbreaks is not practical because of risk of contaminating salmon-spawning and trout-rearing streams; but...

A description of the discovery and exploration of southeast Alaska sets the scene for a discussion of the physical and biological features of this region. Subjects discussed include geography, climate, vegetation types, geology, minerals, forest products, soils, fish, wildlife, water, recreation, and aesthetic values. This is the first of a series of publications summarizing present knowledge of southeast Alaska's forest resources. Publications will follow which discuss in detail the subjects mentioned above and how this information can be helpful in managing the resources.