Specifications include, but are not limited to: Trees to Be Cut Except for crop or leave trees specified above and in the Unit Description Table, the Contractor shall cut the following: A. When thinning is done on a spacing basis or combination basis, cut all surplus trees more than four (4) feet in height except for western redcedar. B. When cutting multiple stems from “CROP” trees, the face cut should be approximately one foot (1.0’) above initiation at a minimum 30-degree angle away from the leave tree. Stem left should be the largest and free from defect. C. All red alder, bigleaf maple, cherry, cottonwood, cascara and/or other hardwood species, that are both greater than four (4) feet in height and growing within twenty (20) feet of a “CROP” tree shall be cut. Other low growing hardwood species (including vine maple, elderberry, willow, green alder, rocky mountain maple, quaking aspen, paper birch, willow, or other species identified in the Unit Description) need to be cut only when their height is greater than two-thirds (2/3rds) the height of the nearest adjacent crop tree. Hardwoods shall not be cut where their removal will create gaps in the stand with dimensions greater than twenty-five (25) feet in width or where their removal will expose live streams to direct sunlight. D. All damaged or deformed trees as described below shall be cut, except when their removal will create gaps in the stand with dimensions greater than twenty-five (25) feet in width. 1. Trees with scars or open wounds on the lower stem involving more than one-half (1/2) of the circumference of the stem. 2. Trees with more than twenty (20) degrees lean or trees with crook or sweep in the lower stem protruding outward from a straight line more than twelve (12) inches. 3. Trees with broken stems or girdling of the stem where only the lower part of the living crown remains. 4. Trees with double tops of forked trees when other more suitable trees are available.
