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Harvest Area Shape and Size
Issue:
The shape and size of harvest areas may have an impact on visual quality.
Objective:
Minimize the visual impact caused by timber harvesting.
Considerations:
- Small and irregularly shaped harvest areas.
- Viewsheds
Avoid:
the appearance of large clearcut harvest areas in view of major travel routes, commercial and residential areas, recreational areas, and viewsheds. |
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Use SMZs or natural features
to develop aesthetic
management zones.
Photo: Westvaco Corporation |
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Disperse harvest areas to create
diversity and allow for a greenup period.
Photo: Westvaco Corporation |
| Recommended Practices: Clearcutting |
Level #1: Least Sensitive
- Disperse clearcuts to create diversity and allow for a greenup period before harvesting adjacent parcels.
Level #2: Moderately Sensitive
- Disperse harvest areas on large blocks and allow for a greenup period before harvesting adjacent parcels.
- Create small and irregularly shaped harvest areas.
- Use streamside management zones (SMZs) or natural features, such as terrain or remaining timber stands, to develop aesthetic management zones.
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Level #3: Most Sensitive
- Disperse harvest areas on large blocks and allow for a greenup period before harvesting adjacent parcels.
- Create small and irregularly shaped harvest areas.
- Use SMZs or natural features, such as terrain or remaining timber stands, to develop aesthetic management zones.
- Minimize portion of harvest area directly adjacent to travel routes.
- Consider feathering edges of residual stands adjacent to clearcut areas.
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The apparent size of clearcuts can be minimized by not harvesting redgelines.
Photo: American Pulpwood Association |
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Islands of trees left within harvest areas break up the visual effect of clearcutting.
Photo: Westvaco Corporation |
Recommended Practices: Thinning/Selection
All Levels:
The Shape and size of harvest areas where thinning or selection is the harvest method are usually not significant.
School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences Extension
602 Duncan Drive · Auburn University, Alabama 36849
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