The contractor shall provide service on Rocky Creek Conservation Area, Compartment 20 in accordance with the provisions and requirements stated herein and to the sole satisfaction of the Department. a. Desirable tree species to keep are (shortleaf pine, black walnut, white oak, northern red oak, black oak, scarlet oak, and hickories). b. Desirable wildlife trees to keep are black cherry, persimmon, red mulberry, red bud, dogwood, farkleberry, and wild plum, c. Undesirable tree species to cut are generally (black gum, red maple, sugar maple, eastern red cedar, and sassafras). d. Undesirable or cull trees that are larger than or equal to 9 inches, diameter at breast height, or trees that are not safe to cut, may be girdled with two rings around the trunk. The rings should be one inch deep, completely circle the stem in a continuous ring, and be no more than 4 inches apart. Do not girdle a tree along roads or firebreaks. e. Acceptable Growing Stock (AGS) – a vigorously growing, single-stemmed, dominant or co-dominant tree that has apical dominance and is generally straight and free of defect. f. Unacceptable Growing Stock (UGS) - suppressed, low vigor trees that has one or more of the following common defects: poor timber form, excessive branching, sweep, crook, and rot from insects, fungus, or disease. g. It will be the responsibility of the Contractor to determine whether a tree is desirable or undesirable. A good working knowledge of tree identification is essential to complete this project. h. Size classes of trees measured in diameter at breast height (DBH) 4.5 feet above ground; small trees 2 to 4 inches, pole trees 5-9 inches, sawtimber trees 10 inches and greater. i. Visual management zone will require treetops to be cut to a height of 3 feet or less, 25 feet from trails and unimproved roads, 75 feet from improved MDC roads or county roads, and 125 feet from state highways. j. Cut stems must be severed completely within 6 inches above the soil line, on the uphill side. Stumps must be cut flat and not to exceed a 25º angle. k. All spring poles must be released or cut. Any hanging trees shall be cut down to the ground.
