Dead timber to be cut

Twenty-four thousand cubic feet of fire-killed timber is scheduled for harvest from the Pole Creek Burn west of Sisters.

The Sisters Ranger District recently announced its intention to salvage trees from the 18-acre burn, which consumed forest "with unusual intensity" in June 1997, according to Forest Service reports.

Reforestation of the charred site will follow the harvest.

The intensity and early-season occurrence of the blaze caused a unique phenomenon that may have spared larger trees from the saw blades.

Considerable damage occurred at the tops of these larger trees, but the fire left much of the live growth at the tips of the branches unscathed.

This prompted foresters to engage in a living experiment.

Under normal conditions, this type of treetop damage could result in a high level of die-off within three to five years. However, the remaining needle growth may give the trees a chance to survive.

"Retention of those fire-damaged trees will give us an opportunity to increase our knowledge of fire survival of ponderosa pine," said District Ranger Bill Anthony in a letter to interested citizens.

The Forest Service will monitor the survival of approximately 26 ponderosa pines greater than 21 inches in diameter.

New trees will be planted in the burned area after some of the dead and dying timber is removed.

Anthony feels this will give the forest a better chance of survival than not taking any action.

"Trees that survived the fire will continue to provide habitat as the new stand develops, and the planted trees will result in a more rapid return to a healthy, growing forest in the future," Anthony said.

Acknowledging the public sensitivity to timber harvesting, Anthony believes the proposal is "environmentally sensitive and sensible, while also recovering some (wood) products of value to our society."

The decision to harvest the Pole Creek Burn may be appealed in writing to the Deschutes National Forest until the close of business on May 11.

Comments and questions should be directed to either Alan Heath or Bill Anthony of the Sisters Ranger District at 549-2111.