FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN PARTS 3, 4, & 5:
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN: STAND # 1
3. Stand Description: Stand # 1 consists of an estimated ten (10) acres of forest comprised primarily of a mix of hemlock, spruce-fir, and white birch of poletimber size, at the front of the property along North Road. The forester has classified the stand as S2B (See ATTACHMENT for descriptions}. Maple and other hardwoods are also present in the stand. A small brook passes through the eastern border of this stand and a small wetland is present adjacent to North Road. A power line passes west to east through the stand and the log landing is in the center of the stand. The paper birch is the most visible species in the stand. The log road climbs and curves to the log landing, and a fainter skid road continues north from the landing. The stand is bordered on the west by the Judge's property, with a residence along the road, and on the east by the Sear's property, which has a barn and residence adjacent to the road. No recent timber harvest has occurred in this stand. The stand varies in elevation from 740 feet to 820 feet, with steep rise and falls. For "In Current Use Classification" the stand is best classified as "All Other".
4. Recommended Treatment For Stand: The forester has advised that this stand is in good condition and requires no special treatment in the near future.
5. Management Goals For Stand: This stand will be the only stand subject to construction and building. The log road will be maintained in its existing open condition and will receive grading prior to construction of a residence by 1998. The log landing will be kept clear and slash will be removed or buried at the site. Seeding of the landing will be conducted as time permits. The natural bowl to the north of the landing will be severely thinned and seeded, either before or after construction of a residence. A barn and fence around the cleared area will be constructed as time permits. A site for a well and septic system will be located prior to construction. The forest along North Road will be maintained in its present condition and will continue to offer a natural view from North Road. No construction will be visible from the roadway. The skid road north of the landing will be opened and all new growth in the pathway will be cut down. The trail system shall originate from this stand and a small footpath from the landing/building site to the brook at the eastern boundary will be improved.
1999 Plan Addendum for Stand 1
STAND 1 - 10 Acres
This stand includes the logging yard used during the harvest done by the previous landowner in the late 1980s. Details of the harvest are provided in the original plan. A truck road to the yard will be used as a driveway to the planned building site in this former yard. It is recommended that advice from NRCS be obtained to best protect the driveway from erosion problems. Seeding of the disturbed soil should also be done to further prevent soil erosion. Trails leading from the yard provide excellent access to the other trails throughout the property. NRCS can also help advise you on best management practices for improving skid trails for recreation and motorized access. Soil is Colton.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN: STAND # 2
3. Stand Description: Stand # 2 consists of an estimated forty (40) acres of forest comprised primarily of hemlock and white birch. Though the forester has classified this stand as M2,3B, it contains more poletimber than sawtimber. This stand consists of the acreage north of Stand # 1 where the building site is located, and the acreage in the southeast center portion of the property. Stand # 3 lies inside this stand and is excluded from this description. A 1988 timber harvest removed much of the hemlock in this stand, along with spruce, fir, birch, red oak, maple and white ash. Large hemlock seed trees were left in the cut areas and adequate forest cover remains over most of the stand. A number of wildlife openings were left in the northeast section of this stand, and browse growth has regenerated. An old log road bears to the east from the main skid road at the southern end of the stand and passes over the brook and into the Sear's property. A second old log road exists in the bottom portion of the southwest center portion and will require clearing to connect to the skid trail. The skid trail appears to have several branches into the northeast part of this stand, where the majority of recent timber harvesting took place. The brook passes through this stand before crossing into the Sear's property. The stand varies in elevation from 800 feet to 1,200 feet, becoming more steep in the northern section. The softwood forest in the southeast section of this stand has not been recently cut and includes most of the sawtimber in this stand. An old 1917 AMC hiking trail follows the eastern boundary of this stand and is marked with orange blazes. For "In Current Use Classification" the stand is best classified as "All Other".
4. Recommended Treatment For Stand: The forester has advised that this stand requires no special treatment over the next ten years, except for the repair of erosion damage in two places along the main skid trail near stand # 3. Water bars and seeding were recommended for those areas.
5. Management Goals For Stand: No forestry activity is planned for this stand during the next ten years. Water bars will be dug above the two eroded areas, two feet deep by two to three feet wide, and the eroded areas raked and reseeded with a high quality conservation mix of grasses. Lime and fertilizer will be applied to seeded area. This repair should occur during the summer of 1995. The existing skid trails and old log roads will be cleared of new growth, and restored as pathways and marked as time allows during the next three year period of absentee management. A large part of the existing trail system lies in this stand and will be required to be planned, mapped, and marked by 1998. The old AMC trail on the east boundary will be linked into the interior system.
1999 Plan Addendum for Stand 2
STAND 2 - 30 Acres
Ice-storm damage is evident in the northeastern portion of this stand. Ice damage became evident at elevations over 1,000 feet. Bent-over saplings and moderate crown damage (25%-60%) were noted. Skid trails used for the past harvest should be viewed by NRCS to obtain advice for erosion control measures and upgrading access to ice-damaged stands. The area near Stand 3 is noted in the original plan as having erosion damage. A maintenance plan should be developed to insure permanent access and recreational enjoyment of the property. Tree branches and tops, along with bent-over saplings, need to be removed from sections of the trail in the northeast portion of this stand. A portion of the former Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) trail follows the northeast boundary line and is also in need of debris removal. Plans to link onto the former AMC trail system are noted in the original plan. Timber stand improvement (TSI) is advised to improve species composition and stem quality in the regeneration from the previous harvests. About 10 acres of TSI in the south portion of this stand is needed. Funds are currently available through the Forestry Incentive Program (FIP), administered by NRCS. The stewardship incentive program under SIP-3, forest improvement, also provides funds when available for this practice. The Extension Service Forestry educator provides approval for both of these programs. Soils are Monadnock, Tunbridge-Lyman and Berkshire.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN: STAND # 3
3. Stand Description: Stand # 3 consists of two (2) acres plus of wetland which contains a mixture of vegetation. This wetland area is located at the northeast corner boundary near the Sear's property corner. A bog area covers several acres of that portion of the wetland inside Stand # 2. The bog area extends west from Stand # 3 through Stand # 2, though the forester has indicated that only three acres of this stand should be classified as wetland. The wetland occurs at an elevation of 850 feet, and is fed from a mountain brook which flows from the mountain summit from the northeast. The brook flows southeasterly from the bog and into the Sear's property before it returns to the First Mountain property. The brook feeding the wetland has eroded the main skid road through Stand # 2, and flows through a steep section of the skid road where the severe erosion has occurred. The wetland begins at the base of this erosion and contains surface water throughout the year, even when the brook has declined to a trickle. The wetland is of significant value to wildlife and a moose was observed feeding in the bog in April, 1995. For "In Current Use Classification" the stand is measured at three (3) acres and is best classified as Wetland or Unproductive Land.
4. Recommended Treatment For Stand: The forester has advised that three acres of this stand should be considered unproductive for growing timber and should be so classified. He has recommended that the wetland be protected in its natural state for various wildlife values.
5. Management Goals For Stand: The bog and wetland will be protected and preserved in its present state, and trail development through the bog will be restricted or planned in such a way as to avoid disturbance. Repair to the eroded skid trail will be monitored to insure that diverted water continues to flow naturally into the wetland. This stand will be frequently monitored to insure the viability of this valuable wildlife area.
1999 Plan Addendum for Stand Stand 3
STAND 3 - 2 Acres
This small area of wetland should be left undisturbed.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN: STAND # 4
3. Stand Description: Stand # 4 consists of an estimated seventeen (17) acres of forest comprised primarily of red oak, beech, and scattered American mountain ash. The timber contains a high percentage of sawlogs in addition to poletimber. This stand lies in the center of the property below and to the west of the major ledges. Elevation for this stand varies from 880 feet to above 1000 feet. Scattered softwoods are also present in the stand. The stand was partially logged many years ago (1950s?) and now has a healthy stand of trees. The forester has classified the stand as H2,3B. For "In Current Use Classification" this stand is best classified as "All Other". Traces of a very old log road may be found in the north part of this stand.
4. Recommended Treatment For Stand: The forester has advised that this stand has a healthy stand of trees with good stocking. The stand requires no treatment within the next ten years.
5. Management Goals For Stand: The stand will be left as is, with minor cutting for release of mountain ash where appropriate. The more moderate terrain will allow for design of cross country ski trails in the stand, along with hiking trails. The red oak and beech will be left to provide mast for wildlife, and cutting will be allowed on a selective basis in the future, when such cutting is financially desirable and is in the best interest of a more healthy forest. Low quality trees may be girdled to provide snag trees if deficient in this stand.
1999 Plan Addendum for Stand Stand 4
STAND 4 -17 Acres
The original recommendations for this stand should be followed. Some ice damage was noted in the north portion of this stand. Areas where recreational trails are planned will need removal of debris and leaning trees. A wildlife thinning to release mountain ash, red oak and beech while girdling low quality and undesirable species is noted in the original plan. Soils are Monadnock-Hermon, Berkshire and Tunbridge-Lyman.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN: STAND # 5
3. Stand Description: Stand # 5 consists of an estimated seventeen (17) acres of hardwood forest including sugar maple, yellow birch, white birch, beech, red oak, and white ash. The forester has classified the stand as H2,3B. The stand is located in the northeast corner of the property, below the southeast slope from the mountain summit. Very few softwoods exist in this stand. The stand was partially harvested during the 1988 cutting, but continues to be well stocked. The elevation of this stand varies from 1100 feet to near 1600 feet. The upper portion of this stand includes the scenic overlook of Joe's Ledges, off the southeast slope of First Mountain summit. The old orange blazed AMC trail from Gates Cottage passes through the center of this stand. The stand is bordered on the north by timberland of Boise-Cascade, and on the east by Gutowski forest under easement protection. Wildlife openings, a result of the 1988 cut, are found in the south portion of the stand. For "In Current Use Classification" this stand is best classified as "Hardwood".
4. Recommended Treatment For Stand: The forester has advised that this stand requires no treatment over the next ten years.
5. Management Goals For Stand: The stand will be left as is, with monitoring of the wildlife openings to insure that the browse has not outgrown access by wildlife. Maintenance of herbaceous growth and an understory shall be a priority in this stand. The steep terrain will allow for hiking trails, but may not be suitable for cross country skiing without extreme switchbacks. Stand will be evaluated for possible ski access to the First Mountain summit. The old AMC trail will be maintained and improved and will be incorporated into the property's trail system. The red oak and beech will be left to provide mast for wildlife, and cutting of any hardwood will be allowed on a selective basis in the future, when such cutting is financially desirable and is in the best interest of a more healthy forest. Low quality trees may be girdled to provide snag trees if deficient in this stand.
1999 Plan Addendum for Stand 5
STAND 5 -17 Acres
This stand was heavily damaged by the ice storm. Live crown damage ranged from 50-100%. The original plan was to manage this stand for wildlife and recreation, as in Stand 4. The trail to the summit of First Mountain is covered with debris from the ice storm which needs to be removed. Wildlife improvement similar to Stand 4 is noted in the original plan. Brush piles could be built with removed debris from the trail clearing to further improve the stated. wildlife goal. Soils are Monadnock-Hermon, Marlow-Tunbridge and Peru.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN: STAND # 6
3. Stand Description: Stand # 6 consists of twenty five (25) acres, as estimated by the UNH extension agent forester, of hardwood forest predominantly of red oak. This large stand lies below and along the ledges on the west corner of the property, directly below the mountain summit. Elevation varies from 1100 feet to 1600 feet and includes walls of sheer rock. The forester has classified the forest stand as H3A, with an over stocking of sawlog trees. The forester has advised that the timber in this stand is inaccessible, due to the presence of massive boulders, ledges, and steep slopes. A large boulder field exists at the bottom of the ledges.
4. Recommended Treatment For Stand: The forester has recommended that this stand be classified as Unproductive and that no action be taken in this stand.
5. Management Goals For Stand: The stand, identified as thirty five (35) acres which also includes acreage of Stand #4, will be requested to be classified as "Unproductive Land" for "In Current Use" assessment in 1996 and will be allowed to remain in a natural, unaltered state. Management of this stand will be limited to release of mountain ash where appropriate, insuring adequate cavity nesting trees, and plotting of a hiking or ski trail through the southern portion of the stand. A climbing route for access to First Mountain summit will be established on the cliff/ledges. The overstocking of timber will be allowed to continue, with all cutting for the purposes of release of mountain ash or mast trees. No timber will be harvested from this stand.
1999 Plan Addendum for Stand 6
STAND 6 - 25 Acres
This stand is classified as unproductive in current use assessment. It is inaccessible to logging equipment due to steep and rocky terrain in all but the southern portion of the stand. Skid trails in this area, from Stand 2, are in need of erosion control work and seeding. Plans to plot a recreational trail through the southern portion to provide a rock climbing route to the summit will require some debris removal caused by the ice storm in the northern portion of trail. The trail through Stand 5 to Joe's Ledges, just below the summit of First Mountain, provides a spectacular view and travels through the northern portion of this stand. Brush piles made from trail clearing would provide additional wildlife benefits, also a goal in this stand. Soils are mainly Lyman-Tunbridge in the north and Monadnock-Herman in the southwest.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN: STAND # 7
3. Stand Description: Stand # 7 consists of an estimated fifteen (15) acres of softwood forest consisting of an equal mixture of white pine, red pine, spruce, balsam fir, and hemlock. The forester has classified this stand as S3B, and consists primarily of mature sawlog trees. The stand was thinned many years ago and remains excellently stocked. This stand is found on the summit of First Mountain and varies in elevation from 1,600 feet to 1,685 feet. The Department of Resources Deer Yard Map shows the summit and south face of First Mountain, down to the Androscoggin River, as one of four deer yards in Shelburne. It is believed that the deer yard continues to exist on the mountain's summit, but that deer were displaced by moose wintering on that stand during the winter of 1994-1995. Excellent view sites and vistas overlooking the Androscoggin River Valley exist at the front of the stand and provide views of Mount Washington and surrounding peaks on clear days. This forest stand includes a significant number of older snag trees and numerous flickers and woodpeckers are supported in the stand. The percentage of white pine in this stand is not dominant and for "In Current Use Classification" the stand is best classified as "All Other". The stand is bordered on the west by Judge's land, and on the north by Stand # 8 of hardwoods, and on the east by timberland of Boise-Cascade. The stand also includes a number of mature beech trees, oaks, and other hardwoods.
4. Recommended Treatment For Stand: The forester has advised that no action is required in this stand over the next ten years. Preservation of the deer yard should be the highest priority.
5. Management Goals For Stand: This stand will be preserved in its present condition and no logging will be permitted in the next ten year period. Limited cutting of selective sawlogs may be permitted after 2005, only if such cutting is warranted to preserve the health of the stand. Access to the stand for timber cutting is practical only through Boise-Cascade access. Hiking trails will be plotted in this stand, but will be designed to cause minimal interference to the deer yard. Hiking access is available from the old AMC trail along the property's eastern border, but skiing access to this stand may be impractical unless a ski trail passes through Boise-Cascade timberland. Some cutting of low value trees may be conducted at the front of the stand to improve the vista sites. The existing snag/cavity trees will be preserved as a benefit to wildlife, as well as the hardwood beech and oaks. Bear sign and bear nests were observed in the beech in this stand, as well as evidence of deer and moose browsing.
1999 Plan Addendum for Stand 7
STAND 7 -15 Acres
This stand was heavily damaged by the ice storm with 50-100% live crown damage, mostly to hardwood. It is an important cover type, shown as a deer yard on Fish & Game maps. Hiking trails are planned in this stand that will cause minimal interference to the deer yard. Views to the south are outstanding, including Mt. Washington. Brush piles built from the debris and trees cut to build the trail and improve the views will help improve the wildlife habitat. Release of mountain ash and other wildlife trees and shrubs is advised. Soil is Marlow-Tunbridge.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN: STAND # 8
3. Stand Description: Stand # 8 consists of an estimated four (4) acres of hardwood forest consisting of beech, yellow birch, white birch, American mountain ash, and striped maple. The forester has classified this stand as H2,3A, with a mixture of poletimber and sawtimber. The stand is overstocked. This stand is on the north side of First Mountain and slopes to the north from an elevation of 1,640 feet down to 1,580 feet. Middle Mountain Trail passes along the northern boundary of this stand and passes into the stand over a course of 200 to 300 feet. The road is used by Boise-Cascade as a logging road for access to Middle Mountain. Boise-Cascade conducted a harvest along this area in the fall of 1994, or winter of 1995, and created ruts and downed trees in that portion of the road which passes into this stand. A very old horse skid trail originates at the Middle Mountain Road and proceeds south west through the stand. A series of rock ledges overlook the Middle Mountain Road at the north end of the stand and are covered by ferns and lichens. This stand tends to remain colder and wetter than all other stands on the property. For "In Current Use Classification" the stand is best classified as "All Other".
4. Recommended Treatment For Stand: The forester has recommended that this stand be weeded and thinned in portions of the stand to ensure the survival and accelerated growth of preferred trees. American mountain ash trees should be released to increase their value to wildlife as a food source. This thinning should be accomplished by 2001.
5. Management Goals For Stand: This stand will be preserved in its present condition until 1998 when a thinning and releasing program shall be initiated, to be concluded by 2001. The thinning may result in fuelwood for the residence, or may require limited cutting of selective sawlogs. The primary target of weeding removal will be low value and poorly formed or suppressed trees. Access to the stand for timber cutting will be difficult and is practical for sawlog removal only through Boise-Cascade access. Hiking trails will also be plotted in this stand, but will be designed to cause minimal interference to the deer yard in adjoining Stand # 7. Hiking access is available from the old AMC trail along the property's eastern border. The existing snag/cavity trees will be preserved as a benefit to wildlife. The striped maple will be preserved as browse where the stocking is low enough, and the existing mountain ash will be released as directed.
1999 Plan Addendum for Stand 8
STAND 8 - 4 Acres
This stand is similar to Stand 7. Ice damage is also heavy in this stand (50-100% of live crowns). Middle Mountain Trail passes through this stand, once used for logging by Boise-Cascade, the northern abutter. An agreement with Boise-Cascade for a right of way should be discussed to provide management access for Stands 7 and 8. Removal of debris from the trail, as well as an old skid road leading into Stand 7, will provide a nice recreational trail to the summit from the north. Soil is Peru.
NOTE: ORIGINAL STAND DESCRIPTIONS AMENDED ON 2-15-96.
The stand map as prepared by the UNH extension agent was overlaid on a one acre square grid map of the First Mountain Property. The stand map prepared by Sam Stoddard was based upon aerial photo research and a brief surface exploration of the property. Based upon the new analysis utilizing the one acre square grid map, the following adjustments were made to the original stand descriptions submitted in this plan.
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