Section 050. Residual Stocking And Reforestation

01. Purpose. To provide requirements for residual stocking and reforestation that will maintain a continuous growing and harvesting of forest tree species, and for sites not requiring reforestation, to maintain soi l productivity and minimize erosion. The rules specify the minimum number of acceptable trees per acre and th e maximum period of time allowed after harvesting for establishment of forest tree species. (3-31-22) 02. Quality of Residual Stocking. On any operation, trees left for future harvest must be of acceptabl e species and adequately protected from harvest damage to enhance their survival and growth. Locate roads an d landings and conduct felling, bucking, skidding, yarding, and decking operations to minimize damage to residua l trees. Acceptable residual trees should have a minimum live crown ratio of thirty percent (30%), minimum basa l scarring, and should not have dead or broken tops. When stands have a high percentage of unacceptable trees , consider stand replacement rather than intermediate cuttings. (3-31-22) 03. Sites Impractical to Reforest. Sites impractical to reforest, generally ponderosa pine and drie r Douglas-fir habitat types, must not be harvested below minimum stocking, unless the site is converted to some othe r use or, in instances of wildfire, insects, disease or other natural causes, where salvage of damaged timber is planned. (3-31-22) a. When harvesting timber on these sites, one (1) of the following actions must be taken to ensur e minimum stocking: (3-31-22) i. Establish a new stand by leaving seed trees on the site and inter-planting at least once within five (5) years of harvest completion. (3-31-22) ii. Establish a new stand of timber by planting the site with an acceptable tree species, and inter- planting at least once within five (5) years of the original planting. (3-31-22) b. If the efforts listed above in a.i. and a.ii. do not provide the minimum stocking level, the landowne r will be encouraged but not required to perform additional reforestation efforts

f harvest completion. (3-31-22) ii. Establish a new stand of timber by planting the site with an acceptable tree species, and inter- planting at least once within five (5) years of the original planting. (3-31-22) b. If the efforts listed above in a.i. and a.ii. do not provide the minimum stocking level, the landowne r will be encouraged but not required to perform additional reforestation efforts. (3-31-22) 04. Stocking. (3-31-22) a. Stocking is satisfactory immediately following harvest if the following number of acceptable tree s per acre, within each specified region, for at least one (1) diameter range are reasonably well distributed over the are a affected by harvesting. (NOTE: (1) DBH = Diameter (outside of the bark) of a tree four and one half (4.5) feet abov e mean ground level): MINIMUM STOCKING - ACCEPTABLE TREES Diameter Range Average Number of Average Spacing Idaho Region DBH (inches) Retained Trees Per Acre (feet) North 0” – 2.9” 170 16 x 16 South 0” – 2.9” 125 18 x 18 North 3.0” – 10.9” 110 19 x 19 South 3.0” – 10.9” 75 24 x 24 North 11.0” and greater 20 46 x 46 South 11.0” and greater 15 53 x 53 (3-31-22) b. If the stand consists of retained trees of mixed diameter ranges reasonably well distributed over th e harvested area and none of the diameter ranges individually equal or exceed the minimum trees per acre show n above, stocking is satisfactory if the weighted total of all of the diameter ranges of the retained trees exceeds a valu e of one hundred seventy (170) for a stand in the North Region and one hundred twenty-five (125) in the South Region . Calculate the weighted total by multiplying the number of retained trees per acre in each diameter range by the weigh t below and then sum the results. Diameter Range Weight 0” – 2.9” 1 3.0” – 10.9” 1.6 11.0” and greater 8.4 (3-31-22) c. Harvested stands which are not adequately stocked, as defined above, are subject to supplementa l reforestation requirements specified in Subsection 050.06. (3-31-22) 05. Reforestation Exemptions. (3-31-22) a

e number of retained trees per acre in each diameter range by the weigh t below and then sum the results. Diameter Range Weight 0” – 2.9” 1 3.0” – 10.9” 1.6 11.0” and greater 8.4 (3-31-22) c. Harvested stands which are not adequately stocked, as defined above, are subject to supplementa l reforestation requirements specified in Subsection 050.06. (3-31-22) 05. Reforestation Exemptions. (3-31-22) a. Reforestation is not required for: (3-31-22) i. Noncommercial forest land; (3-31-22) ii. Land converted to another use. This may include land converted to roads used in a forest practice; (3-31-22) iii. A forest practice which will result in ten (10) acres or less below minimum stocking levels. (3-31-22) b. On lands where reforestation is not being planned in accordance with Subsection 050.03, establis h some form of grass or planted cover within one (1) year in order to maintain soil productivity and minimize erosion. (3-31-22) 06. Supplemental Reforestation. Seeding and/or planting may be required if after three (3) growin g seasons from the date of harvest, stocking levels do not meet the standards in Subsection 050.04. Complete require d seeding and/or planting before the end of the fifth growing season following the time of harvest; the Director mus t grant an extension of time if suitable seeds or seedlings are not available or if weather or other conditions interfere. (3-31-22) a. Reforestation practices must ensure seedlings become established. This can be accomplished by adequate site preparation, using acceptable seed or seedlings, following accepted planting or sowing practices, o r other suitable means. (3-31-22) b. The party responsible for reforestation is the landowner during the harvest which reduced stan d stocking below the minimum levels stated in Subsection 050.04. (3-31-22) 051. -- 059. (RESERVED)