Running Enterprise has been involved in thinning trees since 2002. Based on the regional location of Running Enterprise we primarily target ponderosa pine trees, although there are other types of trees that we target depending on location and the landowner.
Like anything else, resources on the land need to be managed. Those of you that are blessed with land that has pine trees know what it like to be able to grow two or three crops at once. Not many landowners can say that. But with that comes more management. Due to the suppression of fire since the late 19th century and through the 20th century, ponderosa pine ecosystems have changed dramatically.
Smokey the Bear did a wonderful job for our ability to suppress fire. Fire suppression coupled with the increased demand of lumber in our society led us (the public) to want to grow as many trees as possible. The effect of that can be seen today, especially in the increase of catastrophic wildfires. But there are many other effects of this as well. Things like decrease of total forage production in a ponderosa pine ecosystem, loss of plant diversification, wildlife densities, livestock carrying capacities, and so on. Everything is interconnected, and as a result we have tipped off the other side of the spectrum.
Therefore, Running Enterprise feels that tree thinning is very important and is a practice that needs to be implemented on the land to try to get back to a more balanced ecosystem. As part of managing a ponderosa pine ecosystem, there are some basic concepts to follow. Managing these trees (crops) is a long and expensive process, but very well worth the cost when the long term expenses and sales are balanced.
Here is a fast and furious guide for managing these trees.
Logging. Log, or harvest, your crop. Society needs lumber to sustain. Many products come from these trees, so capitalize on that.
Tree Thinning. This is the area we specialize. Just because you have logged doesn't mean the job is done. You need to prune the forest and select for the next crop. You need to create fire barriers, reduce latter fuels, create better spacing, encourage more organic matter to get into the soil, create the best duff layer possible, and restore this ecosystem to the healthiest stage possible.
Livestock and Wildlife Management. This is important. After the logging and the thinning, you are going to have plant diversification like you never seen before. Take advantage of that. Through the grazing patterns of livestock and wildlife you can sustain a health ecosystem and make a living off of the land. Have fun!!
Fire. Use fire to your benefit. Don't be afraid of it. Fire is one of the most amazing events that can happen to the land. Wildfire can be good if you are prepared for it, but you have to ready. By taking the steps above, you will be ready. Prescribed fire is also an amazing tool. You are the one in control with prescribed fire, so use it to your advantage. Fire is not the enemy, but the absence of fire is. Taking steps to avoid any type of sterilizing, intense, very hot fire is the key. Uncontrollable, hot, intense, fast-moving fires that engulf everything in their paths are the types of fires that are catastrophic and damaging to the land, resulting in an undesirable ecosystem for you and everybody else around you, in addition to the loss of ground for livestock and wildlife.
By following this fast and furious guide you will be able to find satisfaction in your land, find yourself harvesting two or three crops off your land, and still be contributing to society. The Thinning Process
Moving in and thinning undesirable trees after the logging process is critical. This process requires removing surplus trees to attain a specific stand density. This aids in removing ladder fuels to help in avoiding crown fires, increasing basal area around trees to encourage more plant diversity, and reducing infestation problems associated with bark beetles.
Removing ladder fuels is critical. This aids in reducing the potential of crown fires in a trees stand. Crown fires are hard to manage and control; they jeopardize the health of the ecosystem and potentially cost lots of money to fight. In removing ladder fuels you find yourself getting rid of those "dog hair" stands. Dog hair stands are very thick stands of young trees competing for limited resources to survive. The end result of dog hair stands are trees that will probably not be suitable for timber harvest and they can be a breeding ground for bark beetles. Therefore, you have trees that are not benefiting the environment they are in and/or are eventually a hazard for the ecosystem. Bark beetles are like prairie dogs – they are very important to the ecosystem in which they live, but overpopulation or infestation of them will be more detrimental than beneficial.
For those of you that chose to live in the forest, you understand that creating a defensible barrier between the forest and your home is essential. When it comes to fire, you know that the forest does not care; therefore, putting in a barrier between you and the rest of the forest is a must. You know that having a managed forest allows for a lower intensity fire, which is more suitable for you than to have a fire problem that is uncontrollable.
In conclusion, I feel it is important for Running Enterprise to offer this service to landowners. We enjoy doing this very much. Until you have been able to be in the forest, thin trees, and at the end of a day see just how big a difference your efforts make in this type of ecosystem, you cannot truly appreciate the power of this management tool.
There are many programs offered to assist landowners in the cost of thinning trees. To learn more contact Running Enterprise or your local forestry division.
Disclaimer: This fast and furious guide offered above should be only used in the context of this website. Landowners/managers should contact Running Enterprise or your local forestry division for a more detailed management guide in understanding forest management and applying these practices out on the ground.
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