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Abstract
A detailed study of canopy fuel characteristics in five different forest types provided a unique dataset for simulating the effects of various stand manipulation treatments on canopy fuels. Low thinning, low thinning with commercial dbh limit, and crown thinning had similar effects on canopy bulk density (
CBD) and canopy fuel load (
CFL), but only the strict low thinning significantly affected canopy base height (
CBH). In four of five sampled stands,
CBD and
CFL responded linearly to increasing treatment intensity in those three thinning treatments. The ponderosa-pine/Douglas-fir stand, with its significant understory component, showed little change in
CBD with the commercial limit and crown thinning treatments. The diameter-limit harvest exhibited little consistency among sites and, hence, it is not a good silvicultural tool for creating canopy fuel reduction prescriptions. Due to fire-induced mortality, crown scorch (from prescribed fire) was more effective than mechanical pruning (to an equivalent height) at modifying canopy fuel characteristics. At achievable scorch and pruning heights, neither treatment had a significant effect on
CBD or
CFL.
Parent Publication
Citation
Scott, Joe H.; Reinhardt, Elizabeth D. 2007. Effects of alternative treatments on canopy fuel characteristics in five conifer stands. In: Powers, Robert F., tech. editor. Restoring fire-adapted ecosystems: proceedings of the 2005 national silviculture workshop. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-203, Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture: p. 193-209
