2409.12_70
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
SUPERIOR NF (REGION 9)
DULUTH, MN
FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 70 – DESIGNATING TIMBER FOR CUTTING
Supplement No.: R9 Superior 2409.12-2011-2
Effective Date: April 13, 2011
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: JAMES W. SANDERS
Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 4/13/2011
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 2409.12-2011-1 to Chapter 10.
New Document
R9 Superior 2409.12-2011-2
3 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
R9 Superior 2409.12-2009-1
October 9, 2009
3 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
71.21 – Revises paint patterns to be used for timber marking.
72.12 – Describes the individuals responsible for tracer paint security.
R9 SUPERIOR SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/13/2011
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
2409.12_70
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FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 70 – DESIGNATING TREES FOR CUTTING
71.21 – Marking with Paint
The major objective in the application and placement of paint on a tree is to be clearly visible to
a harvesting equipment operator. All painted trees will include stump marks. The following
standard paint colors are established for use on all timber sale preparation projects:
1. RED – Use only for marking true property boundaries between confirmed GLO survey
corners or re-surveyed corners, and when lines are surveyed to National standards.
2. ORANGE – Use for marking payment unit boundaries, sale area subdivisions such as
Protected Areas, and reserve trees.
a) Payment Unit Boundaries - Exterior boundaries will be designated with three
orange vertical spots, facing into the sale area between 5 and 8 feet up the face of the
tree. In addition, paint one spot on each side of the tree facing toward the adjacent
boundary tree.
b) Protected Areas– Protected Areas will be designated with three orange vertical
spots, facing into the sale area between 5 and 8 feet up the face of the tree. In
addition, paint one spot on each side of the tree facing toward the adjacent boundary
trees. In addition “PA” will be painted on an occasional tree (particularly on corners
in the line) at DBH, to avoid confusion with sale area boundaries.
c) Leave Tree Mark - Paint a band around the bole of the tree between 5 and 7 feet up
the face of the tree. Tree markings will include stump marks to designate trees not to
be cut in Leave Tree Marked (LTM) units. The intent is to ensure that the tree is
clearly identified from all directions.
d) Reserve Trees - Paint a band around the bole of the tree, between 5 and 8 feet up the
face of the tree, with an “R” painted directly under the band. Tree markings will
include stump marks to designate trees not to be cut. The intent is to ensure that the
tree is clearly identified from all directions.
3. YELLOW – Use to designate trees to be cut. When appropriate and with approval of the
Forest Supervisor, an alternative paint color may be used. See the Forest’s Timber Theft
Prevention Plan for further direction.
a) Cut Tree Mark (CTM) payment units - Paint a band around the bole of the tree at a
height of 5 to 7 feet. The intent is to ensure that the tree is clearly identified from all
directions.
R9 SUPERIOR SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/13/2011
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
2409.12_70
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FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 70 – DESIGNATING TREES FOR CUTTING
b) Skid Trails - In first entry thinning, trails shall be laid out in advance. Trails should
be as straight as ground conditions permit, and 12 feet to 14 feet wide; at least 14 feet
when skidding downhill. Skid trails will be marked with “X’s” on both sides of the
tree.
All stump marks will be made so the mark is below stump height and continues onto the ground.
Stump marks should be concentrated in the crevices on the downhill side of the tree. Apply
stump marks to areas free of moss and lichens.
Paint retention will be monitored by the timber sale administrator. When the paint shows signs
of fading or aging, or has been obliterated for any reason, the trees or boundary should be
repainted as soon as practical. If this occurs at or after an extension of the timber sale, the
purchaser will bear the cost of repainting (BT8.23).
72.12 – Tracer Paint Security
District Rangers will assign paint security duties to the appropriate district person via official
Delegations of Authority or Responsibility letters (file code 1230). Paint Officers will perform
all required Paint Custodian and Paint Property Manager duties.
Paint Custodians and Paint Property Managers are responsible for tracer paint security,
inventory, audit and reconciliation per WO direction.
Within 30 days of the end of each quarter, Paint Property Managers will summarize the results of
the audit of the Tracer Tree Marking Issue and Inventory Records, including what measures were
taken to reconcile discrepancies. The results of the audit will be reported to the Forest
Supervisor through the Timber Sale Contracting Officer.