2.  Discuss silvicultural principles related to restoration/fuels treatments  Compare conditions from the 1900 Cheesman Lake reconstruction to current project work. ◦ Comments apply to the Stand/Treatment level for 1 treatment entry. ◦ Recommended metrics apply to PSI treatments. 2

3.  Regeneration (Reproduction) Method: A cutting method by which a new age class is created.  Stand Improvement: A term comprising all intermediate cuttings made to improve the composition, structure, condition, health, and growth of even- or uneven-aged stands. 3

4.  Stand Density Index (SDI): A relative measure of stand density that provides a relationship between stand basal area, trees per unit area, average stand diameter, and stocking of a forested stand (Reineke 1933).  The index is not influenced by age or site quality. 4

5. Source: Oliver and Larson, 1990 5 25% RD35% RD60% RD

6. Gringrich stocking curves for ponderosa pine in the Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Region (R2) (Forest Service Manual, R2 Supplement 2409.17-92-2 1992) 6

7. Results: ◦ Good seed crops produced every 4-6 years. ◦ Predation by animals resulted in on 14% of total seedfall available for germination. ◦ Shelterwood Overstories between 25-60 BA over scarified seedbeds provided optimal conditions for natural seedling establishment. Shepperd et al. 2006 Long term study of ponderosa pine seedfall, natural regeneration, and seedling growth, 1981-2001, Manitou Experimental Forest 7

8. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-97. 2002 Black Hills Rocky Mts & Southwest 8

9.  Density, structure, and species composition is highly variable by aspect.  Reconstructed stocking levels may be low due to: ◦ Many of these plots burned severely in 1851. ◦ Mortality of pre 1900 trees was not factored in. 9

10.  Riparian plot, 77 trees/ac, 57 BA 10

11.  South plot, 65 trees/ac, 1 BA 11

12.  Ridgetop plot, 32 trees/ac, 19 BA 12

13.  West plot, 20 trees/ac, 5 BA 13

14.  North plot, 166 trees/ac, 36 BA 14

15.  Average Residual Basal Area = 60 sq. ft. COVER TYPERESIDUAL BA% PROJECT AREA Aspen205 Ponderosa Pine5040-50 Mixed Conifer7030-40 Douglas-fir9010-15 SpruceNo Treatment<1% 15

16. 16

17.  Ponderosa pine stand, 46 trees/ac, 50 BA 17

18.  Mixed conifer stand, 73 trees/ac, 70 BA 18

19. METRICLOWHIGH TPA (> 1.0 " dbh)3080 BA (sq. ft.)4060 % PP - Overstory (BA)90100 % DF - Overstory (BA)010 CC (%)1525 CBD (kg/m¯³)0.0150.035 CBH (feet)2535 Age ClassesExisting Understory Species %: TPA-seedlingsExisting Understory Species %: Shrubs, Forbs, GrassesExisting Noxious Weeds/ExoticsPresence of 19 Ponderosa Pine Stands

20. 20 Mixed Conifer: Ponderosa Pine/Douglas-fir METRICLOWHIGH TPA (> 1.0 " dbh) 50160 BA (sq. ft.) 6080 % PP - Overstory (BA) 65100 % DF - Overstory (BA) 035 CC (%) 1525 CBD (kg/m¯³) 0.0350.05 CBH (feet) 1530 Age ClassesExisting Understory Species %: TPA-seedlingsExisting Understory Species %: Shrubs, Forbs, GrassesExisting Noxious Weeds/ExoticsPresence of

21. 21 Projected BA Distribution

22. 22 Projected CBH = 20-36

23. 23 Projected CBD = 0.019-0.046

24.  Treatments will result in a high level of variability for residual stand conditions within treatment areas. (density, structure, species composition, size classes)  Natural regeneration will occur at lower stand densities  Restoration ecology research should identify the target trend and range but may not be appropriate to assess precise post treatment conditions.  Target ranges must be wide enough to capture variation of major cover types in treatment areas: ◦ For example: 40-80 sq. ft. of BA. 24