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FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2
– REFORESTATION
Supplement No.: 2409.17 Chapter 2 2015-1
Effective Date: July 1, 2015
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: LINDA L. JACKSON Date Approved: 6/23/2015
Forest Supervisor
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 title was 2409.17 Chapter 8 dated January 2011.
2409.17 2 2015-1 12 Pages New Document
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
2409.17 2 2011-2
March 3, 2011
12 Pages
Digest:
2.06 – Updated lists references to consult when prescribing regeneration treatments.

R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
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2.06 – References
Below is a listing of references that contain information that should be considered when prescribing regeneration treatments:
 Benzie, John, 1977. Manager’s Handbook for Jack Pine in the North Central States.
USDA Forest Service, GTR NC-32.

Brown, James and Smith, Jane Kapler, 2000. Wildland Fire in Ecosystems: Effects of
Fire on Flora. USDA Forest Service, GTR-42 Vol 2.

Burns, Russell and Honkala, Barbara, 1990. Silvics of North America, Volume 1
Conifers. USDA Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 654.

Burns, Russell and Honkala, Barbara, 1990. Silvics of North America, Volume 2
Hardwoods. USDA Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 654.

Erdmann, Gayne, Crow, Thomas, Peterson, Ralph, Wilson, Curtis, 1987. Managing Black
Ash in the Lake States. USDA Forest Service, GTR NC-115.

Gilmore, Daniel, Palik, Brian, 2006. A Revised Managers Handbook for Red Pine in the
North Central Region. USDA Forest Service, GTR NC-264.

Hutchinson, Jay, 1985. Northern Hardwood Notes (Richard Godman et al.) USDA Forest
Service.

Isebrands, J.G. and Dickson, R.E., 1994. Biology and Silviculture of Northern Red Oak in the North Central Region: A Synopsis. USDA Forest Service, GTR NC-173.

Johnson, Warren and Lyon, Howard, 1991. Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs.
 Johnston, William, 1977. Manager’s Handbook for Black Spruce in the North Central
States. USDA Forest Service, GTR-NC-34.
 Johnston, William, 1977. Manager’s Handbook for Northern White-Cedar in the North
Central States. USDA Forest Service, GTR NC-35.

Katovich, Steven, Mielke, Manfred, 1993. How to Manage Eastern White Pine to
Minimize Damage from Blister Rust and White Pine Weevil. USDA Forest Service, NA-
FR-01-93.

Kern, Christel; Erdmann, Gus; Kenefic, Laura; Palik, Brian; Strong, Terry. 2014.
Development of the selection system in northern hardwood forests of the Lake States: an
80-year silviculture research legacy. In: Hayes, D.C.; Stout, S.L.; Crawford, R.H.;
Hoover, A.P., eds. USDA Forest Service experimental forests and ranges research for the long term. New York, NY: Springer: 201-223.

Perala, Donald, 1977. Manager’s Handbook for Aspen in the North Central States. USDA
Forest Service, GTR NC-36.

Sinclair, Wayne and Lyon, Howard 2005. Diseases of Trees and Shrubs.

Stafford, L.O. 1983. Silvicultural Guide for Paper Birch in the Northeast (Revised).
USDA Forest Service, Research Paper NE-535.
 Tubbs, Carl, 1977. Manager’s Handbook for Northern Hardwoods in the North Central
States. USDA Forest Service, GTR NC-39.

USDA Forest Service, 1974. Seeds of Woody Plants in the United States. Agriculture
Handbook No. 450.

R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
3200
280
280
280
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Most of the above references are available on the Forest Service Research and Development website – www.treesearch.fs.fed.us
. Reference articles can also be obtained through the National
Forest Service Library Website - http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/library/ . The Library will do a literature search upon request. NEPA regulations require that land managers use the “best available science” when making land management decisions. Having the library perform a search
(or doing your own search) and referencing pertinent articles will help meet that requirement.
Silviculturists should maintain a library of articles about silvics and silvicultural practices, and update it as new information becomes available.
2.3 – REFORESTATION PRESCRIPTION
2.31
– Considerations for Reforestation Prescriptions
The following chart should be used to determine the minimum number of trees to meet NFMA stocking requirements. Site specific objectives may require additional stocking to meet desired conditions for the stand. Desired stocking levels for artificial and natural regeneration should be documented in the silvicultural prescription.
Ottawa National Forest – Minimum Stocking Levels
Forest Type
Aspen
Balsam Fir
Hemlock
Jack Pine
Lowland Conifer
Lowland Hardwoods
Northern Hardwoods –
Uneven-aged Mgmt
Minimum Number of Trees
Per Acre of Acceptable
Growing Stock 1 2
3200
280
300
280
420
1000
3,000
Northern Hardwoods –
Even-aged Mgmt
Paper Birch
Red Pine
White Pine
White Spruce
5,000

R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
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1 For a stand to be fully stocked at least 70% of the plots should be stocked with the minimum number of trees per acre of acceptable growing stock trees. In addition, no more than 20% of the plots should be non-stocked.
2
Any native tree species (except ironwood or musclewood) free of severe damage is an acceptable growing stock tree unless specified otherwise in the silvicultural prescription.
2.33 - Natural Regeneration
The following residual crown covers should normally be retained after a shelterwood seed cut:
Species
Yellow birch/hemlock
Average Residual Crown Cover %
60-70
Paper Birch
White Pine
Northern Hardwoods
20-40
40-50
60
Aspen
The recommended parent stand stocking requirements for regeneration to aspen are at least 50 aspen trees per acre (20 sq. ft. basal area/acre).
Generally, aspen harvest and aspen site preparation can be completed during any time of the year.
When regenerating aspen from a parent stand with sparse aspen stocking, or when higher stem densities are desired, harvest and site preparation should be scheduled during late fall and winter conditions. Harvest in aspen cutting units should be completed within two growing seasons.
In order to encourage aspen sprouting after clearcutting the residual crown cover of trees 2 inches and larger in diameter should be less than 5 % unless additional trees are desired to meet other resource objectives.
Paper Birch
The shelterwood removal cut to remove the residual overstory is generally done after seedlings are established and a minimum of 3200 well-spaced seedlings per acre are obtained.
Fifty percent or more of mineral soil should be exposed in site preparation activities. Use fire or methods such as a small dozer with a blade, disking, disk trenching, or anchor chaining to incorporate surface organic and mineral soil and reduce undesired competition.
Northern Hardwood
The shelterwood removal cut to remove residual overstories should generally occur after seedlings are established and a minimum of 5,000 well-spaced seedlings per acre are obtained.

R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
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Canopy gaps in selection harvests provide for within stand diversity and natural regeneration of tree species. The gap size should be based on the desired species to regenerate and the length of the reentry period. Canopy gaps should be 30 to 100 feet in diameter. Canopy gaps of 30 feet and less will favor the regeneration of sugar maple. Canopy gaps of 60 feet and more will favor the regeneration of mid tolerant hardwood species. Where raspberry has a tendency to dominate the site (generally the southern end of the Ottawa), canopy gaps should be less than 60 feet in diameter. Additional treatments such as cleaning may be required to remove suppressed trees from the canopy gaps after timber harvest.
Lowland Hardwood
For lowland hardwood stands and mixed lowland hardwood/conifer stands, regenerate on a caseby case basis because of variable stand and site conditions.
The shelterwood removal cut should be done in the winter with snow cover to protect against seedling damage.
Site preparation is generally limited to removal of unmerchantable trees (culls) and trees of poor form or quality.
White Pine
Fencing or other protective measures may be necessary to protect seedlings from deer browsing until trees reach sufficient height.
Two or three releases are sometimes necessary to establish white pine on other forest types.
Under a shelterwood, 8-15 year old white pine should be growing a minimum of 15 inches in height per year. If growing less they likely require more light and additional tree removal may be necessary. Defer the shelterwood removal cut until regeneration is at least 20 feet tall to minimize weevil damage
.
White Spruce
After a shelterwood harvest in areas of frost danger, a light overstory may be retained until the reproduction is 12 to 20 feet in height.
Conduct the removal cut after regeneration is established, which is usually 5 to 10 years after the shelterwood seed cut.
Maintain white spruce as a component in other stands. Avoid regeneration of pure white spruce stands due to spruce decline concerns.
Hemlock
Hemlock stands were classified as unsuitable for timber production in the 2006 Forest Plan because successful regeneration could not be ensured.

R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
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Regeneration of hemlock stands can be done to meet other resource objectives. However, fencing or some other protective measures are usually needed to protect against deer browsing.
Lowland Conifer
For lowland conifer stands or mixed lowland conifer/hardwood stands, regenerate on a case-by case basis because of variable stand and site conditions. Soil-site investigations will be made for each planned treatment and for monitoring vegetative response to treatment. Fencing or some other protective measures are usually needed to protect against deer browsing.
2.5 – SITE PREPARATION
Site preparation is often the most crucial element in achieving successful natural and artificial regeneration. Site preparation methods should be described in the reforestation prescription.
Mechanical or hand treatments are used most often, but prescribed fire should be considered where appropriate. The following chart gives some recommendations for site preparation for several forest types. Many species require mineral soil to be exposed for seedlings to become established, but it is also usually important to retain course woody debris for site and seedling protection.
Forest Type
Aspen
Hemlock
Jack Pine
Northern
Hardwoods
Northern Red
Oak
Site Prep Objectives
- Soil scarification other than from logging operation generally not needed.
- Cut undesirable unmerchantable trees to maximize sunlight and stimulate sprouting
- Soil scarification is often needed to incorporate humus and mineral soil.
- Scarify 50-75% of the area.
- May also need to reduce advanced sugar maple regeneration.
-Break up slash concentrations and ensure slash and cones are well distributed across the site
- Remove unmerchantable trees by running over with equipment during logging or site prep operations, or by felling
- Expose bare mineral soil on 50-75% of the area
- Soil scarification other than from logging operation generally not needed to regenerate sugar maple.
- Soil scarification may be necessary to regenerate mid-tolerant hardwood species. Scarify 50-75% of the area.
- Soil scarification is often needed to incorporate humus and mineral soil.
Timing
Year round but before the second growing season after final harvest. Late fall or winter is best in sparsely stocked stands.
Before or after the regeneration harvest, after leaf fall, in conjunction with a good seed crop within two growing seasons.
After final harvest and before cones open
Before or after the regeneration harvest, after leaf fall, in conjunction with a good seed crop within two growing seasons.
Before or after the regeneration harvest, after

R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
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Paper Birch
White Pine
Yellow Birch
- Scarify 50-75% of the area.
- Scalping may be necessary when planting seedlings in heavy sod.
- Soil scarification is generally needed to incorporate humus and mineral soil.
- Expose 50% or more of the mineral soil
- Soil scarification is often needed to incorporate humus and mineral soil.
- Scarify 50-75% of the area.
- Reduce advanced sugar maple regeneration.
- Scalping may be necessary when planting seedlings in heavy sod.
- Soil scarification is often needed to incorporate humus and mineral soil.
- Scarify 50-75% of the area.
- Reduce advanced sugar maple regeneration. leaf fall, in conjunction with a good acorn crop within two growing seasons
Before or after the regeneration harvest, after leaf fall, in conjunction with a good seed crop within two growing seasons
Before or after the regeneration harvest, after leaf fall, in conjunction with a good seed crop within two growing seasons
Before or after the regeneration harvest, after leaf fall, in conjunction with a good seed crop within two growing seasons
2.9 – REFORESTATION AND SURVEYS AND MONITORING
2.93 – Stocking Surveys
Natural regeneration stocking surveys should be done by the fifth growing season after final harvest to determine if the stand can be certified as stocked. If the stand is not fully stocked additional treatments should be scheduled to bring the stand to full stocking. When full stocking is evident, a walk through survey is sufficient. When full stocking is uncertain, random fixed plots should be taken.
Plantation stocking surveys should be done after the third growing season to determine if the plantation can be certified as stocked. Random plots should be taken and designed to sample all planted and natural species, and varying site conditions. Generally the plantation stocking survey is done in conjunction with the third year survival survey. If the stand is not fully stocked additional treatments should be scheduled to bring the stand to full stocking.
2.94 – Staked Tree Survival Surveys
Fixed plots with individually staked trees will be established immediately after planting to provide tree survival data for the annual plantation survival report. A fixed plot size should be used where an average of 6-10 trees per plot can be sampled. The plots will be inspected after the first and third growing seasons to determine the percentage of trees surviving and to determine

R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
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Page 8 of 13 the causes of mortality. Data will be entered in FACTS in order to process the year end survival report.
The survey should be designed to sample at least one percent of the total number of each species planted over varying site conditions. Generally a minimum of 25 trees and a maximum of 100 trees on each plantation should be sampled.
The following forms and tatum guides in Exhibits 2.94 – 1 through 4 can be used to document plantation survival.

R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
2.94 - Exhibit 01
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R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
2.94 - Exhibit 02
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R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
2.94 - Exhibit 02 (continued)
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R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
2.94 – Exhibit 02 (continued)
Tatum Guide
Status Codes are:
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R9 OTTAWA SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER 2 – REFORESTATION
2.94 Exhibit 02 (continued)
Tatum Guide
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