FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
HOMESTEAD PARK PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
North Fork Associates, LP
2686 South Yukon Court
Lakewood, Colorado 80227
LOCATION
Fifty-three acres in a portion of the NW 1/4, Section 33, T5S, R70W, 6th PM
Between US 285 and Iowa Gulch/Cinch Road
Conifer, Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County PIN #50-332-04-013 and #50-332-04-014
Prepared by:
Wildland Resources
Steven W. Deitemeyer, CF, ACF
3724 Union Court
Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033
Phone: 303-456-0799
Prepared for:
Fine Line Consulting, Inc.
584 South Race Street
Denver, Colorado 80209
Phone 3030282-9622
January 12, 2015
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II. Table of Contents
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Title Page
Table of Contents
Objectives
General Description/Location
A. Climate
B. Current and Historical Use
C. Impact of Community
D. Social / Economic
E. Insects and Disease
F. Fire Hazard
G. Noxious Weeds
H. Wildlife
I. Threatened and Endangered Species
J. Unique Qualities of Property
K. Archeology and Cultural Sites
Inventory
Cruise Plot Summary
Management Units and Treatments
Appendix
Consultant Information
Bibliography of References
General Location Map
Aerial Photo
Topographic Map
Vegetation Type and Soils Map
Management Unit Map
Stand Type Photos
Glossary
Jefferson County T&E List
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III. OBJECTIVES
North Fork Associates, LP, of Lakewood, Colorado is proposing re-zoning and development of
Homestead Park in Jefferson County, Colorado. A Forest Management Plan is desired in order
to provide a strategy for forests and vegetation on this property to achieve the following
objectives:
1. To decrease the potential for stand replacing, destructive wildfires that could impact
the lives, open space, private property, home and structures of potential residents.
2. To use “Fire-Wise” building and construction materials and techniques to reduce the
potential for damage to residential properties.
3. To render the forests less prone to insect and disease attacks, and to enhance the
general forest health.
4. To achieve multi-resource management goals for enhancing scenic, landscape,
recreation and wildlife habitats for the enjoyment of landowners and their visitors.
Desired Future Condition: Resident owners of Homestead Park are managing their properties
by applying defensible space standards, “Firewise Landscaping and Construction” techniques,
and fire and fuel mitigation measures to reduce the risks of catastrophic fire while enhancing
property values through managing soil, wildlife, scenery, and recreation resources.
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IV.
General Description
This property includes two parcels (Jefferson County, CO PIN’s 50-332-04-013 and 50-332-04014) totaling 53 acres in the NW ¼ of Section 33, T5S, R70W, 6th PM, Jefferson County,
Colorado. It is situated along the south side of US Highway 285 and Iowa Gulch in the
Homestead Development neighborhood about 5 miles southwest of Morrison and 5 miles
northeast of Aspen Park. Access in by Iowa Gulch Road and Cinch Road.
The property has a generally northwest aspect, with some interior east and west facing slopes.
It is a part of Colorado’s Front Range and within the Foothills ecological zone. This zone is
characterized by Douglas-fir forests on north facing slopes and ponderosa pine/mixed conifer
forests on west and south facing slopes. Some associated aspen stands and blue spruce occur
on the property. Managed mountain meadows (mowed for hay) dissect the property including
a riparian wet meadow with two augmentation ponds along Iowa Gulch. There is a spring and
drainage to Iowa Gulch originating and then running through the lower part of the meadow in
the middle of the property.
There are six different soil types within this unit including the Grimstone, Kittredge, Rogert and
Troutdale series. Locations of these soil series have been mapped. See Appendix. Generally
these soils are moderately well drained and permeable, but because of the steepness in this
area there a subject to erosion if not kept vegetated.
This Homestead property is included within the Jefferson County Community Planning Zone of
the “Conifer-285 Corridor Area Plan”. This property has been rated under this plan as having a
“Medium” wildfire hazard and of “Moderate” wildlife quality. These are resources of concern
for the owner and they are reflected in their statement of priority objectives for the
development this plan.
A. Climatic Characteristics
The climate is sub-humid, a climate intermediate between semi-arid and humid. Sufficient
precipitation is obtained to support a moderate growth of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir on
the north and east aspects, and a more open ponderosa pine type on drier ridges and west
facing slopes. At an elevation of approximately 7400 feet, the total annual precipitation is
about 18 inches. Of this, 79 percent usually falls between April and September. The average
seasonal snowfall is about 95 inches, much of which evaporates and thus not available for plant
production. The average daily temperature in winter is about 28℉, the average daily summer
temperature is about 61°F. The property is in a drier foothills zone where available
precipitation is critical and a limiting factor for forest health and growth in these forests. The
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climate is very near the semi-arid region, drought cycles have a pronounced effect on forest
health, productivity and fire susceptibility.
B.
Current and Historical Land Use
This property is located in the front range of Colorado, and its land use mirrors the history of
the associated small, rural communities who were once dependent on local natural resources.
This property has been a part of the mountain ranching and grazing industry, and the evidence
of old stumps suggests that past timber harvest supported the local needs of area mines,
railroads, building construction and firewood needs. The mowing and baling of hay continues
today on the meadows within this ownership. Some years ago there was a small local ski lift
and runs developed on the meadow area of this property.
The surrounding mountain development of full time, year-around homes on forested lots has
transitioned over time from old ranches and recreation cabins. Roads have been developed and
access has been improved to allow these residents to commute daily to nearby jobs. Improved
standard roads in the area have also allowed for better access by emergency, first responders,
fire personnel and their equipment.
Current use of this property is essentially as an undeveloped open space, with some haying
opportunities. It also contains a power transmission line and corridor, and two ponds as part of
a water augmentation plan for the area.
C. Impact on Neighbors and Surrounding Neighbors
Property owners in this area share a mountain, rural community life-style. Forest Management
activities are common in this neighborhood and nearby mountain home sub-divisions. Local
residents work on issues and projects associated with reducing fire risks, appropriate and safe
access to property, combating insect and disease issues, noxious weeds, and attempting to
upgrade their small acreages to achieve healthy landscapes and habitats. Prescribed and
implemented forest management plans and fire and fuel mitigation plans with their associated
logging and hauling activities should not cause a concern for neighbors or people in nearby
communities.
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D. Social, Economic and Market Conditions
Forest management activities on this property will produce some forest products as a result of
applying prescriptions for fuel reduction, thinning, shaded fuel break development, and
implementation of defensible space to help meet management objectives. Eventual lot owners
or a homeowner’s association will have to generate resources to pay for and manage these
forest management and habitat improvements. Costs will vary with time and the availability
and ability of owners to do their own work as opposed to contractor costs for time and
equipment.
There are a few wood product buyers around, but they may be available and competitive if
quantities, prices and costs can be worked out. Products may include house logs, saw logs,
firewood, posts and poles, Christmas trees, boughs, transplants, and wood chips. Some
operations like pruning or mastication maybe appropriate, but may not generate any
commercial amount of product. Some local retailers and neighbors may have the need for
firewood, fencing material, small dimensional timbers and might be available to buy or trade
work for the products they need.
E. Summary of Insect and Disease Presence
Historically dense and overstocked stands and fire suppression over the years have rendered
the forests on this property more susceptible to insect epidemics and disease. There is much
evidence in the Douglas-fir stands on this property to previous western spruce budworm
infestations. The dominant Douglas-fir trees show a considerable amount of adventitious
branching throughout the entire length of the canopy. There is a significant amount of
Douglas-fir reproduction under these stands especially in openings created by Douglas-fir
mortality and blowdown. There is no evidence of a current problem with spruce bud worm.
There is some evidence of mountain pine beetle infestation with stumps and salvage on the
property, but there was no evidence of a current infestation. Dwarf mistletoe infestation is
minimal.
During the cruise phase of this plan’s development, tree core samples were taken to determine
age of dominant trees, and there was no indication of any heart rot in either the Douglas-fir or
ponderosa pine sample trees.
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Aspen stands are decadent, and in the need of release and regeneration. Overall the forested
stands on this property reflect the condition similar to many forests in the Front Range, overstocked and in need to thin and to reduce stocking levels to achieve better vigor and reduce risk
of insects and disease, and catastrophic fire.
F. Fire Hazard
This 53 acre property is within the Conifer-285 Planning Corridor Plan. It has been identified as
having moderate to high risks and is within the “Red Zone” Interface area of the Inter-Canyon
Fire Protection District. The Colorado Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal data shows this property
within a Class 4, Moderate-High Intensity area characterized by large flames up to 30 feet with
possibility of short range spotting. There is significant potential for harm to life and property.
There are three fuel models represented on this property according to the “Anderson, “Aids to
Determining Fuels Models for Estimating Fire Behavior” system. They correspond to the
vegetative types present: Meadow, Douglas-fir and mixed conifer.
The meadows on this Homestead tract would be within Fire Behavior Model 1 of the Grass
Group. Fire spread is governed by the fine, very porous and continuous nature of these fuels.
Fires are surface fires and would move rapidly through cured grass and associated materials.
There is about an acre within this grassland meadow type above and aroound the adjudication
ponds that have filled in with cattails and would respond to fire only when dry and cured out.
The mixed conifer acreage would fall within Fire Behavior Fuel Model 2 where the ponderosa
pine stands are more open with a grass understory. Fire spread is primarily through the fine
herbaceous fuels, either curing or dead. These are surface fires where fine fuels, litter and
dead and down slash contribute to fire intensity.
The Douglas-fir type, on the north facing slopes of this property would be considered under Fire
Behavior Fuel Model 10, old growth type Douglas-fir stands with medium heavy ground fuels.
The fires in this type burn in the surface and ground fuels with greater intensity. There is
blowdown over 3 inches in diameter on the ground under this stand some of which has
resulted from the loss of western spruce bud worm trees from years ago. In addition, there is a
lot of dense Douglas-fir reproduction, including seedling and saplings, under a mature over
story in this type that would be considered ladder fuels and contribute to a behavior of
crowning out, spotting and torching of individual trees.
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G. Noxious Weeds
During the field inventory time of this plan’s preparation the consultant did not find any
noxious weeds. It is usual and it would be expected to find thistle or knapweed along disturbed
road sides, but none was noted during the early January field review period with snow covered
landscapes. The owners are aware of their responsibilities to manage and control noxious
weeds.
H. Wildlife Species
This Homestead property is located within the foothills zone at an elevation of about 7400 feet
west of the metro-Denver area. Highways, roads and mountain home sub-development have
impacted quality wildlife habitat to some degree. However, Jefferson County recognizes this
area as having medium wildlife quality habitats. The mosaic of vegetative patterns on this
property lends a diversity of habitat types to help accommodate local wildlife needs. There was
evidence of mule deer, cottontail rabbit, pine squirrel, and Steller’s jay use during the January
period of field inventory. It would be expected that elk and occasionally black bear would use
the area. The meadows provide good foraging and browsing habitats and the dense Douglas-fir
type provides good thermal and escape cover for deer and elk. Local knowledge suggests that
the larger elk herds stay to the north of the US 285 corridor in this area.
I. Threatened and Endangered Species
A review was made of the Colorado Rare Plant Guide, Colorado Natural Heritage Program, and
the USDI FWS Ecological Service T&E lists, and the Jefferson County Rare Plant Guide for plants
and animals that are currently listed as threatened or endangered. No known plant, fish or
animal on these lists were found or identified during the January 2015 field work in the
preparation of this plan. See the included Appendix for a complete Jefferson County list of T &
E species. Because of the nature of the grassland meadows and habitats on this property there
is a probability that two T & E species may occur on this property.
The potential occurrence maps for the Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse over lay this property,
hence there is probability that this species may occur in the lower, wetter, grassy meadow
portions on the property. Because the area also generally lies within the South Platte
watershed there is a probability that the Pawnee Montane Skipper may occur here. Monitoring
of these species and their potential use of this property may be necessary based on Jefferson
County process guidelines for consultation.
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J. Unique Qualities of Property
This property is located within easy commuting distance from the Denver metropolitan area
and nearby mountain communities. The property affords and interesting combination of
landscapes and vegetation types that lends itself to recreation and open space opportunities,
like hiking, cross country skiing and nature study.
K. Known Archeological or Cultural Sites
There are no known archeological or cultural sites on this property, and none were identified
during the field inventory process of plan preparation. Historically, there was a small ski lift
located here that allowed locals to ski when snow was present. A concrete base pad still exists
to help identify the site.
V. Inventory
The cruise for this Forest Management Plan was designed to sample the forest types on this
property to be able to characterize them and describe existing and potential fire, insect and
disease risks that would contribute to fire and fuel mitigation needs to reduce risks. The entire
property was walked and stand typing was completed. Ten cruise plots were taken, six in the
Douglas-fir type and four in the mixed conifer type. An additional 1/20 acre plot was taken to
determine the density and stocking of post and pole stands in the mix conifer type.
Cruise sheets were used to document tree species, dominant tree height and age, tree
diameters, basal area, and defect. Notes were also taken to record associated under story
species, reproduction estimates, ground fuel accumulations, and wildlife signs.
Douglas-fir Stand Type Description
The Douglas-fir stands are on north facing cooler, wetter hill sides on 5% to 90% slopes. These
stands are primarily on the Grimstone-Peeler-Rock outcrop soil series. The dominant Douglasfir trees are 120-200 years old, averaging 156 years old and a 17 inch diameter. Site index is 52,
relatively low for this species.
These stands are overstocked at an average of 123 basal area. The over story trees average 13
inches DBH with 1-2 logs (16’) height. Ponderosa pine and some blue spruce are a part of this
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type, but are generally dominated by the Douglas-fir type. There is no ponderosa pine
reproduction in the understory.
Many of the older over story trees show the effects of the old western spruce budworm attack
in this area with partial recovery by dense, adventitious branching. Douglas-fir mortality is also
observable in these stands as evidence by blowdown and heavy reproduction in the remaining
created openings. Fuel loading is heaviest on the forest floor in these stands. Because of
canopy closure and shading, there are very few forbs or grasses present. Oregon grape and
common juniper have established in some area.
There was an average of 33 Douglas-fir seedlings per sample plot indicating about 600 seedlings
per acre. Average board foot per acre was 10,741 board feet for this 27 acre forest type on the
property, or approximately 285,710 board feet standing volume.
This stand shows evidence of old logging and fire as evidenced by old stumps and charring.
Mixed conifer Stand Type Description
The mixed conifer type includes a more open-growing ponderosa pine type with Douglas-fir and
some suppressed aspen on the south and west facing, more gentle slopes. Soil types tend to be
within the Troutdale, Kittredge, and the shallower sloped Grimstone series in the 5%-50%
range.
Dominant ponderosa pine trees in this type averaged 121 years old with an average 17 inch
diameter breast height and 73 feet tall. Site index for ponderosa pine here was 65, a relative
good growing site. The average plot had a basal area of 135, tree diameter of 15 inches with
about 1 ½ logs, indicating an overstocked stocked. Average volume per acre was 15,783 board
feet, indicating a standing volume for this type of about 189,396 board feet on twelve acres.
This stand is typical of ponderosa pine in being more clumpy and open. The forest floor is
needle covered, but there are more forbs, grasses and brush in the understory as the canopies
are more open, resulting in more wildlife use.
These stands have been entered by fuel wood cutters and show much less fuel loading than the
Douglas-fir type. Road access is relatively easy allowing for better management opportunities.
There is no current indication of mountain pine beetle infestation and there is only minimum
evidence of dwarf mistletoe. There is some natural pine reproduction taking place, but also
dense sapling stands of Douglas-fir are starting to develop under the dominant Douglas-fir overstory where it exists.
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Cruise Plot Summary
Douglas-fir Forest Type
Avg.
Avg.
Plot
BA
DBH
Logs
BF/Acre
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-6
120
100
130
80
160
150
13
16
9
15
12
12
2
2
1½
2
1½
1½
12,555
11,218
7,055
9,176
12,842
11,603
Avg.
123
13
1¾
10,741
Douglas-fir Type acres: 27
Estimated standing Volume: 285,710 board feet
Mixed Conifer Forest Type
AVG.
AVG.
Plot
BA
DBH
Logs
BF/Acre
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
150
160
100
130
16
15
13
14
3
2½
2
1½
21,638
21,080
9,845
10,569
Avg.
135
15
1½
15,783
Mixed conifer Type acres: 12
Estimated standing volume: 189,396 board feet
Dominant Tree Analysis
Douglas-fir
Ponderosa pine
Avg. DBH
17
17
Avg. Height
61
73
Avg. Age
156
121
Site Index
52 (low)
65 (high)
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VI. Recommended Treatments and Silvicultural Prescriptions
Recommendations for this forest, fire and fuels mitigations plan will be directed to a system of
Management Units based on a combination of the built environment, roads, potential
residential sites, and the vegetative environment with a priority for fire and fuel mitigation as
follows:
Management Unit 1: Roads and access routes, specifically the Iowa Gulch and Cinch Roads.
Management Unit 2 - Potential residential homes and lots
Management Unit 3 - Douglas-fir forests
Management Unit 4 - Mixed conifer forests
Management Unit 5 - Meadows
Management Unit 1 Roads
Goal: To utilize roads and driveways as fuel breaks to break up the continuity of fuels and
provide safe ingress and egress for emergency personnel, residents and visitors. See the aerial
photo in the Appendix to see the density of roads that help break up and isolate forested
stands.
Recommendations:
1. Apply the standards and guidelines established in the Colorado State Forest Service
handbook on “Fuel Break Guidelines for Forested Subdivisions & Communities” for
roads and driveways.
2. The minimum recommended fuel break width is approximately 300 feet for level
ground and needs to be adjusted for terrain slopes above and below road cuts and
fills.
3. There should be a minimum of 10-foot spacing between tree crowns or more as
slopes increase. Small clumps of trees may be left in isolated groups. This is to be
completed by a “thinning from below” (salvage thinning) by removing ladder fuels,
diseased, deformed, and damaged trees first.
4. Slash should be treated by removing from the site or chipping and scattering on site
to a depth of no more that 1-2 inches.
5. Cleanup any current road side slash dumps by hauling away or chipping and
scattering.
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Management Unit 2 – Residential homes and lots
Goal: Future home sites and residential properties will use fire wise landscape principles and
have defensible space around them to make properties easier to defend and protect from
wildfire, while also protecting the surrounding forest and other properties from structure fires.
Recommendations:
1. Individual lot owner would apply the prescriptions for Zone 1 and Zone 2 on each 1
acre lot as set in Colorado State Forest Service document, “Creating WildfireDefensible Zones”, no. 6.302.
2. Zone 1 is 15-30 feet around the structure where all vegetation is removed.
3. Zone 2 is 75-150 feet from the structure where vegetation is treated by removing
diseased, deformed, dead or dying trees and shrubs. All remaining trees and shrubs
should be pruned.
4. Store and stack firewood at least 30 feet away from the structure on the same
elevation level. Apply recommendations for propane tank locations in accordance
with CSFS defensible space guidelines.
5. Dispose of slash off-site or chip and scatter.
Management Unit 3 Douglas-fir forest stands
Goal: Douglas-fir stands in undeveloped areas and in the Zone 3 areas of potential residential
lots are being managed as uneven-aged forests to achieve diversity of age classes,
sustainability, and at stocking levels to maintain stand vigor to reduce the risk of insects and
disease, and fuel development. More open stands will provide a forested environment that will
generate more grasses, wildflowers and shrubs for high quality recreation opportunities
including trail hiking.
Recommendations:
1. Remove accumulations of dead and down trees, branches and slash from the forest
floor, or reduce by mastication methods.
2. Thin and remove Douglas-fir seedlings to eliminate ladder fuels from under overstory trees.
3. Reduce the stocking from an average 123 basal area to an average of 80 basal area
by salvage thinning from below.
4. Create a shaded-fuel break along the common boundary with the adjoining neighbor
on the southwestern border of the Homestead property.
5. Remove slash from the area by hauling away to an approved disposal area or chip
and scatter to a depth no to exceed 1 ½ inches.
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6. Where aspen is present, stimulate reproduction by suckering by clearcutting small
patches.
Management Unit 4 Mixed conifer
Goal: To maintain an uneven-aged, healthy stand of mix conifer (ponderosa pine and
Douglas-fir) on any open space areas and within the Zone 3 areas of residential lots to
achieve stand diversity objectives and encourage natural reproduction of ponderosa
pine in particular.
Recommendations:
1. Remove accumulations of dead and down fuel from the forest floor.
2. Thin or remove Douglas-fir seedling and saplings stands to reduce ladder
fuel from under over story trees.
3. Reduce the average stocking levels from the current 135 basal area to an
average of an 80 basal area by applying a salvage thinning from below
prescription. Maintain species diversity by selecting dominant and codominant trees from both Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine species.
4. Where the old decadent aspen stands occur, encourage new suckering and
reproduction by clear-cutting small patches.
5. Dispose of slash by removing from the project site or chipping and scattering
to a depth of not more than 1 ½ inches.
Management Unit 5 Meadows
Goal: To maintain grassland meadows that help break up blocks of forested
management units of higher risk fire behavior, to help buffer the risk of fire from
potential ignitions off of Highway 285, to provide a grazing habitat for big game animals,
and to provide a scenic landscape that adds to the diversity of edges and open spaces.
Recommendations:
1. Remove any encroaching conifers, shrubs, or aspen trees from the meadow edges.
Retain existing small groups of mature trees to maintain a scenic landscape
appearance and wildlife habitat diversity.
2. Seasonally mow and remove the hay from meadows to reduce standing grass
height and residual material to reduce risk of fire spread through light and
flashy fuels.
3. Maintain ephemeral grassy water ways by removing any debris that would Create
barriers to runoff flows.
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NOTES PAGE
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APPENDIX
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CONSULTANT
Steven W. Deitemeyer, Certified Forester #2530
Wildland Resources
3724 Union Ct.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Phone: 303 456-0799
Bibliography of References
1. Forest Stewardship Plan Guidelines, CSFS, 2012
2. Foresters’ Field Handbook, CSU, 2005
3. Soil Survey of Golden Area, Colorado NRCS
4. Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones, No. 6-302, CSFS
5. Fuelbreak Guideline for Forested Subdivisions. CSFS
6. Guide to Colorado Wildflowers, G. K. Guennel, Vol. 2 Mountains, 1995
7. Aids to Determining Fuel Models for Estimating Fire Behavior, H.E. Anderson, 1982
8. CSFS Wildland Fire Portal
9. USFWS T&E Species for Jefferson County, Colorado
10. Jefferson County Corridor Plan, Conifer-Highway 285
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Mixed Conifer Forest
Douglas-fir Forest
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Iowa Gulch Riparian
Meadow
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GLOSSARY
Acre - 43,560 square feet.
Age Class - A distinct group of trees, or a portion of growing stock recognized as the
basis of age. One of the intervals into which the age range of tree crops is
divided for classification or use.
All-aged - (see uneven-aged)
Aspect - the direction towards which a slope faces (exposure).
Basal Area - the area of the cross section of a tree stem.
Bedding - the process of an animal lying down for rest.
Blight - sudden drying and browning of large, indefinite areas on shoots or limbs.
Board Foot - the amount of timber in a piece of wood 1 in x 1 ft x 1 ft. Often expressed
in multiples of a thousand, such as one thousand board feet (MBF): one
million board feet (MMBF) and so on.
Browse - any material that is browsed. Leaves, twigs, and shoots of vegetation eaten by
wildlife.
Buffer strip - a strip of vegetation that is left or managed to reduce the impact of a
treatment or action of one area on another.
Callus - tissue overgrowths at the edge of canker or wound.
Cankers - sunken areas in cortical or bark tissues.
Canopy - a more or less continuous cover of branches and foliage formed collectively by
the crowns of adjacent trees.
Canopy closure - the progressive reduction of space between tree crowns as they spread
laterally: a measure of the percent of potential open space occupied by the
collective tree crown in a stand.
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Carsonite post - A highly visible fiber glass post used to mark boundaries or section corners.
Cavity dwellers - species of birds and mammals that depend on cavities in trees for their
shelter and/or nesting.
Chain - 66 feet.
Chlorosis - subnormal chlorophyll development.
Clear cut - a silvicultural system in which the old crop is completely cleared at one time.
Climax - the culminating stage in plant succession for a given site where the vegetation has
reached a highly stable condition: and is self-perpetuating and in dynamic
equilibrium with the physical habitat.
Clone - a group of plants, growing in close association, derived by asexual reproduction
from a single parent plant.
Closed canopy - the condition that exists when the canopy created by trees or shrubs or
both is dense enough to exclude most of the direct sunlight from the forest floor.
Conifer - the most important order of the Gymnospermae, a wide range of trees, mostly
evergreens that bear comprising cones and have needle-shaped or scale-like
leaves; timber commercially identified as softwood.
Conk - the spore producing body of many fungi. It is usually protruding from the tree. It
is microscopic, annual or perennial, and usually tough and often woody in nature.
Cord - a unit of gross volume measurement for stacked round or cleft wood. 128 cubic
feet or 4ft x 4ft x 8ft.
Cover - vegetation used by wildlife for reproduction, protection from predators, or
weather conditions: also a shortened version of “crown cover.”
Crown - the part of a tree bearing live branches and foliage.
Crown cover - the amount of canopy provided by branches and foliage of trees, shrubs,
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and herbs in a plant community. May be specified by species, kind of plant,
or collectively.
Cruise - a survey of forest land to locate timber and estimate its quantity by species,
products, size, quality, or other characteristics: the estimate from such a
survey. A timber inventory.
DBH - diameter at breast height (4.5 feet).
Disease - any deviation in the normal functioning of a plant caused by some type of
persistent agent.
Diversity - the relative degree of abundance of wildlife species, plant species,
communities, habitats, or habitat features per unit area.
Dominant - plant species or species groups that, by means of the numbers. coverage,
or size, influence or control; the existence of associated species. Also,
individual animals which determine the behavior of one or more animals,
resulting in the establishment of a social hierarchy.
Down material - trunks and limbs of trees in various stages of decomposition found on the
forest floor.
Edge - the more or less well defined boundary between two or more elements of the environment.
Even-aged management - a system of forest management in which stands are produced or
maintained with relatively minor differences in age.
Final cut - generally, removal of the last trees left in a stand: more particularly, removal of
the last seed bearers or shelter trees after regeneration is considered to be
to be established under: a shelterwood system.
Forestry - the study and practice of managing forestland and associated resources.
Fuelwood - living or dead trees, or portions; thereof, suitable for burning as fuel.
Germination - the beginning of growth of a mature, generally dormant, seed. Characterized by
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rupture of the seed coat and the emergence of a radicle (root of the seed embryo).
Habitat - the immediate environment occupied by an organism.
Harvesting - generally removing merchantable trees (contrasting with cuttings which
remove immature trees).
Hazard reduction - a management action designed to reduce risk from a recognized
combination of factors that may lead to injury or economic loss.
Horizontal diversity - the diversity in an area that results from the number of plant
communities or successional stages or both; the greater their number the
greater the horizontal diversity: also, the greater the amount of edge the higher
the degree of horizontal diversity.
Improvement cuts - cuttings made in a stand past the sapling stage for the purpose of
improving its composition and character, by removing trees of less desirable
species, form, and condition in the main crown canopy.
Intermediate cuts - cutting made in a stand between the time of its formation
(regeneration) and its major harvest.
Intolerant - a tree relatively incapable of developing and growing normally in the
shade of and in competition with other trees.
Landing - any place where round timber is assembled for further transport.
Liberation cuts - cuttings designed to release a young stand, sapling stage
(1 - 5 inch dbh) or younger, from overstory competition.
Litter - the uppermost layer of organic debris on a forest floor: essentially
the freshly fallen or slightly decomposed vegetable material, mainly
foliates or leaf litter, but also bark fragments, flowers and fruits.
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Log rule - a formula or table which estimates the volume of a log when diameter
and length are known.
Lopping - after felling, the chopping of small trees and branches and tops of large trees so
that the resultant slash will lie close to the ground and decay more rapidly.
Lopping and scattering - lopping the slash created by logging and spreading it more
or less evenly over the ground without burning.
Low Thinning - the removal of trees from the lower crown classes to favor those in
the upper crown classes.
Mast - the fruit of trees such as oak, beech, sweet chestnut, and also the seeds of certain
pines.
Mature timber - a stand of trees at a stage (age or size) which satisfies the purpose
(primarily economic) for which it is managed.
Mixed stand - a stand of trees in which less than 80% of the trees in the main crown
canopy are of a single species.
Mycelium - individual or masses hypae produced by fungi.
Natural openings - clearings in a forest or brushy area which are inherent because of site
factors or have been created by natural causes, such as fire, insects, or disease.
Natural regeneration - renewal of a tree crop by natural seeding, sprouting, suckering,
or layering.
Nongame - wild vertebrates not commonly subject to sport hunting or fishing.
Open canopy - a canopy condition that allows large amounts of direct sunlight to reach
the ground.
Overmature - the condition that exists after an even-aged stand reaches maturity and
declines in vigor, health, and soundness.
Overstocked - a situation in which so many trees exist in a stand that it is impossible
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to achieve maximum wood production.
Parasite - organism that obtains food from a living organism.
Partial cuts - any timber harvest that leaves live trees standing for some management
purpose.
Pathogen - an agent, usually an organism, that incites infectious disease.
Permits - timber lease - the right to cut timber on another’s property.
Predisposition - the effect of one or more environmental factors that makes a plant
vulnerable to attack by a pathogen.
Preparatory cut - a light partial cut, made towards the end of the cutting rotation cycle in
stands under shelterwood management, in which dying, defective, and
undesirable species of trees are removed to: (1) stimulate seed production,
(2) prepare a seed bed, and (3) improve windfirmness of remaining trees.
Prescription - in silviculture terms, the formal written plan of action to carry out a
silviculture treatment of a forest stand to achieve specific objectives.
Pruning - the cutting away of unwanted material.
Pure stand - a stand of trees in which at least 80% of the trees in the main crown canopy
are of a single species.
Regeneration - the renewal of the tree crop by natural or artificial means: also, the young crop.
Release - freeing a tree or group of trees from more intermediate competition by cutting,
or otherwise eliminating growth that is overtopping or closely surrounding them.
Residual stand - the stand remaining after completion of cutting.
Resinosis - excessive outflow of resin from diseased tissue.
Riparian - of, pertaining to, or situated on, the banks of a stream, body of water, or other
perennial aquatic environments.
Riparian zone/area - an area identified by the presence of vegetation that requires free or
unbound water or conditions more moist than normally found in the area.
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Rot - dead tissue in more or less advanced stage of disintegration.
Rotation - the time between stand regeneration and even age harvest in even-aged
systems.
Salvage cutting - the removal and sale of trees that are dead, dying, or deteriorating.
Sanitation cutting - the removal of dead or damaged trees or trees susceptible to death or
damage -- usually to prevent the spread of pests or pathogens and so promote
forest hygiene.
Sapling - a young tree less than 4 inches in diameter at DBH. The minimum diameter of
saplings is usually placed at 2 inches.
Sawtimber - trees that will yield logs suitable in size and quality for the production of
lumber.
Scribner - a diagram log rule used in predicting lumber yields from logs. Scribner Decimal
C is typically rounded to the closest 10 bd. ft.
Seedling - a young tree grown from seed from the time of germination until it becomes a
sapling; the division between seedlings and saplings is indefinite and may be
arbitrarily fixed.
Selection cutting - the annual or periodic removal of trees, individually or in small groups,
from an uneven-aged forest in order to realize the yield and establish a new tree
crop.
Serotinous cones - cones that remain closed without allowing dissemination of the
enclosed seeds long beyond the time of maturing.
Shade-intolerant plants - plant species that do not germinate or grow well in the shade.
Shade- tolerant plants - plants that grow well in the shade.
Shelterwood - any regeneration cutting in a more or less regular and mature crop.
Designed to establish a new crop under the protection of the old.
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Sign - evidence of the disease other than those produced by the plant.
Silvics - the study of the life history and general characteristics of forest trees and stands
with particular reference to locality factors as a basis for the practice of
silviculture.
Silviculture - the art and science of cultivating forest crops based on the knowledge of silvics.
Site Index - a particular measure of site class based on the height of the dominant trees in
a stand at an arbitrary age.
Skid road/trail - a prepared road or trail used for pulling logs from the stump to the
landing or yard.
Skidder - a machine used for hauling loads by sliding as developed originally from the
stump to roadside, deck, or other landing.
Slash - the residue left on the ground after felling, and accumulating there as a result of
storm, fire, girdling, or poisoning.
Snag - a standing dead tree from which the leaves and most of the limbs have fallen;
such as a tree broken off but still more than 20 feet tall is a snag; less than
20 feet tall, it is called a stub.
Soft snag - a snag composed primarily of wood in advanced stages of decay and
deterioration, particularly in the sapwood portions, generally not merchantable.
Stagnated stand - a stand in which growth of individual trees is much below the potential
because of crowding or high density of the trees.
Stand - a contiguous group of trees sufficiently uniform in age or size class distribution
to be distinguished as a unit.
Stocking - an indication of stand density compared to some pre-established standard.
Succession - the changes in vegetation and in animal life that takes place as the plant
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community evolves from bare ground to climax.
Sucker - a shoot arising from below ground level, either from a rhizome or from a root.
Sun scalding - injury to bark and cambium caused by exposure of the tree stem to high
temperatures from intense sunlight.
Symptom - evidence of disease exhibited by the plant itself.
Thinning - felling of part of an immature crop or stand to accelerate growth in the remaining
trees; by suitable selection, to improve the form of the trees that remain.
Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) - a term comprising all intermediate treatments made to
improve the stand.
Topography - the topography of an area describes the lay of the land, that is to say, the
relative slopes and elevations of the landscape. Slope can sometimes limit
management alternatives.
Understory - lower level of vegetation, composed of shrubs and trees less than 15 feet.
Uneven-aged - a crop or stand that contains trees of all or almost all age classes.
Water bar - a shallow channel or raised barrier constructed diagonally across a road, trail,
or control line to lead water off the surface to reduce erosion.
Watershed - an area of land that is drained by a river.
Wildfire - an unplanned fire requiring suppression action, as contrasted with, a prescribed
fire burning within prepared lines enclosing a designated area under prescribed
conditions; a free-burning fire unaffected by fire suppression measures.
Wildlife Stand Improvements (WSI) - a term comprising all intermediate treatments made
Windfirmness - ability to withstand heavy wind.
Windthrow - a tree or trees uprooted or felled by the wind.
Wolf tree - a vigorous tree, generally of bad growth form, that occupies more growing
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space than its value warrants, so harming or threatening potentially better
neighbors. Generally a dominant tree with a broad spreading crown.
Note: Some definitions have been taken from the Society of American Foresters
Dictionary.
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Threatened and Endangered Species List
USDI-Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services 2012
Jefferson County, Colorado
Canada Lynx
Threatened
Colorado Butterfly Plant
Threatened
Mexican Spotted Owl
Threatened
Pawnee Montane Skipper
Threatened *
Ute Ladies’ Tresses Orchid
Threatened
Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse Threatened *
Whooping Crane
Endangered
Piping Plover
Threatened
Pallid Sturgeon
Endangered
Gunnison’s Prairie Dog
Considered
Least Tern
Endangered
North American Wolverine
Considered
Note: * Potentially on this property as it is within proximity to the South Platte River watershed
or identified on US Fish and Wildlife Service occurrence map.
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