Redwood Restoration: A Project in Thinning Young Redwood Stands
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Abstract:
The goal of this project was to accomplish thinning of a half-acre section of second growth redwood while still maintaining 40% SDI on the strand. A moderate thin leaving around 200 TPA was chosen due to the fact that it would leave the largest trees in the strand and cause them to grow the fastest. Trees were felled by chainsaw in order of smallest to largest and then limbed. Limbed tree trunks were either bucked and stacked to be removed off site or underwent lop and scatter to be left onsite depending on diameter of the trunk.
Problem Statement:
It has been seen that thinning can increase the amount of old growth characteristics as well as add ecological, commercial, and aesthetic value. Thinning young redwood strands reduces vulnerability to fire, bear damage, pests, as well as slow carbon sequestration. Coast Redwood exists mostly in strands of second growth today due to the legacy of clear-cut logging in Kneeland, Ca.
Course Code:
ENVS 410
Instructor:
Richard Hansis
Date:
fall 2012
Data:
original