PROJECT GALLERY
Timber Stand Improvement at Andrews Community Forest
Trail Restoration: Before and After
Timber Stand Improvement at Andrews Community Forest
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This stand in the Andrews Community Forest (Richmond, VT) is dominated by Red and White oak and was commercially harvested by a local logger. The Chittenden County Forester had us come in post harvest in the spring of 2023 to perform a variety of Timber Stand Improvement tasks, such as beech control, crop tree release, and browse mitigation. We used a mechanical form of beech control where the stem is severed above knee height to prevent prolific root sprouting. Crop tree release was used to thin around the crowns of the most desirable and well formed individuals, increasing their vigor and, in the case of the oaks, mast production. Browse mitigation is, in a way, a result of the non-commercial activities we performed, whereby the crowns and trunks of severed trees are left on site and intact, creating a barrier and deterrent for deer searching for acorns and saplings to eat. Another benefit from this project would be an increase of both large and small coarse woody debris, which will recycle nutrients into the soil and create habitat for amphibians and small mammals. When possible, trees were felled across slopes to maximize the potential for slowing water flow in rain events, and creating catchments for leaves and other organic material.
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Trail Restoration: Before and After
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This trail was channelizing water and eroding in the absence of water bars. We took soil from the downhill bank to fill in the erosion channel while simultaneously using the excavated areas to create outlets for water bars. A properly built water bar will have a trough that extends below the grade of the trail that is consistently sloped downwards to allow the water to travel into the outlet, dispersing water into the woods and away from the trail system. The excavated material that created the trough is used to build a wide berm, extending the life and hardiness of a water bar.
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This old farm road hadn't seen use in many years and was growing back in White pine and alder. We were able to doze off most of the smaller diameter stems with the excavators blade and pick out anything oversized with its bucket and thumb. There was an existing ditch on the uphill side of the road that in places had become full of sediment, with water consequently flowing over the old road and creating swampy conditions. We dug out the excess sediment and re-established flow to the ditch.
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