Silvicultural Mechanical Site Preparation by William Wardlaw Moore A TECHNICAL REPORT submitted to Department of Forest Enginee ring School of Forestry Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Forestry Completed May 5, 1976 Commencement June 1976
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Silvicultural Mechanical Site Preparation
by
William Wardlaw Moore
A TECHNICAL REPORT
submitted to
Department of Forest Enginee ring
School of Forestry
Oregon State University
in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the
degree of
Master of Forestry
Completed May 5, 1976
Commencement June 1976
APPROVED:
rofessor of Forest Engineeringa7in charge of major
tment of F4'st Engineering
Date technical report was presented May 5, 1976
Typed by Ilene Anderton for William Wardlaw Moore
AN ABSTRACT OF THE TECHNICAL REPORT OF
William Wardlaw Moore for the degree of Master of Forestry
in Forest Engineering presented on May 5, 1976
Title: SILVICULTURAL MECHANICAL SITE PREPARATION
Abstract approved:JohnE. O'Leary
The preparation of suitable sites for planting and growing of
tree seedlings following logging is recognized by British Columbia
Forest Service as a major silvicultural problem in the Central and
Northern Interior regions of the province. Over the past few
decades, scarification trials have been made with various types of
drag and blade scarifiers. Substantial areas, particularly on the dry
lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta latifolia) sites have also received
mechanical scarification on an operational scale.
The wet white spruce--alpine fir (Picea glauca ssp. glauca--
Abies lasiocarpa) sites, which often have a deep layer of undecom-
posed organic material on the forest floor, have traditionally been
winter logged. The resulting accumulation of undisturbed duff, and
logging slash, has normally been either windrow or broadcast burned.
Some recent escape fires, e. g. the Eden Fire in the Kamloops
Forest District in September 1973, caused considerable personal
property damage, and have heightened interest in mechanical scarifi-
cation as an alternative to prescribed burning.
The author had occasion during the summer of 1974 to be
employed by British Columbia Forest Service on a research project
in the Prince George area entitled, Silvicultural Mechanical Site
Preparation (S. M.S. P.). The purpose of this study was to measure
and evaluate the performance of selected mechanical scarifiers, in
producing an economically, and silviculturally acceptable level of
planting site preparation.
This report examines the findings of the S.M.S. P. project,
and where appropriate, compares them with earlier Canadian forest
scarification studies. Recommendations for the use of specific
mechanical site preparation equipment are viewed both singly, and
in combination with other forest management practices.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to acknowledge the help of many people during the
field work, research, and preparation of this report.
To Ed Nelitz of British Columbia Forest Service, and Bob
McMinn of Environment Canada, with whom I had the pleasure of
"bushwhacking" and exchanging ideas, a very special thank you.
My thanks are also extended to Ken Apt, Peter Castley, Robin
Brown and others of B. C. Forest Service, who supplied data and
information.
For the guidance and assistance provided by faculty at Oregon
State University, particularly Hank Froehlich, Ed Aulerich, Mike
Newton, Chet Youngberg and my advisor John O'Leary, my sincere
appreciation.
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
Winter cut-over on Naver Creek Road. 3
Teapot Lake cut-over in Big Valley Forest. 3
Drag scarifier used on Lodgepole pine flats. 7
Slashburn htescap&T at Mile 19 on the BowronRiver Forest Road. 7
Competitive vegetation: black twinberry, firewood,cow parsnip at Kenneth Creek Block. 14
Re-establishment of vegetation one month followingblading at Kenneth Creek. 14
Bateman Road Block. T. S. H. L. A04098, C. P."A", Unit 7. 16
Swampy section in Bateman Road Block. 16
Trakmac crossing swamp between drumlinridges in Vama Vama Creek Block. 18
C. P. 223, Unit 1A at Mile 19 on Tumuch SouthRoad. 18
Site Assessment crew taking slash measurementsat Bateman Road Block. 22
Washington Iron Works, model TM 72 Trakmac inKenneth Creek Block. 31
Trakmac planting spots at Kenneth Creek. 31
Beales brush blade mounted on Caterpillar D7ETractor. 34
Figure Page
Brush bladed planter access road at Kenneth CreekBlock. 34
V-plow moving heavy logging slash in KennethCreek Block. 37
V-plow planting spots at Kenneth Creek. 37
Sharkfin drag scarifier at Kenneth Creek. 40
Sharkfin planting spots and planter access trailat Kenneth Creek. 40
20, Finnish T. T. 5. model 35 Disc Trencher. 43
Disc Trencher at Kenneth Creek Block. 43
Swedish Bracke.Cultivator in Bateman Road Block. 47
Bracke Cultivator planting spots and planteraccess trail at Kenneth Creek. 47
Rubber-tired skidder trail in salvage cutover atVama Vama Creek. August 1974. 64
Skidder tracks in Bateman Road Block. 64
Morbark Chiparvestor on Northwood logging showat Vama Vama Creek. 66
Logging residue at Tumuch Lake. 66
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES 9
STUDY DESCIUPTION 11Treatment Areas 11Testing Procedure 20Equipment Trials 23
APPENDIX A - Maps 74APPENDIX B - Production Tables 84APPENDIX C - Forms 92
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1,, HD 16 Backhoe Production and Cost Data. 29
TM-72 Production and Cost Data. 32
Brush Blade Production and Cost Data. 35
V-Plow Production and Cost Data. 36
Sharkfin Production and Cost Data. 41
Finnish Disc Trencher Production and Cost Data. 44
Swedish Bracke Cultivator-Production and Cost Data. 46
Machine Production in Minutes Per Acre Treated. 56
Anticipated Planting Production. 58
SILVICULTURAL MECHANICAL SITE PREPARATION
I. INTRODUCTION
At the "big bendtT, near Prince Goerge in central British
Columbia, the silty glacial-fed Fraser River leaves its northerly
route through the narrow Rocky Mountain Trench, to plunge south-
ward to the Pacific Ocean. The broadened "trench", a rolling,
glacial and fluvial-incised plateau extends north-westerly through
the headwater drainage of the Peace River. This waterway in turn
cuts through the Rocky Mountains to join the Slave and Mackenzie
Rivers in their northward flow to the Arctic Ocean (Appendix A).
To the north lies the boreal forest which extends eastward
across Canada. To the south, the wet interior cedar- -hemlock
(Thuja plicata_ -Tsuga heterophylla) forest type reaches the limits
of its interior range, as does the dry Douglas-fir- -lodgepole pine
(Pseudotsuga menziesii--Pinus contorta latifolia) type of the Cariboo
region.
The vast area lying between these extremes is covered with a
sub-alpine forest comprised mainly of white spruce (Picea glauca
ssp. glauca) and alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) on the wetter lowland
sites, and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta .latifolia) on the drier ridge
sites. The encompassing Prince George Forest District harvests
annually, by clear cut logging of 100, 000 acres (40,470 hectares),
2
in excess of 400MM cubic feet (11,327,400 meters3), of the prov-
ince's total annual cut of some 2,000 MM cubic feet (56, 637,000 m3)
of timber. Over half of this volume is white spruce (Picea glauca
ssp. glauca), the majority of which is logged during the winter
months, when the frozen snow-covered ground facilitates access and
log transport. It has been estimated (Appendix II) that 60 percent of
the logged area requires site preparation; 79 percent of this by
mechanical scarification, and 21 percent by prescribed burning
(Figure 1).
The variable local climates can be generalized for this region
as: rainfall, 20 to 36 inches (51 to 91 cm.); average monthly temper-0 0 0 0 0 0atures: July, 58 to 60 F. (14 to 16 C.), January, 5 to 14 F.
(-15° to _10 C.) with extremes of -59° to 102° F. (-51° to 390 C.);
frost-free period is 50 to 100 days.
The white spruce- -alpine fir (Picea glauca ssp. glauca- -Abies
lasiocarpa) forest types which predominate here are generally over-
mature, and occur in the heavier precipitation zones. Wood fibre
productivity on five different site types ranges from 8, 000 cubic
feet per acre (226 M3), down to 4,000 cubic feet per acre (113 M3);
with average corresponding heights of dominant spruce from 130 feet
(40 M) to 95 feet (29 M), and co-dominant alpine fire from 108 feet
(33 M) to 81 feet (25 M), as reported by Illingworth and Arlidge (6).
These conditions often result in a deep organic or duff layer,
Figure 1. Winter cut-over on Naver Creek Road.
Figure 2. Teapot Lake cut-over in Big Valley Forest.
3
4
with a thick ground cover of shrub species, particularly the site type
indicator devil's club (Oplopanax horridus), and black twinberry
(Lonicera involucrata). Because of stand overmaturity, windfalls,
rotten wood, and snags are common. Soil types are generally
moderately-well to imperfectly drained, and heavy textured. Springs,
swamps, and perched water tables are typically dispersed through-
out the region, and account for the high proportions of winter logging.
The aforementioned situation creates moderate to heavy concentra-
tions of cull logs, slash, and undisturbed duff following logging
(Figure 2) particularly in valley bottoms. The resulting ground condi-
tions are considered by B. C. Forest Service to constitute a serious
fire hazard, as well as a significant impedance to the progress and
success of subsequent reforestation operations.
As reported by Rieche (14), scarification for the amelioration
of seed bed conditions was attempted in British Columbia as early as
1929. However, it was not until 1956 that the first formal mechan-
ical scarification program was initiated by Decie and Fraser (3).
These trials, which extended through 1959, were conducted on
twenty-five timber sales, and covered some 2, 000 acres (809 ha.)
in the Prince George Forest District. The ultimate aim was to
provide a seed bed suitable for natural regeneration through
scarification, either prior to, or following logging (Figure 3).
Further detailed work studies in 1960 and 1961 assessed influencing
5
physical factors such as soil condition, topography, and slash; and
grouped mechanical equipment by performance ratings (15).
During the period from 1950 to 1956, mechanical scarification
trials were also conducted in Alberta (2), and northwestern Ontario
(5), on ground and stand conditions somewhat similar to those
covered in this report. Results of these antecedent forest soil
scarification projects will be referred to where appropriate herein.
The establishment in the sixties of three large pulp mills at
Prince George converted the local economy from sawmilling to an
integrated forest products orientation. Subsequently, in the result-
ing large clearcut areas, many extending over hundreds of acres,
it soon became apparent that planting of tree seedlings was a silvi--
cultural necessity.
A greatly accelerated Forest District planting program was
up fromfive million seedlings in 1973, to nine million in 1974, with
further increases to twelve million in 1975, and a forecasted sixteen
million seedlings in 1976. This fact, which can only magnify an
already critical manpower situation, as requirements soar from
12, 000 planter days to 50, 000 planter days (13), points up the need of
improving conditions for planter access, and of assuring the success
of planted stock.
Of the 49, 430 acres (20, 004 ha.) which received site prepara-
tion treatment in 1974 in the Prince George Forest District, 18, 390
6
acres (7, 442 ha.) was broadcast burned, and 10, 342 acres (4, 185 ha.)
was windrow burned, for a total of 58 percent receiving prescribed
burning treatment (Appendix B). It was shown earlier that only 21
percent of the total area requiring site preparation should be burned.
It follows that there is considerable scope for expansion of mechan-
ical site preparation activities.
Even with the increased vigilance and precautionary measures
taken on prescribed burning, there were 36 escape fires that burned
3,075 acres (1, 244 ha.) in this Forest District in 1974 (1). The
inherent dangers of summer slash burning (Figure 4), and public
pressures aroused by smoke pollution and personal losses incurred,
indicate the desirability of investigating alternative methods such
as mechanical site preparation.
In answer to this rapidly growing need, British Columbia
Forest Service, during the summer of 1974, instituted Experimental
Project 740--Silvicultural Mechanical Site Preparation (S.M.S.P.).
The author of this report worked on the project, and during the
summer of 1975, re-visited ce.rtain of the treated areas in order to
assess the results achieved.
The following is an account of the machine trials, with related
cost and production data. Conclusive results of related seedling
growth success will not be known for a few years. However,
recommendations are made herein, on the basis of evidence
Figure 3. Drag scarifier used on Lodgepole pine flats.
I
Figure 4. Slashburn tiescapel? at Mile 19 on the Bowron RiverForest Road.
7
obtained during S. M. S. P., during previous studies of a similar
nature, and alternatively or in conjunction with other management
practices which are currently being tested, and which indicate
promising results.
II. OBJECTIVES
The aim of the Silvicultural Mechanical Site Preparation pro-
ject has been to examine available site preparation equipment to
select the more promising machinery for field trials, and to
assess their performance in obtaining a given standard of work, at
an acceptable cost level, under varying site conditions.
The following S.M.S. P. standards were established:
Trafficability
A general improvement of site conditions should beachieved which will allow unimpeded planter movementbetween planting spots. T rafficability improvement shouldreduce unproductive and often arduous walking time, thusimproving working conditions, and permitting mc reasedplanter production.
Plantability
Improvement of planting spots for planting should beaccomplished by disturbing, mixing or breaking up theduff-grass-litter layer, and by eliminating upper rootsof competing vegetation. Plantability improvementshould also stimulate growth, and increase survival rateof planted seedlings.
Spacing
Resulting planting spot distribution of not less than 450spots per acre (0.4 ha.) should be attained with generallyan 8 foot by 8 foot (2. 5 m. by 2. 5 m.) spacing.
Fire Risk
Fire hazard abatement should result from the elimina-tion and rearrangement of logging slash fuel.
E. Environment
Environmental impact should be minimized by elimina-tion of surface scalping, downhill ditching, and othererodible and undesirable site conditions.
10
III. STUDY DESCRIPTION
Treatment Areas
11
In June of 1974, B. C. Forest Service operational and support
personnel made an inspection tour of cut-over areas in the Naver,
Big Valley, and Purden Forests, to the south and east of Prince
George (Appendix A).
The following is a description of the areas selected for
scarification trials, in the order in which treatment was initiated.
The sequence and success of operations was unavoidably modified by
local site, weather, and machine supply constraints. Heavy rains
in July drenched low-lying areas, and washed out an access road
bridge crossing. Completion of a wood residue chipping operation
signalled the start-up for scarification in another area; while machine
availability from suppliers, dictated timing, location, and duration
of certain of the machine trials.
Despite the above obstacles to a complete and systematic
analysis of all systems, the trials generally proceeded toward
increasingly difficult operation conditibns. Thus the range of machine
capabilities was evaluated on the basis of recorded data, and visual
observations, as well as by judgement of optimum performance
limits, based on trials where comparison was feasible.
13
divided almost evenly between Class 1, or up to 2,500 eubic feet
peracre (29 m3/ha), and Class 2, between 2,500 and 5,000 cubic
feet per acre (29 to 58 m3/ha.). The above condition slowed machine
progress during trials, and also contributed to hang-ups, upsetting,
and equipment breakage. The major portion of the machine trials
were carried out in Block A.
Annual plants had become re-established within a month of
treatment in August 1974 (Figure 6). A heavy ground cover over-
shadowed many of the white spruce (Picea glauca ssp. glauca) seed-
lings planted in June 1975, when the area was re-visited in August
of that year. However, growth of the seedlings appeared vigorous
despite the abundance .of competitive vegetation.
Bateman Road- -Block 2 (Appendix A, Figure 7)
This was a 306 acre (124 ha.) clear-cutblock, logged in 1972-
73 and located at Mile 26 on the Bateman Road, three miles (4. 8 km.)
south of the Highway 16 crossing of the Bowron River. It comprised
Unit seven, of Cutting Permit "A", in Timber Sale Harvesting
License A04098. The area, lying between 2,600 feet (800 m.) and
3, 100 feet (945 m.) elevation, had a general southerly aspect, with
slopes ranging from zero to 30 percent. The drier glacial till ridges
had supported a lodgepole pine-aspen (Pinus contorta latifolia-
Populus tremuloides) stand. Very sparse ground vegetation,
light logging slash, and thin duff were present in these conditions.
Between the ridges in the wet spruce-alpine fir-cottonwood (Picea
glauca ssp. glauca-Abie s lasiocarpa-Populus trichocarpa) types,
heavy slash and deep organic matter were encountered. These
wet areas delayed treatment, and even during the dry period in
August 1974 they were subject to deep rutting by crawler tractors
pulling scarifiers, as the ground surface had been during logging by
rubber-tired skidders (Figure 8).
Vama Vama Creek-Block C (Appendix A)
This was a generally flat to rolling 220 acre (89 ha.) clear-cut
block located five miles (8 km.) north of Highway 16 between the
Willow and Bowron Rivers. It comprised Unit two, of Timber Sale
Harvesting License AO5 321. The dry, glacial drumlin ridges were
separated by swampy bottomlands covered by a deep organic layer.
The area was logged by a Northwood Mills Ltd. contractor during
the winter 1973-74. Considerable loss of timber in the form of
broken and buried trees resulted from heavy snowfall conditions dur-
ing logging. This situation was improved by salvage logging and
chipping of residues by the licensee with a Morbark Chiparvestor,
prior to scarification trials. The wet, heavy clay soil was subject
to deep rutting by rubber-tired skidders and crawler tractors. A
soft-track vehicle, with independent hydrostatic drives on the front
and rear modules. Its exceptional maneuverability and low ground
pressures of 3.00 p.s. i. (0. 2 kg. 1cm. 2) on rear, and 375
(0. 3 kg. 1cm. 2) on front, enabled movement on wet, swampy sites
with minimum site impact. The hydraulic boom had a swing of eight
feet (2. 4 rn.) center to center of a 36 inch (0. 9 m.) diameter cutter,
or optional site preparation wheel. This machine had a 130 H P.
diesel engine, and shipping weight of 14,000 pounds (6350 kg)
(Figure 12).
Production rate, as might be expected, will not match that of
the larger crawler tractors in normal conditions (Table 2). How-
ever, the quality of its planter access trails, and planting spots
(Figure 13) combined with its minimal environmental impact, appear
attractive for highly productive, wet, or steep sites.
Considerable downtime occurred as a result of frequent
hydraulic failures during the initial trial period. The piston of one
of the swing cylinders dismantled. This was followed by failure of
the hydraulic hose to the replacement cylinder. Three other hoses
controlling the cutterwheel tilt, the cutter motor control valve, and
the return swing also failed; the former of these as the result of a
piece of wood jamming in the cutter-head. Hydraulic oil leakage
also occurred around the reservoir.
Early trials were made with the 36 inch (91 cm.) cutter-wheel
Figure 12. Washington Iron Works, model TM 72 Trakmac inKenneth Creek Block.
4--- -
-d- ' 1- -
Figure 13. Trakmac planting spots at Kenneth Creek.
31
32
which was soon replaced by the site preparation wheel. Cutting
through the duff could only be accomplished with the wheel at the high
speed setting of 640 r.pm. The straight blades of the site prepara-
tion wheel tended to centrifugally throw, rather than mix the
nutrient-rich duff with the underlying mineral soil. These blades
were soon worn round on the edges, and outer corners, and had to
be rebuilt Shrouding around the cutter-head would likely eliminate
this centrifugal waste of planting site material. Lateral tilt, and
cab-controlled speed selection of the cutter-head are other
recommended improvements
Site Preparation Attachments
Since the FMC 200 CA trials were of a very limited extent,
the comments and data below pertain to operations where the
Caterpillar D7E tractors served as prime movers for the various
scarification attachments.
Table 2. TM-72 Production and Cost Data.
Rental rate per hour (1974) $24. 00
Availability 62%
Efficiency 52%
Acres treated per hour 0. 36
(Hectares treated per hour 0. 15)
Cost per acre $67.00
(Cost per hectare $27. 11)
33.
Brush Blades. Both tractors were equipped with brush blades.
These blades were 11 feet 8 inches (3. 5 m.) long, and three feet
seven inches (1. 1 m.) high. The 1962 tractor had a Beales blade
with six 18 inch (46 cm.) long shanks which curved forward sharply
below the moldboard, producing an under-shoe effect. The Beales
brush blade rides over obstacles easily, and is well suited for site
preparation work (Figure 14). The 1966 tractor was equipped with
a Panko blade with six 24 inch (61 cm.) 1ong shanks which are only
slightly curved forward below the moldboard. The Panko brush blaae
hooks obstacles, scalps the surface, and is better adapted to slash-
piling, and land cleaning operations. In addition to test areas
completed. by brush blade (Table 3), large tioperationalli areas were
also treated in this manner. The brush blade was also found to be
necessary for removal of heavy slash while using the tow-type
scarifiers. There is considerable variance in brush blade design..
The "idealt' design might incorporate a slight V configuration, with
smooth moldboard for side-casting, as well as the shoe tooth
configuration to reduce root snagging. Brush blading results
generally in well cleared strips, sometimes scalped too deeply,
with large intervening windrow accumulations of slash (Figure 15).
Table 3. Brush Blade Production and Cost Data.
(combined for Beales and Panko blades)
35
Ripper V-Plow (Figure 16). This blade designed, built by, and
on loan from Northwood Pulp and Timber Ltd. in Prince George,
was of very massive construction. It was fabricated from two, four
foot (1.2 m.) by eight foot (2.4 m.) steel sheets welded into a
V-shaped frame, forming a 12 foot 8 inch (3. 9 m.) wide moldboard.
Vertical box frames, welded to either end of the V-frame, enclosed
heavy, depth adjustable, 24 inch (61 cm.) steel shanks with the bottom
hooked forward, stinger-like, to accomodate an .in -turned plowshare.
A third fixed stub-shank was located at the V apex of the blade. This
unit was designed to fit on the C frame of a Caterpillar D7E tractor
Maximum clearance under the blade at full lift was only 12 inches
(30 cm.).
Larger material was side-cast into windrows. Short logs
and chunks, however, were usually caught by the corner mounted
Rental rate per hour(including prime mover)
$29. 00
Availability 83%
Efficiency 64%
Acres treated per hour 0. 58
(Hectares treated per hour 0. 23)
Cost per acre $50. 00
(Cost per hectare $20. 24)
36
plowshares, and drawn inward under the crawler track. The result-
ing roughness made it difficult to maintain a constant working depth.
The plowshare lead also, on striking rooted obstructions, pulled the
entire machine with a twisting motion downward, and further into
the obstruction, causing the opposite corner of the blade to lift
completely clear of the ground. The resulting treatment effect was
one of alternate gouging with some good furrowing in between (Figure
17). The massive blade obstructed the operators view, and limited
the air flow to the engine causing overheating of both machine and
operator. The only mechanical failure was breakage of one plow-
share cutting edge. The following table shows production and cost
data obtained with the Northwood Ripper V-Plow.
Sharkfin Drag Scarifier (Figure 18). For application in the
S. M. S. P. trials, the sharkfin was combined with other equally
simple componejits which can be readily interchanged, and attached
Table 4. V-Plow Production and Cost Data.
Rental rate per hour (1974)(including prime mover)
$32.00
Availability 92%
Efficiency 66%
Acres treated per hour 1. 16
(Hectares treated per hour 0. 47)
Cost per acre $27.50
(Cost per hectare $11. 13)
I
Figure 16. V-plow moving heavy logging slash in KennethCreek Block.
Figure 17. V-plow planting spots at Kenneth Creek.
37
singly or in multiples to either winch line or drawbar of a suitable
prime mover.
Components by assembly sequence:
Boat: An eight foot (2. 4 m.) triangular shaped, one foot(0. 3 m.) deep steel towing yoke, designed by B. C.Forest Service. Attached to the leading apex was a sixfoot (1. 8 m.) long section of one and three quarter inch(4. 5 cm.) diameter tow chain This allowed the scarifierlateral flexibility to move around stumps, while permittingthe tractor to back up, and maneuver .around obstacles.Welded on the rear vertical plate were four equally-spaced attachment brackets.
Scarifier Chain: Two nine foot (2. 7 m.) long, or eightlink sections, of 30 pound (13.5 kg.) link, of two and onehalf inch (6. 4 cm.) diameter anchor chain. Ten inch(25 cm.) grouser bars extended laterally from each link.These cross pieces in Hteetl formation tended to align thelighter slash, while ripping into the duff.
Sharkfin: This drag scarifier was originally designed bythe Ontario Department of Lands and Forests. In itsS. M1 S. P. configuration it consisted of two drums, eachfour feet (1. 2 m.) long by two feet (0. 6 m.) diameter,and fabricated of one half inch (13 mm.) plate. Eachdrum had four rows of opposing spirally aligned cutterblades or fins, six inch (15 cm.) deep, six and one halfinch (16.5 cm.) top, and eight inch (20 cm.) bottomdimensions, on the longitudinal axis of the drums. Whentowed, the blades forced the drums to rotate slowly,shearing and mixing the soil surface layers in two shallowfurrows. Best rotation and results were achieved withthe drums each ballas ted with sixty gallons (227 liters)of water, through filling plugs in the rear of the drums.Partial water load caused the drums to ??nose in" and dragrather than rotating. Occasionally, the drums flippedover each other, on a stump, or while turning at the endof a strip.
Stabilizer Pads: Two, three foot (0. 9 m.) long sectionsof one and one half inch (3. 8 cm.) diameter chain,complete with swivels, served to attach and prevent
38
39
rotation of the last components. These consisted of two,three foot (0. 9 m.) lengths of discarded 24 inch (61 cm.)track from a Caterpillar D 8 size tractor. The latterserved to stabilize, and prevent the drums from bouncingabout, while also mixing the soil in the furrows cut bythe fins
This scarifier, while of simple design, produced a high
standard of performance (Table 5). Trafficability in the strips
'was adequate, and a consistent planting pattern was provided by the
furrows. The latter were five to six feet (1. 5 to 1.8 m.) apart,
but could be increased by use of a wide boat (Figure 19).
On sidehill operation, the drums tend to move laterally down-
hill. Results were generally better with the drag attached to the
tractor drawbar, maintaining boat and anchor chain in closer sur-
face contact. However, on soft ground, attaching the drag to the
winch line permitted the operator to tidrop?? the scarifier, move
ahead and winch in, as a skidder operator does on soft ground to
prevent bogging down. The only mechanical failure was breakage
of a tow chain link, when a sharkfin drum became wedged between
two large stumps on a turn.
=
.
Figure 18. Sharkfin drag scarifier at Kenneth Creek.
tion without disturbing these horizons. The aim of the S. M. S. P.
trials, however, was to create disturbance of the duff layer.
McMinn (11) reports on 197 1-72 trials in this Forest District
to assess the value of herbicides for site preparation, and to deter-
mine the significance of removing competitive vegetation, with or
without removal of surface organic horizons. Results of these
exploratory trials showed that herbicide treatment was less effec-
tive for site preparation than even blade scarification (11).
VII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The following conclusions and recommendations are made in
the same chronological order that they would occur during the nor-
mal course of forest operations:
Pres carification
69
This practice was used in past years with only limited success,
when natural regeneration was the silvicultural aim. It would be of
even less value for site preparation of white spruce (Picea glauca
ssp. glauca) seedlings planted following harvesting, as many of the
planting spots produced would be covered with logging slash.
Logging
The generally wet ground conditions of the white spruce-alpine
fir (Picea glauca ssp. glauca-Abies lasiocarpa) forest types have
necessitated winter logging of approximately 60 percent of the 100, 000
acres (40, 470 ha.) whic1 is clear-cut harvested annually in the Prince
George Forest District.
Skidding on the snowpack, while undoubtedly essential in some
areas, creates two undesirable site conditions:
Duff on the forest floor is left undisturbed, thus necessitating
site preparation work.
70
Broken and lost logs are left under the snow to be retrieved
and chipped when feasible, during summer salvage logging,
at additional cost.
It is recommended that a low ground pressure crawler tractor,
such as the FMC 200, be used in the Prince George Forest District
to substantially increase the volume of timber produced during the
summer and fall seasons. This practice would undoubtedly alleviate,
if not entirely eliminate, the conditions of undisturbed forest floor,
and need for salvage residue logging, which result from winter
operations.
Site Preparation
It is recommended that, where economically and ecologically
acceptable, mechanical site preparation in white spruce-alpine fir
(Picea glauca ssp. glauca-Abies lasiocarpa) cut-over be carried out
in the following manner:
Prime Mover
Use a modified FMC 200 CA, or equivalent low ground pres-
sure crawler tractor, equipped with V-shaped brush blade, winch
and suitable towing arrangement.
Site Preparation Attachment
Use a Bracke Cultivator, as modified during S.M.S.P. trials,
and equipped with suitable towing hitch for mounting. behind the FMC
type tractor.
Cost Benefit Consideration
71
In all areas of forest management, costs of programs such as
Silvicultural Mechanical Site Preparation must be weig1ed against
benefits to be achieved, or at least anticipated. Some forest sites
are more highly productive than others; consequently greater
expenditures are justified for their rehabilitation, in view of econ-
omic returns.
A guideline expenditure (13) for the combined cost of site
preparation and establishing regeneration should not exceed $1.00 per
cubic foot (0. 03 m3.) of mean annual increment. For productivity
class one, 100 cubic feet per acre per year (7 m. per ha.), a maxi-
mum expenditure of $100, 00, divided equally between site prepara-
tion, and planting costs is justified.
It would appear from S. M. S. P. results that mechanical site
preparation costs may be kept within the established guidelines, at
least for productivity class one.
It is recommended that site productivity be given prime consi-
deration when a decision on site rehabilitation is required.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Annual Report Prince George Forest District, B. C. ForestService. 1974.
Crossley, D. I. Mechanical scarification and strip clear-cutting to induce lodgepole pine regeneration. CanadaDepartment of Northern Affairs and National Resources.For. Res. Div. Tech. Note No. 34, 14 pp. 1956.
Decie, T. P. and A. R. Fraser. Miscellaneous notes onscarification trials Prince George Forest District 1956 to1959. B. C. Forest Service. Res. Note No. 36. 22 pp.1960.
Froehlich, H. A. Impact of even-age forest management onphysical properties of soils. Even-Age Management Sym.Proc. 0. 5. U. Paper 848. 23 pp. 1973.
Holt, L., H. S. D. Swan, and G. F. Weetman. Forest soilScarification. Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada.50 pp. 1956.
Illi.ngworth, K. and J. W. C. Arlidge. Interim report onsome forest site types in lodgepole pine and spruce-alpinefir stands. B. C. Forest Service. Res. Not No. 35. 44pp. 1960.
Lowdermilk, W. C. Influence of forest litter on runoff,percolation and erosion. Journal Forestry 28: 474-491.1930.
Lyford, W. H. and D. W. MacLean. Mound and pit micro-relief in relation to soil disturbance and tree distribution inNew Brunswick, Canada. Dept. Fish.8z Forest. Can. For.Serv. 17 pp.
Marston, R. B. Ground cover requirements for summerstorm runoff control on aspen sites in northern Utah.Journal Forestry 50: 303-307. 1952.
72
Muraro, S. J. Slashfuel inventories from 70 mm. lowlevel photography. Dept. Fish. & Forest. Can. For.Serv. Pub.. No. 1268. 12 pp. jllus.
McMinn, R. G. Unpublished experiment 70-F4. Pac. For.Res. Centre. Environment Canada.
Newton, M. (ed.) Herbicides in vegetation management inforests, ranges, and non-ciop lands. Syn. Proc. 0. 5. U.School of Forestry, 356 pp. 1967.
Revel, J. The need for mechanized silviculture and reforest-ation systems. B. C. Forest Service. 5 pp. 1974.
Rieche, K. W. A preliminary study of the economic useof crawler, tractor equipment for scarification. B. C.Forest Service. Eng. Div. 1961
Forest soil scarification in the Interiox ofBritish Cohimbia. B. C. Forest Service, Eng. Div. 81pp. 1963.
Project outline EP 740. B. C. ForestService Res. Div. 26 pp. 1974.
Steinbrenner, E. C. Effect of repeated tractor trips onthe physical properties of forest soils. N. W Sd. 29:155-159. 1955.
Vyse, A. H. How to calculate planting performancestandards. B. C. Forest Service Res. Div. 1974.
73
74
APPENDIX A
Maps of Forest Districts, Study Area, and Blocks
Figures Page
A. 1 British Columbia Forest Districts 75
A.2 S.M.S.P. StudyAreas (Blocks Ato G) 76
A. 3 Kenneth Creek- -Block A 77
A. 4 Bateman Road- -Block B 78
A. 5 Vama Va.ma Creek- - Block C 79
A..6 Tumuch Lake--BlockD 80
A.7 Tumuch Lake--Block F 81
A.8 HungaryCreekWest--BlockG 82
A. 9 Aerial Photographs (before and after treatment) 83
APPENDICES
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OF SWAMP ASSOCIAIEO WITH FLU VIAL DEPOSITSOFF Swamp en flood PlainaOF S Filled 0,00w LeOne end BecImai,r ChennileSWAMPS ASSOCIATED WITH SIDE HILl. SEEPAGE
HEIGHT CURVESTh. numb., unsanuend should be I... then 20 height, parspecie pen timber type in even - aged and young hand.. Old.,end rand, with teverdi level, OF Crowns requite t,erethan 20 rnading. .uI should not e.cned 50 needIng,.
Tree height readIng, take distributed as fallow.
PHYSICAL FACTORS-CLASSES AND SYMBOLS
DOUBLE PLOTTINGlAl Length IIIdnd W(dth(I( or Radiue(II viad ter LARGE PLOT
Ltngth(2I - (21 - 12) SMALL PLOTDON LIMIT must bOon ODD INIERGER < IS
(B) If area has betA prenouely logged USE length (I(.tC. forSTANOING TREES and/or STUMPS.USE length (21 etc far SLASH. Cit diffirent tree, lenglb (I))
DBH LIMIT MUST BE LEFT BLANK.
NOTE: Peiet the alpheb.ttc Choroclers" I aad 0 ff1.1, tadr,tInguIsh frees the number, I and 0
ROUGHNESS 1% indIcate, portIon at urea affected II. 0-10% 4. 40-60%2.IO-25% 5. 60%.3.25400/
ASPECTI.. NORTH. NN
NORTH-east NEEAST a E ESOUTH- ear a SESOUTH 0 SSSOUTH-w.st.5W
Ti WESTCWWB. NORTH-w..I.NW9. FLAT 5 NA
MAJOR LAND FEATURESFPL Flood Plain USI Upper Slap,BFL Bench Flata MSL Middle Slop.VFR Volley Flaor ILD blandLSL Lower Slope
GRANULAR SOILS WITH LITTLE FINES (410% FINES)GRAVELGRAVEL and SANDSANDGRANULAR SOILS WITH SIGNIFICANT FINES (10-55% FINES)SILTY GRAVELCLAYEYSILTY SANDFINE - GRAINED SOILS (>35 0/, FINES)SILT.CLAYORGANIC SOILS (DEPTH 2 FEET C
SOIL MATERIALlOO SOLID ROCK200 BOULDERS B ROCK FRAGMENTS3-00-10-20-30