FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK

Bedford, Indiana

Effective December 12, 1994

POSTING NOTICE: Supplements to this title are numbered consecutively by calendar year. Check the last transmittal sheet received for this title to see that the above supplement number is in sequence. Do not post this supplement until the missing one(s) is received and posted. After posting, retain this transmittal sheet until the next supplement to this title is received. Place it at the front of the title. This is the first Hoosier Supplement to this title. All previous Wayne-Hoosier Supplements are obsolete.

Page Code Superseded New

(Number of Sheets)

113.1--1 through 114 4

113 4

131.2 1

130 1

152 1

150 1

Reforestation Guidelines 9 5

Digest: Updates Forest Service supplements for entire 2409.26b Handbook. All previous supplements to this title are obsolete.

KENNETH G. DAY

Acting Forest Supervisor

113 - General Reporting Instructions. Results of stocking surveys will be reported 3 times a year on R9 2400-15. Use complete code "2" when another survey is to be done. Complete code "3" is possible when the reproduction process must be started again. Use complete code "1" and the actual regenerated F.S. type when the stand is certified as established. Certification can be made even if release is needed. Instruction for plantation survival methods and report are in FSM 2496.5 and R9 I.D.'s. Results of both plantation and naturally-regenerated stand stocking surveys are to be entered into the TMIS data base no later than the end of the second reporting period that ends July 30.

113.1 - Stocking Survey Schedules. The National Forest Management Act, Section 4 (d) (1) required surveys of all reforested areas after the 1st and 3rd growing seasons. This includes areas regenerated by planting or the accomplishment of site preparation for natural regeneration. Stands are either certified stocked after the third year survey, or not certified and corrective treatments, such as fill in planting, prescribed.

A growing season is considered to be the frost-free season. Growing seasons are calculated from the time a stand is planted or the site preparation for natural regeneration is completed. Partial growing seasons will not be considered in determining stocking schedules.

Stocking surveys are normally done in the spring or early summer to facilitate species identification. The first cut of a two-cut shelterwood is considered to be the regeneration cut, as is every cut under the all-age management system.

The following instructions apply to all Forest types on the Hoosier National Forest.

A. Acceptable Species: All species that are normally considered to be commercial species will be considered acceptable with the following exceptions for stocking survey purposes:

1. Sassafras

2. Elm

B. Acceptable seedlings are defined in FSH 2406.21d.

C. The required number of plots and the technique for taking them is described in 2409.21d, Sec. 220.

D. A stand is satisfactorily stocked if 60% or more of the plots taken contain an acceptable seedling.

E. Plots will be systematically distributed over the entire stand.

F. Results of stocking surveys will be reported bi-annually on R9 2400-15. Use complete code "2" when another survey is to be done. Complete code "3" is possible if a regeneration process must be started again. Use complete code "1" and the actual F.S. type when the stand is certified as established. Certification can be made even if release work is needed.

G. Exhibit #1 illustrates an acceptable format for recording field data.

% Stocked = Total # of Stocked Plots: Total # of Plots

Information gathered for the first and third year stocking surveys may be used for the Plantation Survival Report. The information must accurately evaluate the survival of the plantation.

I. When stand has not been replanted:

a. Determine the number of seedlings per acre that were planted from planting records on the prescription.

b. Take plots per instructions in FSH 2409.26b, Page 4, 1/700 acre is a good average plot size for most of our planting.

c. Determine the percent of stocked plots by dividing the number of stocked plots by the total number of plots taken.

d. Since each tree on a 1/700 acre plot represents 700 trees per acre, the percent of stocked plots x 700 will give the number of live trees per acre.

e. The number of live trees per acre divided by the planted number of seedlings per acre will give the percent survival of planted trees.

Example:

1. Trees are planted with 8' x 8' spacing (681 trees/acre)

2. 25 1/700 acre plots taken

3. 20 of these plots were stocked

4. 20 stocked plots/25 plots taken = 80% of the plots are stocked

5. 80% x 700 trees per acre = 560 trees per acre alive

6. 560 live trees per acre/681 trees planted = 82% survival

II. When fill-in planting has been done:

Staked plots will be installed in all fill-in planted stands per instructions in parent text.

130 - Planting Techniques

150 - Site Preparation Techniques for Natural Regeneration

152 - Techniques. Refer to Forest Plan for general vine control direction. Vines must be controlled on better (Black Oak S1 70+) sites if adequate acceptable regeneration is to be established after regeneration cuts.

The following guidelines are to be considered in selecting and designing planting areas. The relative importance of each of these values should be carefully evaluated before E.A. preparation.

Watershed

Water Quality

Forest planting in this area has a minimal effect on water quality. Some very subtle effects occur, but these effects are probably more dependent on the presence of trees themselves, rather than what species is planted. Retain a closed canopy over intermittent and larger streams that have streamflow eight or more months of the year. This will well keep the water temperature lower and will benefit the fisheries resource.

Recent studies have shown that the presence of a young, vigorously growing stand of trees will probably reduce nutrient outflow from the system, as opposed to there being no tree cover. This change in nutrient status, however, is more dependent on the presence of the trees themselves, rather than the species present.

Soils

The Soil Scientist should be given the opportunity to make an on-site evaluation of each area under consideration for artificial regeneration. This investigations should be accomplished prior to E.A. preparation. If an on-site visit is not possible, a 4" = 1 mile map of the candidate area, and species to be planted, should be submitted to the Soil Scientist prior to E.A. preparation. Sites proposed for hardwood planting require an on-site investigation by the Soil Scientist. See Planting Hardwoods. Districts in Indiana should consult Dan Larsen's "Specie Selection Guide for Reforestation on the Hoosier National Forest" for species-site guides.

Visual Management

Planting Areas Near Public Roads

Random plant trees, whether hardwood or conifer, in a minimum width strip of 700 feet adjacent to the roads to minimize the planted-row effect.

General

Because much recently purchased land is geometric in shape, planting these areas solidly to trees, will perpetuate this shape. Positioning wildlife openings near boundaries will aid in reducing geometric shapes.

See FSH 2409.24 R-9 Timber Sale Preparation Handbook for additional guidance.

Hardwood Plantations

Hardwoods are much more site demanding than are the pines. The usual old field soils are deficient in nutrients and organic material, and often have herbaceous cover that is detrimental to hardwood seedling survival. The following guidelines were developed from recommendations made by Soil Scientists, Foresters and Research personnel after an on-Forest field trip.

-All sites proposed for hardwood planting are to be visited by a Soil Scientist, since soil depth, presence or absence of a fragipan, and seasonal water levels are critical to the success of hardwood plantations.

-Interplant nitrogen-fixing species such as black locust, partridge pea, bush clover, tick treefoil, indigos, or one of the alders with hardwoods.

-On sites where hardwood plantation success is doubtful, consider planting black locust alone with the idea of planting desired crop trees when locust is cut for posts or destroyed by the locust borer.

Weed control (chemical or mechanized) should be done when survival of planted trees is threatened by herbaceous vegetation. Stocking surveys after the 3rd growing season should evaluate the need for weed control, particularly in hardwood plantations. Control is indicated when planted stock is badly overtopped, smothered or bent over by grass and weeds.

Care and Handling of Planting Stock

Planting stock must not be allowed to dry out or become overheated at any time.

-Be certain bundles are moist and covered with a canvas or in an enclosed truck before transporting them from the nursery to the work center or planting site.

-Store them in a cool (33o-38o is ideal) location away from direct sunlight.

-Keep stock moist, but not soaking wet.

-Keep stock covered in a shady spot at the planting site.

Root pruning and culling stock.

-Pine and hardwood roots may be pruned to not less than 6-8" prior to planting.

-Seedlings having poor form, color or root growth should be culled.

Tree roots must be kept moist in the planting bag or bucket. Individual trees should be removed from the bag or bucket only after the hole is ready for the tree.References

-R-9 FSH 2409.26b Reforestation Handbook.

-R-9 FSH 2473.1 Nursery Handbook.

-R-9 FSH 2409.24 Timber Sale Preparation Handbook .