info/landowners damage/forests

[Lee Borgersen]

  DNR offers information to landowners dealing with storm damage to forests


Natural disasters, such as tornados, hailstorms and floods, can wreak havoc on the best of forest management plans, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Such disasters can result in major economic losses and create significant forest management problems.

Jana Albers, DNR forest health specialist, offers tips for landowners dealing with storm-damaged forests.

What are some of the effects of large numbers of downed trees?

Fuel build-up resulting in future forest fire hazard.
Loss of economic value.
Potential for future loss due to increased susceptibility to insects, decay and future storm damage.
Changes in aesthetic values and forest objectives.
Damaged or blocked roads, culverts and ditches.
Safety hazards for landowner and forest workers.
Changes in fish and wildlife habitat.
 
Are landowners required to clean up downed trees and forest debris caused by a storm?
No. However, salvage/clean-up is desirable to reduce the future potential for wildfires and insect infestations. Salvage/clean-up will likely be necessary to encourage natural regeneration of the forest trees and plant communities.

What is a salvage harvest?
Salvage harvest is a type of logging method used in forested areas to remove trees, stems and stubs that have been damaged by a natural disturbance such as a wind storm. Healthy, sound trees with full crowns are retained. A tree needs at least a quarter to a third of its height in foliage to be considered healthy.

What should people do first if they want to conduct a salvage harvest?
Conduct a thorough damage assessment and consider a salvage harvest:

If physically possible, walk the entire property. (Wear your hard hat and other safety gear.)
Make a simple map showing extent and type of damage. Note general locations of trees with broken tops, broken limbs, fallen trees, severely bent trees and blocked roads and trails. Take photographs.
Note where invasive plants are growing so they can be addressed before or during salvage operations.
Where can people get assistance with a salvage harvest?
Professional assistance is available to help people assess the situation and make informed decisions on how to proceed. For a more detailed assessment to determine value losses and how to set up and conduct a timber sale, the DNR recommends contracting with a private forestry consultant. A forestry consultant will know reliable loggers, local market conditions and regulatory requirements. For a listing of private consultant foresters, visit http://www.paulbunyan.net/users/norfor/members.htm.

What is involved in timber salvage/clean-up operations?

Working in storm damaged areas is very dangerous, so it is strongly recommended that only professional loggers or landscape companies do the work in these areas. These people have the necessary expertise and equipment to accomplish the work safely.
The volume and value of the timber will be almost impossible to determine until the harvesting operation begins. Value will depend on many factors, such as markets, access, amount and type of damage, and size and quality of timber.
Standards and procedures normally completed prior to harvesting operations, such as timber volume and value determination, property line establishment and sale regulations, might not be as accurate as those for pre-storm sales. Work with neighbors to establish property boundaries.
Salvage operations require coordination with adjacent landowners and close sale supervision and contracts with reliable companies only, such as those who have completed the Minnesota Logger Education Program.
It is strongly recommended that people have a written contract with anyone who works with the landowner as a consultant or on salvage and reforestation operations. Always make sure they have insurance for the type of work they are undertaking. For salvage operations, the contract should cover timber values and who determines them, scaling method and sale regulations.
How much time do people have before the trees deteriorate and lose economic value?
Timelines for wood deterioration, insect infestation and preventing insect spread to healthy trees:

Pine: The primary concern is pine bark beetle populations that can kill trees directly and introduce blue stain fungus. Damaged jack, white and red pines, pine slash and cut products provide ideal breeding grounds for pine bark beetles. During the spring and early summer, all downed timber, large slash and cut products should be removed, burned, destroyed or debarked within three weeks of the storm to prevent the build-up of bark beetles. Bark beetle populations can build rapidly and kill nearby pines next year, especially during a drought. There are no controls for a bark beetle outbreak. Blue stain can reduce the value of sawtimber by two-thirds, but is not important in pulpwood. Blue stain will be a problem within two to three weeks of the storm for broken off stems and tops and within six weeks in damaged but living trees and stubs (e.g., bowed down or leaning). Use bark beetle prevention methods mentioned above to minimize the occurrence of blue stain in pine sawtimber.
Aspen and red maple: Some value loss will occur in downed timber anytime after the spring of the next year. Major value loss in aspen will happen in unsalvaged stems after two summers.
Oaks: Oak wilt is NOT a concern in northern Minnesota. Quality red oak timber must be harvested by October to maintain maximum sawtimber value.
Do any of my trees have value for wildlife?
Yes, people may consider retaining a few storm-damaged trees (large-diameter reserve trees, mast and cavity trees, snags and coarse woody debris) for wildlife habitat. Species that may benefit are the red-headed, black-backed and three-toed woodpeckers, northern flickers, and several species of bats. Reasons to remove dead trees may include where tree retention is deemed a threat to human health and safety, or where they would interfere with regeneration operations and/or where leaving them would interfere with methods to control insect and disease outbreaks.

Wildlife value of open landscapes - Much of the recent storm damage occurred in the landscapes where young stages of forests are important to many uncommon species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (especially butterfly species). If a complete salvage combined with clear-cut of residual trees is undertaken, consider allowing natural regeneration (new tree growth from natural seed, roots or stumps) to occur.
What are the concerns for streams, ponds and wetlands?
These are natural features that are important habitats for frogs, toads, salamanders, turtles, fish and many invertebrates, as well as for all types of birds. When harvesting, DNR guidelines recommend keeping trees and slash out of all streams, ponds, wetlands and lakes. If there are downed trees in streams, wetlands or ponds, wait until the soil is frozen before moving through these areas with heavy equipment. Until then, travel around these features when skidding wood to the landing.

What concerns should people have about the presence of nonnative or invasive plants or possible invasions after the salvage operation?
Salvaging activities can be beneficial to invasive plants because the forest environment is changed and there is more sunlight, open space and soil disturbance. Prevent new introductions of invasive species by including specifications in the contract stating that the logger must arrive with clean equipment. If invasive plants are already present, it's best to control them prior to the salvage operation. If prior control is not possible, harvest infested areas last so weed seeds are not spread to new areas. Include specifications in contract that require the logger to clean his equipment before leaving property to help protect the next landowner. Ensure rapid re-vegetation of the site by seeding with native plant species. This will help keep any new infestations from moving into the disturbed areas. For information on how to treat existing weed infestations, visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadsides/vegetation/pdf/noxiousweeds.pdf or http://mipncontroldatabase.wisc.edu/.

Can people use some of the salvaged wood for firewood?
Yes, but it is recommended that pine and oak firewood is cut, stacked and tightly tarped. It is likely that by now, insect pests of pine or oak are infesting the firewood. To prevent infestation of nearby healthy trees, burn the firewood prior to April 1 next year or leave the pile tarped until next September when it can then be opened to dry and used thereafter.

Where can people get advice on site preparation and reforestation?
Many tree species regenerate naturally following harvest, including aspen, oak, basswood and maple. Jack, white and red pine may not regenerate naturally. Contact a consultant forester or local DNR forester since salvage harvest methods and timing may limit regeneration options. Evaluate the harvested area after two to three years for supplemental planting that may be needed.

Where can I get seedlings to plant?
The DNR nursery or private nurseries provide seedling stock. The DNR recommends replanting with native species suitable to the site. Contact General Andrews State Nursery 800-657-3767 or http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/nurseries/index.html for advice.

Additional information on forest health care can be found at [url]http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/maintenance/stormdamage-prevention.html.]http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/maintenance/stormdamage-prevention.html.][url]http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/maintenance/stormdamage-prevention.html.                                                                              

 

[deadeye]

They recomend harvesting and cleanup within three-six weeks.  I have gone through some of the blow down areas south and east of Cass Lake.  It would take YEARS to make a dent in the damage.  Worst hit were areas the were select cut within the past 5 years.  These areas are 100% destroyed.  All remaning trees were either uprooted or broken off 20 feet up. 

[glenn57]

lee, thats a lot of good info there, but in the area in which the question was asked if people can use it for firewood presents an issue. my family has a cabin in itasca county and they only allow you to harvest firewood in what they call blowdown areas. means they tell you where you can and cannot cut wood thats not on your property. YES, you can use it for firewood IF  you use it at the site of where the tree blew over. all those trees down................what a waste.

i heard of reports of people getting fined up there for mowing there ditch and more troublesome yet was the plow  road grater guy getting pinch for cutting up a birch tree in his way of work because he took it with himm??????