Twenty-five years of managing vegetation in conifer plantations in northern and central California: results, application, principles, and challenges

Abstract

The Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the principle of multiple use management of the Nation's forest resources for sustained yields of wood, water, forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry research, cooperation with the States and private forest owners, and management of the National Forests and National Grasslands, it strives-as directed by Congress-to provide increasingly greater service to a growing Nation.The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.

Tamm Review: Reforestation for resilience in dry western U.S. forests

“…"release") in the first five years. In areas where planted trees are more widely spaced, drought stress can be exacerbated by the rapid growth of shrubs and grasses in the high-light environment between trees and increase competition for nutrients and soil moisture, (Lanini and Radosevich, 1986;Riegel et al, 1992;McDonald and Fiddler, 2010;Bohlman et al, 2016). Competing vegetation is reduced manually, mechanically, or with herbicides.…”

“…Managers are primarily concerned that competing vegetation reduces regeneration growth rates, lengthens the time required for trees to reach a size resistant to surface fires, and favors conifer species that are more shade-tolerant yet sensitive to fire and drought, such as white fir (Abies concolor) and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) (McDonald and Fiddler, 2010).…”

Science synthesis to support socioecological resilience in the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range

“…Another component of postfire treatment can include the use of herbicides to reduce shrubs and favor conifer survival and growth (McDonald andFiddler 2010, Zhang et al 2008). A study comparing active postfire management to passive management on private forest lands that burned in the large Fountain Fire (1992) in the synthesis area concluded that active postfire reforestation treatments were more effective at quickly restoring forest cover than passive management (Zhang et al 2008).…”

Assisted gene flow in the context of large‐scale forest management in California,USA

“…Tree planting can be an important component of forest management and restoration, particularly following severe wildfires and intensive timber harvest (McDonald and Fiddler 2010).…”