Specifications for Tree Topping Contract

Target Tree Details 

*If no Operating Season is shown, there is no restriction on the unit.  These restrictions apply to the use of power tools, such as chainsaws, but not to hand tools. 

1.      Trees to be topped are in partially cut or uncut forests.

2.      Some work areas may be located behind locked gates, guardrails, earth berms, or other road blocking items.  Some work areas may be accessible at certain times only by snowmobile, ATV, or four-wheel drive vehicles.  A guardrail wrench may be obtained from the District Office or from the Contract Officer’s Representative (COR).

  Tree Topping 

A.                 All live trees to be topped will be selected by the Contractor.  Contractor shall select only trees with live tops that appear generally healthy.  Do not select residual old growth trees, forked trees, trees with dead tops, diseased or dying trees (trees estimated to be dead within five years), or trees currently showing wildlife use (i.e., trees with woodpecker holes).

B.                 Top only Douglas-fir and hemlocks.  Do not top western red cedar, western white pine, or any other species in any of the units.

C.                 Unless otherwise specified by the COR, topped trees will be evenly distributed throughout the unit.  Spacing between topped trees shall be approximately the distance listed in the following table with the following exception- 30% of the topped trees in the units will be clumped, not more than three topped trees in a clump.

D.                 Selected trees shall be at least one and one-half tree lengths (average total height of site potential tree) from a Forest Service system road, where possible.  In units along system roads top trees as far as is feasible from roads.  Temporary roads and/or skid roads are not system roads.

E.                  Some units have adjacent no-cut areas set aside as a small stand of reserve trees representative of the harvested unit.  These areas are about 10-15% of the size of the harvested units. 

F.                  All topped trees should have a DBH range that is representative of the most common DBH’s of the immediate stand, excluding any residual old growth trees.  General DBH ranges for each unit are shown in the table below and should be used as a guide*.

*Due to safety issues or natural variation in stand sizes, there may be instances where topping would need to occur above or below this range.  Trees chosen for snag creation should be representative of the most common DBH’s of the stand.  Check the Unit Specifications for specific information on conditions in individual units.

G.                 Topping must occur above at least the lowest two live branch whorls and should occur below at least the seventh lowest live branch whorl.  A whorl is defined as consisting of at least two live, green branches that are in a circular arrangement around the stem of the tree.  Do not count small individual branches that are not representative of the typical branch diameter within the stand.  Trees will be topped at a minimum height of 40 feet.

H.                 Once tree is topped, Contractor shall make several saw cuts across the cut top of the tree, two cuts per inch of diameter.  Cuts should be 2-3 inches deep.  This is to simulate a broken top.

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 Specific sign types and numbering systems will be described at the pre-work meeting.   

I.                    Each topped tree shall be marked by the Contractor with yellow waterproof spray paint in all units.  The mark on each topped tree shall be a solid yellow band all around the trunk of the tree at approximately breast height, visible from all sides.  In addition, each topped tree will be tagged with an identifying sign and number on a side that is clearly visible to inspectors.  Signs will be attached by at least two 3-inch aluminum siding nails nailed into each sign.    Each sign will have written on it:

1.      Name of sale

2.      Unit number

3.      Number of tree

4.      Date of topping

Example-         

Bonanza Unit 8

Tree #17

                           8/10/07

J.                   Each topped tree will be numbered within each unit.  The Contractor will fill out tree registers and map topped trees on unit maps prior to final inspection.