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<br />::,'; I (I ((.; 9 J <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />consider alternatives to total fire sunnression. However, decisions to <br />utilize other alternatives Must be carefully planned, technically sound <br />and commensurate with vnlues involved. <br /> <br />Timber <br /> <br />The predominant tree species are Bngelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and <br />lodgepole pine. They occur both in mixtures and pure stands. Douglas- <br />fir and ponderosa pine are found as an occasional tree or group at lower <br />elevations. Aspen is found on lower slopes and along stream courses. <br /> <br />The forest cover has been disturbed by three catastrophic events in <br />recent history. 11ature spruce was killed by Englemann spruce bark <br />beetles in the lASO's foliowed by an extensive forest fire in 1879. <br />Another bark beetle epidemic occurred in the 1940's. <br /> <br />Because of the diversity of tree species, the stands were not completely <br />destroyed during the last beetle epidemic. Residual subalpine fir, <br />lodgepole pine and smaller spruce provide a forest cover. <br /> <br />Productivity of the timber lands is considered average for the Routt <br />National Forest. Standing tree volume is lower than average because of <br />the beetle epidemics. Exposed bedrock caused by glacial action inhibits <br />tree growth in some areas along .the Continental Divide and Gore Range. <br />The best tree growth occurs on the glacial deposits. <br /> <br />Timber harvest within the unit has been sporatic. Records show some <br />logging in Soda Creek and Fish Creek drainages in the early 1900's. The <br />first timber sale on the Routt National Forest was in 190~ in the <br />Rabbit Ears Pass area. Almost 1,000 acres were partial cut in the <br />Service Creek drainage about 1915. About 500 acres were logged in upper <br />Service Creek in the 1950's. Recent logging has .occurred in the north <br />end of the Unit. Trees attacked by ,"ountain pine beetle were salvaged <br />in the Harrison Creek area in 1974. <br /> <br />The total area of coniferous forest is approximately 100,000 acres. The <br />volu~e of standing timber is approximately 800 million board feet in <br />trees nine inches in diameter and up. Because of the road less nature of <br />the unit, much of the area is currently unaccessible. Forty-four percent <br />of the commercial forest land is on Slopes over 40% or on slopes with <br />shallow soils and roc!; outcrops. <br /> <br />Insects and Disease <br /> <br />Common diseases are dwarfmistletoe on lodgepole pine and numerous fungi <br />causing trunk rots and butt rots in Engelnann spruce and subalpine fir. <br />Trunk and butt rots occur in lodgepole pine althought not as prevalent <br />as in the fir. <br /> <br />7 <br />