Managing Coarse Woody Debris and Wildlife Debris Piles 2015

Why is Coarse Woody Debris so Important? CWD has an impact on forest productivity in terms of soil-function and tree growth, and ecosystem productivity in terms of habitat.

How does Canfor Manage for CWD? Canfor Best Management Practices for CWD: Retain clumps of viable non-pine natural regeneration; retain existing CWD in wildlife tree patches and reserve areas; and leave stub trees to varying degrees. Retain, where feasible, large CWD (>10 m) or recruitment stems. Leave non-merchantable stems & under-utilization stems on block. Retain standing deciduous trees where operationally feasible, otherwise left where felled (same for Douglas-fir, especially vets).

Operators Guide to Coarse Woody Debris Retention Maintain clumps of CWD and other structural elements existing deadfall a group of snags (stubbed, with tops left in clump) existing clump of immature trees alder patch (or other tall shrubs) existing deciduous or cull trees a ridge crest or area where the skidder doesn’t go

Operators Guide to Coarse Woody Debris Retention Keep the larger, longer logs intact and on the block don’t skid unwanted logs identify unmerchantable stems at the stump and leave on site place unwanted snags in direction of skid to one side of skid route in or adjacent to clump applies particularly to snags with branches and bark

Large Intact CWD .

Operators Guide to Coarse Woody Debris Retention Think Jackstraw!! Imitate natural distribution try not to disturb natural accumulations of downed logs if a tree or snag is felled and left, put it down across other logs (off the ground if possible). avoid bunching groups of logs if they are not going to be skidded to the landing Piles and windrows can be used for habitat structure and connectivity.

Operators Guide to Coarse Woody Debris Retention Maintain immature, deciduous and large cull trees for habitat and for future CW For immature trees, look for pole size or larger preferred large, healthy crowns in clumps where possible Large green trees could be aspen or cottonwood declining or cull trees of little commercial value Mature Douglas Fir Do not leave standing trees if they pose a safety hazard!!!

Retention of Aspen

Retention of Mature Douglas Fir

Operators Guide to Coarse Woody Debris Retention Stub snags around the outside of a clump Place unwanted snags (or stub tops) in or around the clump Even a single stub could be a marker for two or three logs at its base! Objective for CWD in Block BEA395 Site Plan: All full measure cruise plots (odd numbered) will have a minimum of 4 trees stubbed during harvesting as to provide vertical structure to the opening, perching opportunities, and to serve as future coarse woody debris recruitment.

Stubbing of Cruise Plots

Why are Wildlife Piles so Important? Course woody debris (CWD) on the ground is an important component of wildlife habitat. CWD provides hiding cover and denning sites for small mammals. Piles are used for foraging sites as well as intermittent hiding cover while travelling across a cut block.

Benefits of Wildlife Debris Piles Resting and den sites are associated with large snags, live trees, squirrel middens, downed hollow logs, underground (especially in winter), and in piles and windrows of woody debris. Suitable corridors, such as riparian areas, connecting to mature forest are required to reduce fragmentation on large areas. Clearcuts with CWD sticking above snow level in piles and windrows encourages marten and fisher activity by allowing access below snow cover. Piles used by marten are usually in conjunction with riparian areas or on routes less than 135 m across clearcuts. Piles and windrows provide a prey base of small mammals, particularly red-backed voles, and allows access to this food source.

What to do? When and Where? Locate piles: Outside Riparian areas, Less than <50m from the block boundary, reserve patches and designated leave trees, where reasonable. On Right of Ways as far away from the timbered edge as possible and far off the road as possible. Loosely layer piles (crisscross) in order to create a complex of snow-free spaces and runways; approximately 2m high, 3-5m wide, and 5-10m long. Some longer CWD pieces should radiate out from the pile at an approximately 45 degree angle from the top of the pile and leading out from the pile to the forest (to provide cover in the winter and linear travel routes in the summer). At least one windrow or a series of piles should connect patches of mature forest and riparian areas to allow red-backed voles, marten, and other species to access and traverse clearcut openings.

Wildlife Debris Pile

Travel Corridors Retaining wildlife debris piles near travel corridors, such as the strip of trees behind the pile in this photograph, increases the likelihood of use by fishers.

Conclusion Practicing forestry and good stewardship of the timber harvesting land base includes managing for all resources, in the present and for the future.