Decay Management

Question 1

What are the management considerations for Decay?

Answer 1

• Cull factors
• Decay and tree age (target old trees with heaviest decay)
• Decay of dead standing
• Decay and other resources
• Unacceptable damage

Question 2

What are cull factors?

Answer 2

• destructive sampling

- provides a net deduction for damaged trees

Question 3

What are some management considerations for decay of dead standing?

Answer 3

• window of time where tree remains merchantable
• rate 2-4cm per year
• small trees decay faster

Question 4

What are other resources effected by decay?

Answer 4

• Decay promotes habitat for wildlife

- Creates unsafe conditions in parks

Question 5

What is considered unacceptable decay damage during FG survey?

Answer 5

FG trees

• if wound is greater than 1/3 circumference
• if wounds is greater than 20% of stem length
• a scar is OK

Question 6

What is the difference between a wound and a gouge and a scar?

Answer 6

wound: bark layer
gouge: penetrates bark and damages wood
scar: healed over wound or gouge

Question 7

What are some considerations for partial harvest?

Answer 7

• Retention period (short ok or long (10-15 yr) not OK, leaves more time for decay to develop)
• Tree species (susceptibility to decay)
• Severity of damage

Question 8

What are the most susceptible trees to decay?

Answer 8

Broadleaf

Question 9

What trees are the most resistant?

Answer 9

Fd and Px

Question 10

What factors regarding Severity of damage effect partial harvest feasibility?

Answer 10

• damage greater than 400cm2 not OK
• Thresholds for circumference of damage: 50% Fd Px and 33% for the rest.
• Gouges are unacceptable where as wounds are ok within the size limits.

Question 11

What is the best management for decay?

Answer 11

In old growth we use cull factors to make net deductions for decay based on circumstances.

In second growth Avoid scarring trees during operations.