Douglas D. Piirto

Valuation of Tree Aesthetics on Small Urban-Interface Properties

Richard Thompson et al. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:54:13 PST

A model was developed to predict the value contribution of forest condition on small urban-wildland interface properties. Sample data were collected on property transactions in the Lake Tahoe Basin of California between 1990 and 1994. A variant of the stand density index (SDI) and a tree health measure were added to a list of traditional property characteristics (i.e., location, house size, lot size) to express the influence of tree care on property value. These aesthetic characteristics were statistically significant despite the expected dominant influence of the traditional characteristics. Values for the forest density and health characteristics were estimated and reveal a contribution to property value between 5% and 20%.

An Ecological Basis for Managing Giant Sequoia Ecosystems

Douglas D. Piirto et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:58 PST

A strategy for management of giant sequoia groves is formulated using a conceptual framework for ecosystem management recently developed by Region Five of the USDA Forest Service. The framework includes physical, biological, and social dimensions. Environmental indicators and reference variability for key ecosystem elements are discussed in this paper. The selected ecosystem elements include: 1) attitudes, beliefs, and values; 2) economics and subsistence; 3) stream channel morphology; 4) sediment; 5) water; 6) fire; 7) organic debris; and 8) vegetation mosaic. Recommendations are made for the attributes of environmental indicators that characterize these elements. These elements and associated indicators will define and control management activities for the protection, preservation, and restoration of national forest giant sequoia ecosystems.

Estimating Value Contribution of Tree and Stand Condition

R. Joss Hanna et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:48 PST

Key issues in encouraging forest management at the interface level in the oak woodlands are fire abatement, stand improvement, infection reduction, and hazard tree removal. The development of effective management prescriptions for stand improvement and economic returns provide guidance for homeowners, appraisers, and realtors. The purpose of this research project was to determine the effects of stand characteristics (e.g., structure, density and health) on the value of urban/interface forested properties. In this study, the forest characteristic coefficients were statistically significant with an estimated value contribution of about $30,000 each, or over 22 percent of the median property’s value ($262,079).

Giant Sequoia Insect, Disease, and Ecosystem Interactions

Douglas D. Piirto — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:43 PST

Individual trees of giant sequoia (Sequoia gigantea [Lindl.] Decne.) have demonstrated a capacity to attain both a long life and very large size. It is not uncommon to find old-growth giant sequoia trees in their native range that are 1,500 years old and over 15 feet in diameter at breast height. The ability of individual giant sequoia trees to survive over such long periods of time has often been attributed to the species high resistance to disease, insect, and fire damage. Such a statement, however, is a gross oversimplification, given broader ecosystem and temporal interactions. For example, why isn't there a greater representation of young-growth giant sequoia trees throughout the mixed-conifer belt of the Sierra Nevadas? What other factors, in addition to physical site characteristics, limit giant sequoia to its present range and grove boundaries? How does fire and fire frequency affect disease and insect interrelationships in the giant sequoia/ mixed-conifer ecosystem? Are current forest management strategies (e.g., fire suppression, prescribed burning programs) affecting these interactions? Giant sequoia trees are subject to the same natural forces (e.g., insect and disease organisms) as other tree species. An attempt is made in this paper to discuss some of the more common insect and disease associates of giant sequoia and their significance in relation to the more complex temporal (e.g., succession, aging and other time related events) and ecosystem inter-relationships at work in the giant sequoia/mixed-conifer ecosystem.

Poria Incrassata in Giant Sequoia

Douglas D. Piirto et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:39 PST

Central California Oak Residue Utilization and Marketing: Better Hardwood Management from Improved Utilization

Timothy G. O'Keefe et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:34 PST

Limited information and observations indicate that there are some significant amounts of hardwood residue resources now available in the Central Coast area. Experience gained from managing and marketing eastern hardwoods is considered as our basis for dealing with western hardwood problems.

Inventory of the oak resource is discussed as a preliminary requirement for management. In addition, hardwood marketing, research and extension needs are also considered.

Evidence indicates that western hardwood use will be improved by better funded programs of research and extension in residue utilization and marketing. Improved hardwood utilization will yield both direct and indirect benefits. Direct benefits include additional, better quality wood at lower consumer cost and increased tax receipts. Other, indirect benefits include improved hardwood forest management, better fire management, and improved multiple resource management for watershed, range and recreation values.

Structure and development of pitch canker infected Monterey pine stands at Ano Nuevo, California

Douglas D. Piirto et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:30 PST

The sustainability of indigenous Monterey pine (Pinus radiata D. Don)at Ano Nuevo stands in the central coast of California was examined. The foremost management objective in these stands is to establish and maintain stand structures that ensure a sustainable presence of the species in terms of uneven-aged management. The major threats are the proliferation of shade-tolerant tree species and the pitch canker ( Fusarium circinatum) disease. The study was based on data from 17 systematically placed sample plots, measured once, in one stand with a very high degree of variation in stand structure and species composition. The results indicated that the sustainability of Monterey pine is not assured by existing stand structures. Monterey pine regeneration is almost completely lacking. Intensive shading and competition from high stand densities of shade-tolerant broadleaf trees are inhibiting regeneration, and growth of seedlings and saplings. Pitch canker is affecting growth, vigor, and competitive status of Monterey pine, but its progress and long-term impact remain unknown. Single tree or group selection cuttings, combined with treatments that enhance regeneration, are urgently required for the promotion of Monterey pine.

Cost-Effective Wilderness Fire Management: A Case Study in Southern California

Christian A. Childers et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:26 PST

Federal wilderness fire management policies have been scrutinized since the catastrophic fires in the Greater Yellowstone Area in 1988. While wilderness tire management objectives are still aimed at recreating natural fire regimes, all USDA Forest Service fire management programs must be cost-effective. Since current Forest Service economic analyses do not fully represent the value of fire to wilderness, a cost-effectiveness analysis was developed to compare wilderness fire management options. The analytical procedure is briefly reviewed, illustrated through a southern California case study and case study results are discussed. These results suggest that containment of some tires may be more cost-effective than current control-oriented practices.

Communicating the Role of Science in Managing Giant Sequoia Groves

Douglas D. Piirto et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:20 PST

Management of giant sequoia groves has been and continues to be a hotly debated issue. The debate has reached Congress, with all parties seeking resolution as to what constitutes an ecologically and publicly acceptable management approach. Determining the correct management approach and communicating that approach to the general public is the crux of the problem. Emerging concepts and principles of forest ecosystem management may provide a mechanism to seek resolution of these management problems related to giant sequoia.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the members of the recently formed Giant Sequoia Ecology Cooperative provided the impetus for the development of this first working paper, which attempts to: 1) describe the historical events that led to much of the controversy surrounding management of giant sequoia groves; and 2) propose three management goals to guide development of best management practices for giant sequoia groves.

Wood of Giant Sequoia: Properties and Unique Characteristics

Douglas D. Piirto — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:15 PST

Wood properties of giant sequoia (Sequoia gigantea [Lindl.] Decne.) were compared with those for other coniferous tree species. Wood properties such as specific gravity, various mechanical properties, extractive content, and decay resistance of young-growth giant sequoia are comparable to or more favorable than those of coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens [D. Don] Endl.). It is recommended that giant sequoia be considered for planting stock in managed production forests to increase future supplies of wood having the characteristics so highly valued in coast redwood and other decay-resistant species

Efficacy of Herbicide Application Methods Used to Control Tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) in an Uneven-Aged Coast Redwood Management Context

Douglas D. Piirto et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:11 PST

Three methods of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus [Hook. & Arn.] Rehd.) control involving the application of the amine or ester form of triclopyr were evaluated in this coast redwood uneven-aged forest management study of herbicides. A cut-stump application with the amine form of triclopyr (Garlon 3A), frill cut with the amine form of triclopyr, basal-bark (outer surface) with the ester form of triclopyr (Garlon 4), and an untreated control were replicated three times. The tanoak control results in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) and/ or coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens [D. Don] Endl.) predominated stands obtained in earlier studies in northern California and Oregon appear to be similar to the results of this study obtained in Santa Cruz County coast redwood stands. The need for tanoak control in an uneven-aged forest management context is discussed.

Fomes Annosus in Giant Sequoia

Douglas D. Piirto et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:06 PST

Fire Regimes and Resultant Forest Structure in Native Ano Nuevo Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) Forest, California

Scott L. Stephens et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:03 PST

Native Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) forests occur in five populations on the west coast of North America. High severity fire has been reported to be the main disturbance agent that initiates seedling establishment for this species. To investigate the impacts of fire in this ecosystem, age structure and fire history data were collected from the native Ano Nuevo Monterey pine forest near Santa Cruz California. Stump cross-sections were removed from 10 randomly placed openings, and each was dated to determine tree age and fire history. Average mean fire return intervals were 11.2-20.1 y. Fifty-one percent of the Monterey pine trees in all openings regenerated within 5 y of three mixed severity fires. This was well below the predicted value of 75% that was based on the literature and life history characteristic of Monterey pine. A fire in 1948 produced the largest Monterey pine regeneration episode, and this fire was verified by written records. Monterey pine forests are multi-aged and have a great amount of spatial heterogeneity, attributes common in mixed severity fire regimes. Monterey pine has morphological characteristics of a fire evader and fire resistor and may be more appropriately classified in an intermediate category.

Cost-Effective Fire Management for Southern California's Chaparral Wilderness: An Analytical Procedure

Chris A. Childers et al. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:27:57 PST

Fire management has always meant fire suppression to the managers of the chaparral covered southern California National Forests. Today, Forest Service fire management programs must be cost effective, while wilderness fire management objectives are aimed at recreating natural fire regimes. A cost-effectiveness analysis has been developed to compare fire management options for meeting these objectives in California's chaparral wilderness. This paper describes the analytical procedure using examples from a study currently being conducted for the Los Padres National Forest, and discusses some preliminary results.

Perceptions of Agriculture and Natural Resource M.S. Graduates Regarding Program Quality and Learning Outcomes Attainment

Mark D. Shelton et al. — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:22:43 PDT

Master's degree recipients from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly State University were surveyed to assess 1) their satisfaction with the M.S. program, and 2) the extent to which key learning outcomes were attained. Emphasis was placed on the graduate's perception of the value of their thesis or creative project experience in developing technical competency and skills in communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and decision making.

CAFES M.S. alumni were generally positive in their perception of the graduate program, though written comments indicated dissatisfaction with various program aspects among some graduates. Most respondents felt their professionally related skills (e.g. communication, leadership, problem-solving, etc.) were enhanced by their graduate school experience.

Students who completed a thesis reported significantly higher levels of skill development in writing, analytical methods, and research competency, compared to non-thesis students. Further, the educational value and challenge of a written thesis were considered significantly greater by students than for creative projects or internships.

Most respondents were satisfied with faculty mentoring and considered the M.S. program helpful in career advancement.