Pacific Southwest

Title: Reducing fire hazard in ponderosa pine thinning slash by mechanical crushing

Author: Dell, John R.; Ward, Franklin R.

Date: 1969

Source: Res. Paper PSW-RP-57. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest & Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture; 9 p.

Station ID: RP-PSW-057

Description: Precommercial thinning in ponderosa pine stands in the Western United States is a growing practice. Thinning slash can, however, be a serious fire hazard in dry areas. Crushing and compacting this slash may be one way of reducing the hazard. Three types of mechanical crushers were tested on the Deschutes National Forest, Oregon. Results indicate that at least one of these methods of mechanical crushing is effective for lessening the fire hazard in thinning slash, and can be done at reasonable costs.

Keywords: Pinus ponderosa, precommercial thinning, hazard reduction, fuel treatment, slash disposal, forest protection, fire prevention

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Citation

Dell, John R.; Ward, Franklin R.  1969.  Reducing fire hazard in ponderosa pine thinning slash by mechanical crushing.   Res. Paper PSW-RP-57. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest & Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture; 9 p..