Specifications include, but are not limited to: Release well-formed, desirable target trees under 5 inches DBH per acre from competing woody vegetation Special emphasis will be taken to identify and release Oak species, Paper Birch, and Red Maple under 7 feet tall In order of target tree preference, release desirable species of Oak species, then Paper Birch, then Red Maple Oak is the primary crop species Do not cut Butternut or Hickory; notify project supervisor of location of any of these trees Release the selected target trees by cutting all competing woody vegetation within an 8’ radius around them o Include suppressed trees and aspen o Reserve all pine and white cedar Do not cut down standing dead timber Release oak stump sprouts by removing all but 2 sprouts per stump Selected oak stump sprouts will be thinned to leave 2 undamaged sprouts per stump o Reserved sprouts will be selected in the following priority: 1) reserve sprouts connected to old stump below ground surface 2) reserve sprouts connected to the old stump at ground level 3) reserve sprouts connected nearest ground level The largest, dominant, or co-dominant sprouts meeting the before mentioned priority will be chosen to be left Where possible, have adequate spacing for well-formed, vigorous target trees per sprouting stump Competition control must be completed to allow ≥50% sunlight to each target tree. Trees of desirable species over 5 inches DBH should NOT be considered target trees in need of release o Instead select smaller trees of desirable species for release o Leave the larger target species if they are of good quality even if they are shading the selected target trees When desirable tree species are competing with each other, Oak, Pine, Spruce, and White Cedar should always be selected. Birch species and Bitternut Hickory should be selected IF no Oak, Pine, Spruce, or White Cedar are present If lower priority desirable tree species are competing with each other, select the best-formed tree and release it Care is to be taken to minimize damage to residual trees during felling Mechanically sever all competing stems within 6 inches of the ground line and below any live branches Reserve all vegetation that is not within the treatment radius of target trees All severed brush, tops, trees, branches, etc. to lie in state land should be as low to ground as possible but, in all cases, shall be within 6 feet of the ground No trees are to be dropped on or left standing to fall later onto fences, fields, roads, trails, wetlands, or private property They must be felled and cleared from fields, fences, roads, logging roads, access routes, and private property unless directed otherwise by DNR project supervisor Fences damaged by felling shall be repaired by contractor at contractor’s expense as directed by DNR project supervisor
