Study Title:
Heart of Darkness

Case Study Type: Forest type
Site Photo:
https://www.uvm.edu/nesl/system/files/webform/new_case_study/45/IMG_1808.JPG

Image caption: Active harvest
Lay Summary:
The goal of this project is to create a more diverse forest structure by releasing a component of the forest understory.  This was achieved by removing gaps of the overstory to fully release the advanced regeneration below.  Post-harvest, the released understory is now able to function as a new cohort in part due to the abundance of desirable regeneration and adds to the structural diversity across the stands being treated.  

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-------- Site Location -------------------------------------------------------

Location:
Victory, Vermont

Location Description:
The project area is located South of Bog Brook and east of Victory Hill Road

Directions:
The project area is accessible by a State Forest highway (Bog Brook Road) on the right-hand side of the Victory Hill Road approximately 0.5 miles past the junction with Masten Road. 

Accessibility:
Access to the project area via Bog Brook Road is seasonal with vehicles or by foot year round.

Landowner Name:
State of Vermont

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-------- Stand Information ---------------------------------------------------

Stand Area with Units:
300 acres

Cover Type:
Spruce-fir

Natural Community Classification:
Lowland Spruce-Fir Forest (VT)

Plant Community/Habitat Class Growth Stage:
These stands have two distinct cohorts present where the overstory is mature and stocking is variable with an understory that has reinitiated.  This younger cohort is uniform and well established with saplings to small poles befitting the moniker of a ‘dog hair thicket’.  

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-------- Pre-treatment Conditions --------------------------------------------

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-------- Silviculture Prescription -------------------------------------------

Case Overview:
The goal of this project is to create a more diverse forest structure by releasing a component of the forest understory. This was achieved by removing gaps of the overstory to fully release the advanced regeneration below. Post-harvest, the released understory is now able to function as a new cohort in part due to the abundance of desirable regeneration and adds to the structural diversity across the stands being treated.

Silviculture Objectives:
Over the long term it is the goal to have entries move the stand structure to a more multi aged condition.  In addition, near term activities are intended to foster the long-term goal of increasing / maintaining the Red spruce component and retain a true softwood mixture.  This is possible through the sites, soils and treatment types proposed for this entry.

Landowner Objectives:
The LRMP identifies that Lowland Spruce-Fir stands may have management activities that foster the development of multi-aged forest communities with substantial components of red spruce and white pine, complex structural characteristics, and natural disturbance dynamics, while sustainably producing forest products and enhancing habitat for focal wildlife species.   

Silviculture Prescription:
The treatment for this stand(s) is going to be an over story removal (OSR).  The arrangement of this prescription is not a total OSR of the stand but rather a partial removal through the creation of gaps that compliments the existing variability of both over and understory.  The establishment of these gaps will be based on the presence of a well-stocked, mature overstory with an understory that has an abundance of advance regeneration in the seedling to sapling size class.  With the high component of Red spruce in both the over story and understory it is intended to maintain this composition as it is unique, and well suited to the sites present.  There is no bias towards endemic levels of Balsam fir and other intolerant hardwoods interspersed across these stands. It is planned that no more than 1/3 of the total unit will be treated through these four (4) gaps by removal of the overstory.  It is not intended to have removals occur within the matrix directly adjacent or between the scheduled gaps.  Leave trees will be retained as encountered in the field and will be primarily Red spruce that have large crowns and exhibit superior phenotypical characteristics. Other species, including Cedar, Hemlock and White pine, are to be retained at all times within gaps.  The few existing scattered stems of intolerant hardwoods (Birches, Red maple and Popple) found within the gap are also not scheduled for removal as their presence has little to no impact on potential of changing the composition and are naturally occurring associates of this community type.  

Regeneration Targets/Goals :
Post harvest the goal is have gaps with a fully released, functioning cohort of predominantly Spruce-fir with scattered seed trees and associated leave tress / snags.  The abundance of advance regeneration in these gaps bodes well for meeting our goals.

Equipment used:
Mechanized harvesting system - Feller buncher and Graple skidders.  

Prescription Notes:
Working with the Feller operator to make sure their falling practices, spacing and carrying wood were imperative to a positive outcome and survival of regeneration.

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-------- Post-treatment ------------------------------------------------------

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-------- Miscellaneous -------------------------------------------------------

General Notes:
A 30' ADM bridge (portable truck bridge) was utilized to access one portion of the sale area.  This was to facilitate operations and showcase the potential use & application of these resources to maintain water quality while following AMP's.  The stream that was crossed (Bog Brook) is monitored by DEC considered to be an A1 waterway.  Other infrastructure also had to be improved before operations to allow access, comply with AMP's and mitigate beaver conflicts.  these improvements included but not limited to: ditching, installing new larger culverts and utilizing Roque Sandwiches (engineered permeable road crossings).   

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-------- Statistics ----------------------------------------------------------

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-------- Contact Information -------------------------------------------------

Primary Contact:
Scott Machinist

Contact Title:
State Lands Forester

Contact Organization:
Vermont Forest Parks and Recreation

Contact Email: scott.machinist@vermont.gov
Contact Address:
St. Johnsbury
United States

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-------- Supplementary Content -----------------------------------------------