A method of evaluating crown fuels in forest stands.

Rodney W. Sando; Charles H. Wick

Treesearch

A method of evaluating crown fuels in forest stands.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Rodney W. Sando, Charles H. Wick

Year:

1972

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Research Paper NC-84. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station

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Download (PDF 8.36 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/10605.pdf

Abstract

A method of describing the crown fuels in a forest fuel complex based on crown weight and crown volume was developed. A computer program is an integral part of the method. Crown weight data are presented in graphical form and are separated into hardwood and coniferous fuels. The fuel complex is described using total crown weight per acre, mean height to the base of the crown, and the ratio of total fuel bed volume to crown volume. Five fuel types found in the Lake State region were described using this method. A commercial thinning in a red pine plantation was simulated and the method was used to describe the changes in the fuel complex.

Keywords

forest fuels, tree crown weight, fuel complex, fuel bed porosity, fire behavior

Citation

Sando, Rodney W.; Wick, Charles H. 1972. A method of evaluating crown fuels in forest stands. Research Paper NC-84. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station