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Author(s):
Eini C. Lowell, Susan A. Willits, Robert L. Krahmer
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Effects
Ecological - Second Order
Wildlife
Fire & Wildlife
Invertebrates
Mountain pine beetles
Management Approaches
Post-fire Management
Salvage Logging
Ecosystem(s):
Subalpine wet spruce-fir forest, Subalpine dry spruce-fir forest, Montane wet mixed-conifer forest, Montane dry mixed-conifer forest

NRFSN number: 11159
FRAMES RCS number: 357
Record updated:

Fire-killed and fire-damaged timber are an important source of fiber and are becoming more important because of a decrease in the land base available for timber harvest. Forest managers need to know the causes of deterioration and degrade, the expected losses in product volume and value, and the impact of time on deterioration. This report reviews the literature on rate of deterioration for tree species found in the Western United States, the factors that influence rate of deterioration, and the agents primarily responsible for volume and value loss. Because beetles are the primary insect responsible for some deterioration, literature on beetle-killed trees is incorporated. Also, estimating rate of survival of fire-damaged trees is reviewed. Knowledge of rates of deterioration will assist in preparing harvest plans, environmental impact statements, and timber appraisals in fire-damaged and fire-killed stands.

Citation

Lowell, E.C.; Willits, S.A.; Krahmer, R.L. 1992. Deterioration of fire-killed and fire-damaged timber in the Western United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-292. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 27 p.

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