2409.17, 8
Page 1 of 7
FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
EASTERN REGION (REGION 9)
MILWAUKEE, WI
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 8 – SILVICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS, PRESCRIPTIONS, AND
EVALUATIONS
Supplement No.: R9 RO 2409.17-2012-1
Effective Date: February 23, 2012
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: CHARLES L. MYERS
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 02/22/2012
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to
this Handbook was 2409.17-2011-2 to 2409.17_8.
New Document
R9 RO 2409.17-2012-1
7 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
R9 RO 2409.17-2011-2
2 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
8.3 – Exhibit 01 replaced with an updated version
8.5 – Exhibit 02 item 7 clarifies modeling length required for uneven-aged management
8.5 – Exhibit 06 reissues this supplement with updates to the list of Certified Silviculturists
R9 RO SUPPLEMENT 2409.17-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/22/2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
2409.17, 8
Page 2 of 7
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 8 – SILVICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS, PRESCRIPTIONS, AND EVALUATIONS
8.3 Exhibit 01
Silvicultural Certification Project Paper Contents List
http://fsweb.r9.fs.fed.us/departments/rr/silviculture/
EASTERN REGION, <> NATIONAL FOREST
SILVICULTURAL PRESCRIPTION
NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT
PROJECT NAME
PU
COMP/STAND
STAND INFORMATION
Ranger
District
Acres
MA
LTA
ELTP
Habitat
Type
Cover
Type
LSC
Year of
Origin
Size
Density
Site
Index
Soil
Type
%
Slope
STAND DESCRIPTION (cut and paste from FSVEG report 26)
EXISTING STAND CONDITION - BA and/or TPA/AC BY SPECIES
DBH Range
Species1
Species2
Species3
Species4
Species5
Other
Total
Percent Slope
Describe the exiting stand condition (some Items to include are listed below)
 Forest type
 Stocking
 Composition (species and size class)
 Management History
 Site quality
 Existing regeneration

Other resource (ie trails, nests, dens, archeological sites)

If prescribed burning, add existing fuel loads.
DESIRED CONDITION
Example narrative
 The stand is a northern hardwood/hemlock uneven-aged stand with high structural diversity.
 Sugar maple is the dominant hardwood species, accounting for about 75% of the hdwd BA, but mid-tolerants
such as yellow birch, white ash, and basswood are common, making up about 25% of the hdwd BA.
 Hemlock is a major component in the stand and is successfully regenerating.
 The trees in the stand are growing at an optimum rate and are resilient to insect and disease attacks.
 The stand contains an average of 2-3 snags/ac over 18” DBH and 3-4 down logs/ac over 12”.
 If prescribed burning, add desired fuel loads.
R9 RO SUPPLEMENT 2409.17-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/22/2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
2409.17, 8
Page 3 of 7
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 8 – SILVICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS, PRESCRIPTIONS, AND EVALUATIONS
8.3 Exhibit 01—Continued
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES
(Forest Plan/NEPA/Project/Stand)
Example narrative






Improve the health, growth, and quality of the residual trees by reducing stand density and thinning out
diseased and poor-formed trees.
Increase regeneration of mid-tolerant hardwoods and hemlock.
Provide timber products to local operators
If RX burn, clearly describe objectives and measures of success here and in burn plan.
Describe desired species composition and steps needed to achieve.
If reforestation treatment might take more than 5 years to successfully implement, identify steps to ensure
minimum stocking within 5 years as required by NFMA (see table below)
LONG TERM OBJECTIVES
(Forest Plan/NEPA/Project/Stand).
Example narrative
 Move the stand towards a balanced age class distribution over the next 2-3 entries.
 Use uneven-aged mgmt to increase structure, function, and composition in the stand.
 Obtain regeneration on each entry to fully stock the stand with a balance of different age classes.
 Recruit potential snags and down logs
 Maintain visual quality along the North Country Trail
 Provide timber products to local operators
 If RX burn, clearly describe objectives and measures of success here and in burn plan.
 If reforestation treatment might take more than 5 years to successfully implement, document required series
of treatments needed to change current stand structure and composition to one that meets management
goals
 Identify intermediate treatments and logical rotation
REMARKS
Examples of items to include in narrative:
 Access requirements (existing roads, temp roads, unit layout/skid pattern,
 Salvage component if applicable and why
 Juxtaposition to OG, RNA, W&SR etc
MINIMUM STOCKING REQUIRED FOR NFMA
 Current stand is typed as XXX,
 NFMA stocking requirements are met if XXX TPA of commercial species is present within 5 years (site source,
i.e. existing forest handbook supplements, forest plans or other documented standards.
 Meets requirements as outlined on R9 supplement FSH 2409.17-2008-2 (Certified Stocked Stands, pg 97)
R9 RO SUPPLEMENT 2409.17-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/22/2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
2409.17, 8
Page 4 of 7
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 8 – SILVICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS, PRESCRIPTIONS, AND EVALUATIONS
8.3 Exhibit 01—Continued
DESIGN CRITERIA AND MITIGATION MEASURES




Soil/Watershed
Wildlife
Scenery
Prescribed Burn (If prescribed burning, add design criteria for burn that relate to forest health, quality of
residual stand, and desired stocking.)
MARKING GUIDE: (example)
Name of Treatment - Single
Tree Selection
Residual BA/Ac
Q-Factor
Species Priority
 Favor mid-tolerants (b cherry, y birch, basswood, ash) over s maple.
 Don’t cut any hemlock unless they interfere with logging operations.
 Cut all merchantable ironwood.
Leave tree Priority
 Try to maintain the number of trees/acre by diameter class as listed in
the adjacent chart. However always leave the healthiest and bestformed trees regardless of species or diameter class.
 Thin to an average 70 BA. Stocking can be higher in hemlock groups.
 Crown release mid-tolerant crop trees on at least 3 sides.
Canopy Gaps
 Establish 2-3 canopy gaps/ac. approx. 50 to 60 feet in diameter.
 Locate gaps in areas where stem quality is poor, or where there are
good potential mid-tolerant seed trees.
Estimated Treatment Acres – 52
(Traversed acres if available)
Size
Class
5-8
9-12
13-16
17-20
21+
Desired
TPA
40
27
18
12
0
Existing
TPA
80
60
30
20
3
Excess
TPA
40
33
12
8
3
POST HARVEST TREATMENTS
FACTS Code
Name of Treatment
Prescription
ACTIVITIES SUMMARY
Year
0
1
2
3
5
5
15
XX
FACTS Code
Name of Treatment
XXXX
Prepared by:
Title:
Date:
Reviewed by:
Title:
Date:
Approved by:
Title: Certified Silviculturist
Date:
Include a MAP
Trees to
Mark
1 of 2
1 of 2
1 of 3
1 of 3
All
R9 RO SUPPLEMENT 2409.17-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/22/2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
2409.17, 8
Page 5 of 7
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 8 – SILVICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS, PRESCRIPTIONS, AND EVALUATIONS
8.5 Exhibit 02
Silvicultural Certification Project Paper Contents List
7. Preferred Treatment Recommendation. Implementation of the preferred treatment
should be adequately described so that the sequence of treatments, treatment specifics, and
disciplines or specialties involved is clear. This should be through the rotation period for evenaged systems and for uneven-aged systems through the number of cutting cycles necessary to
achieve the desired condition.
8.5 - Exhibit 06
Certified Silviculturists in Region 9
A Certified Silviculturist must prepare or review and approve the prescription for each new or
revised reforestation project, stand improvement project, timber sale, prescribed burn, restoration
or other vegetation management project that affects or will result in forested stands.
A list of individuals that are currently Certified Silviculturists and are authorized to prepare or
review silvicultural treatment prescriptions within the Eastern Region can be found at
http://fsweb.r9.fs.fed.us/departments/rr/silviculture/
It is the responsibility of individuals and their supervisors to be aware of the expiration date of
the certification and to plan for continuation when needed.
FULL NAME
LOCATION
Andrea Hille
Allegheny NF
CERTIFIED
THROUGH 12/31
2015
Jerry Jordan
Allegheny NF
2014
John Lee
Allegheny NF
2014
Mike Spisak
Allegheny NF
2014
Dan Hinson
Chequamegon/Nicolet NF
2014
John Lampereur
Chequamegon/Nicolet NF
2013
Doug Leyva
Chequamegon/Nicolet NF
2016
Robert MacGregor
Chequamegon/Nicolet NF
2014
Robert Raade
Chequamegon/Nicolet NF
2014
Carrie Sweeney
Chequamegon/Nicolet NF
2013
Jedd Ungrodt
Chequamegon/Nicolet NF
2016
R9 RO SUPPLEMENT 2409.17-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/22/2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
2409.17, 8
Page 6 of 7
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 8 – SILVICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS, PRESCRIPTIONS, AND EVALUATIONS
FULL NAME
LOCATION
Jerry VanCleve
Chequamegon/Nicolet NF
CERTIFIED
THROUGH 12/31
2013
Linda Burke
Chippewa NF
2015
Audrey Gustafson
Chippewa NF
2015
Rosemary Johnson
Chippewa NF
2015
Travis Jones
Chippewa NF
2016
Sharon Klinkhammer
Chippewa NF
2013
Gary Swanson
Chippewa NF
2015
Christopher Casey
Green Mountain NF
2013
Jay Klink
Green Mountain NF
2014
Marjorie Allmaras
Hiawatha NF
2015
Tim Baker
Hiawatha NF
2015
Gerred Carothers
Hiawatha NF
2013
Lauri LaBumbard
Hiawatha NF
2015
Chris Thornton
Hoosier NF
2014
Karlis Lazda
Huron/Manistee NF
2015
Matthew Sands
Huron/Manistee NF
2014
Kim Bittle
Mark Twain NF
2015
John Bryan
Mark Twain NF
2013
Jack Courtenay
Mark Twain NF
2013
Rawly Gorman
Mark Twain NF
2013
Beth Hardman
Mark Twain NF
2013
Jason Loos
Mark Twain NF
2013
David Massengale
Mark Twain NF
2015
Scot Robinson
Mark Twain NF
2015
Michael Stevens
Mark Twain NF
2015
Charles Studyvin
Mark Twain NF
2013
R9 RO SUPPLEMENT 2409.17-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/22/2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
2409.17, 8
Page 7 of 7
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 8 – SILVICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS, PRESCRIPTIONS, AND EVALUATIONS
FULL NAME
LOCATION
Jane Bard
Monongahela NF
CERTIFIED
THROUGH 12/31
2014
Jeff Kochenderfer
Monongahela NF
2014
Kevin Taylor
Monongahela NF
2014
Christel Kern
NRS
2014
Ted Frank
Ottawa NF
2015
Len Scuffham
Ottawa NF
2013
Dave Steffensen
Ottawa NF
2015
Carol Young
Ottawa NF
2015
Bill Nightingale
RO
2016
Erica Hahn
Superior NF
2013
David Hernandez
Superior NF
2013
Chad Kirschbaum
Superior NF
2013
Myra Theimer
Superior NF
2015
Charles Cutter
TEAMS
2014
Quentin McNichols
TEAMS
2014
Michael Maguire
White Mountain NF
2015
Jeff J. Williams
White Mountain NF
2013
Rod Wilson
White Mountain NF
2015