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0029~3 I Neither option improves the distribution of .age classes. However, of the two options. the second insures more acres in a stocked condition at the end of the plan period. For this reason, it is proposed for the next ten years. In the meantime, research must be applied to acres that are now in a nonstocked or understocked condition to determine how best to obtain reproduction. When a suitable solution is found, the plan will be modified as necessary to include an appropriate silvicultural treatment of the species. In the Douglas-fir/white fir type, the Shelterwood SystemlQ( will be used. The tall trees will be removed where regeneration is established in sufficient size and quantity to leave a green forest appearance after cutting. Harvest may have to be done in stages to protect the regeneration. Seed and preparatory cuts will be applied in other stands. In the Engelmann spruce/alpine fir type, partial cutting will be done using the Shelterwood System. Specific modifications and various combinations of silvicu)tural systems may be used when necessary to cope with hazards such as fire, wind, and insect infestations. On areas ready for the removal cut and loggable by tractor, the removal cut will be made in fou~ steps, one each 10 years. The first will be made during the proposed plan period. On areas requiring cable logging, the removal cut will be made in one entry. The aspen type will be managed by the Clearcut System. Cutting units will generally not exceed 20 acres in size. 4. Reforestation and Timber Stand Improvement Reforestation is the reestablishment of a new crop of trees on a site after the old crop, or a portion of the old crop, is removed through harvest, fire, insects, etc. It may be accomplished by natural seeding from trees in the forest or by artificial meanS such as planting nursery grown seedlings. The silvicultural systems prescribed in the proposed plan will normally result. in natural re- generation of the stands. If this is not accomplished within five years after harvest, planting will be done. This planting will be financed with receipts from the sale of the timber on the area. Reforestation in old un regenerated clearcut blocks will be continued in the Engelmann spruce type until all are planted. This work will be financed with funds appropriated by Congress and with certain timber sale receipt funds. There is also a backlog of non-stocked and understocked lands in the ponderosa pine type. Because of the oakbrush problem discussed earlier, about 103,000 acres of these lands will be deferred from any artificial regeneration activity pending further research on the problem. In addition to these lands, there are about 37,400 acres of understocked ponderosa pine sites that are programed for planting in the next ten years if funds are appropriated by Congress. Timber Stand Improvement is any treatment of young stands of trees that will result in faster growth rates, better shaped trees, more insect and disease resistant and the most desirable tree species. Improvements may be accomplished in a number of ways, such as thinning or removing excess numbers of trees; weeding or remOVing undesirable species of trees; pruning, fertilizing, etc. Timber stand improvement needs are determined when a forest area is studied for a timber sale. In most cases the actual improvement work is accomplished after harvest is completed and is financed by receipts from the sale of the timber. Timber stand improvement work needed on areas not planned for sale in the next twenty to thirty years must be accomplished with appropriated funds. An estimated 15,000 acres, primarily needing thinning, falls into this category and can be programed for treatment in the next decade if funds are available. Priority for timber stand improvement work will be given to the best growing sites. Table 3 summarizes treatments under the proposed plan. 10/ Shelterwood System: This is a silvicultural system where part of trees are left standing to pro- irrde seed and shade for the anticipated reproduction. After reproduction is established, these trees are removed. This system results in an even-aged stand. The shelterwood system generally involves three separate entries into the stand. The first is the preparatory cut and should remove the decadent and the suppressed trees. The purpose of this cut is to make the stand more wind firm in preparation for the seed cut. The second cut can be made ten years after the preparatory cut. The best formed and best seed producing trees are left standing. Following this cut, there will be about 50 percent crown closure; i.e., the mature tree crowns should occupy about one-half of the a~ea if viewed from directly overhead. The third and final cut is the removal cut. This cut removes all of the mature trees. It is not made until reproduction is established. Depending upon land management Objectives, the removal cut can be made at any time the new stand is established. The removal cut can be made with one or more harvest entries. 10