Treesearch

Prior to World War 11, the U. S. Forest Service (Region 6) adopted the policy of appraising ponderosa pine timber with a standardized set of lumber grade recovery data obtained from representative pine mills which are known to use average care in manufacturing and marketing. Such data were derived by combining the results of several mill studies made about 20 to 25 years ago.

In planning thinnings and final harvest cuttings for stands of young-growth Douglas-fir, foresters need reliable information on the capacity of young-growth stands to bear seed, on the periodicity of seed crops, and on the effects of thinning and other forest practices on seed production. One of the first studies designed to help provide this information was begun in 1950.

This report presents the results of a study to determine the degrade (loss in volume and grade) of Douglas-fir lumber when kiln-dried and surfaced in accordance with commercial practice in eastern Washington. The study measured (1) loss in volume due to culling and trimming surfaced dry lumber because of sawing, seasoning, and surfacing defects; (2) reduction in grade due to seasoning and surfacing defects; and (3) reduction in grade due to incomplete manufacture or the development of manufacturing defects. Degrade is expressed as a percentage of the rough green lumber volume and also as a...

Does lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) as old as 55 years respond to thinning? Very little research has been done to answer this question for central Oregon stands because until recently they have been considered largely unmerchantable. Now, however, this species is recognized as a good potential source of pulpwood and small saw logs, and information is needed on growth and yield of thinned as well as unthinned stands. This note presents results from a 22-year record of a thinning experiment on the Pringle Falls Experimental Forest in central Oregon.

Information on the root habits of native forage species is limited and the need for such data is keenly appreciated by most range managers. The lack of such information results mainly from the time and care required to obtain it. Consequently, when 24 antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) root systems were excavated during a study of seasonal carbohydrate reserves, 2 typical root systems were line diagrammed and some of the more obvious rooting characteristics noted as items of general interest.

Losses of newly planted coniferous seedlings from drought during the critical period when new roots are developing is a continuing problem in many parts of the West. One possible solution frequently suggested to forest managers is to coat the seedling tops with a transpiration inhibitor, usually a waxy substance applied in emulsion form. This research note gives the results of a study of one of these transpiration inhibitors—S/V Ceremul C—when used on ponderosa pine in the semiarid climate of central Oregon.

Analyses of time and cost data gathered on the Voight Creek Experimental Forest from six thinnings in a 50-year-old stand of Douglas-fir showed that average skidding distance and diameter of average tree cut were the chief factors affecting the production time in thinning these pulpwood stands. Cut per acre had negligible influence. Contractors' production efficiency over a 3-year period averaged 2.65 man-hours per cord. Delivered-to-plant harvesting costs totaled $16.37 per cord of pulpwood, including allowances for landowner's expense.

Red alder (Alnus rubra), although a widespread tree species in Pacific coast forests, has only in recent years attained commercial importance as a source of wood material for diversified products including furniture, paneling, and paper pulp. With the rapid increase in the harvest of red alder, both public agencies and private industry are making a real effort to develop at least tentative guidelines on how and where to grow red alder as a commercial timber crop.

The many acres of forest land that are occupied by brush in central Oregon represent a large-scale waste of timber-growing capacity and a major economic loss to the area. Although large brushfields devoid of tree growth present the most spectacular examples of loss, less obvious but equally important brush problems are common in established timber stands. Brush frequently overtops and suppresses young seedlings for long periods of time in small natural forest openings and competes with trees of all sizes for soil moisture.

Vigorous natural reproduction of Douglas-fir, sugar pine, and ponderosa pine in southwestern Oregon was sprayed with 1/2-pound aehg solutions of low volatile esters of 2, 4-D and 2,4, 5-T during 1956. When treated, the trees averaged 4 to 8 feet in height. Treatments were applied during the period of active growth in midsummer and repeated in early autumn after height growth had ended and buds were set. The chemicals were applied in three different carriers: (1) water, (2) water plus spreader-sticker, and (3) a 5-percent diesel oil emulsion. Extent of damage from these treatments was...