Forestate

forestate

Harvest Standards

Stump Height Requirements

All stumps must be cut to less than 15 cm (6 in.) in height and below the lowest green limbs, unless tree form makes this impossible or specified in the management plan. Then stumps must be cut as close to the ground as possible.

Trees cut and not removed must be laid as close to the ground as conditions permit to accelerate decomposition. These trees are not permitted to rest against or be supported by residual trees.

Planning Requirements

Critical: All harvest sites must be prescribed in an approved forest management plan.

Slash Management

Block, Patch and Strip Harvests

On block, patch and strip harvest sites, the foliage and branches should either be left on site or returned after the tree is processed.

Other Harvest Types

On harvest sites other than block, patch and strip harvests, whole tree harvesting is acceptable.

Environmental Protection During Harvest

Harvesting and extraction should not be carried out in conditions that result in damage to residual trees, erosion, rutting, soil compaction or puddled soils, as outlined in the road and water diversion construction section.

Key Environmental Concerns:

  • Damage to residual trees - Trees left standing after harvest
  • Erosion - Soil loss from water or wind
  • Rutting - Depressions ≥15 cm deep and ≥2 m long in soil surface
  • Soil compaction - Squeezing soil particles together, reducing air and water space
  • Puddled soils - Degraded, dense soil from repeated mixing when wet

Biomass Harvesting

On sites being harvested for biomass production (chip form) the guidelines as stated in Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action: Biomass Guidelines, (Appendix 1) must be followed.

Key Biomass Guidelines: