OAR 629-610-0020: Reforestation Stocking Standards

(1) The landowner shall increase tree stocking to a level that meets the applicable productivity-based stocking standards described in sections (4), (5) and (6) of this rule within the time limits established by OAR 629-610-0040 whenever post-operation free to grow tree stocking in all or a portion of the operation area is below the applicable stocking standards and: (a) Trees or snags of acceptable species are harvested; or (b) Free to grow tree stocking is reduced as a result of the operation. (2) Reforestation is not required on those portions of the operation area: (a) Where adequate free to grow tree stocking remains after the completion of the operation; (b) That are not disturbed by operation activities; or (c) On soils or sites not meeting the minimum productivity requirements of OAR 629-610-0010. (3) The State Forester shall approve a plan for an alternate practice to waive or modify the reforestation requirements following a stand improvement operation such as a precommercial thinning, commercial thinning, overstory removal, or other partial cut harvest if the State Forester determines that the residual stand conditions after such an operation will result in enhanced long-term tree growth and there is a high probability the purpose of the reforestation rules will be achieved. (4) For Cubic Foot Site Class I, II and III forestlands (capable of producing at least 120 cubic feet per acre per year at culmination of mean annual increment), the minimum tree stocking standards are: (a) 200 free to grow seedlings per acre; or (b) 120 free to grow saplings and poles per acre; or (c) 80 square feet of basal area per acre of free to grow trees 11-inches DBH and larger; or (d) An equivalent combination of seedlings, saplings and poles, and larger trees as calculated in section (7) of this rule. (5) For Cubic Foot Site Class IV and V forestlands (capable of producing between 50 and 119 cubic feet per acre per year at culmination of mean annual increment), the minimum tree stocking standards are: (a) 125 free to grow seedlings per acre; or (b) 75 free to grow saplings and poles per acre; or (c) 50 square feet of basal area per acre of free to grow trees 11-inches DBH and larger; or (d) An equivalent combination of seedlings, saplings and poles, and larger trees as calculated in section (7) of this rule. (6) For Cubic Foot Site Class VI forestlands (capable of producing between 20 and 49 cubic feet per acre per year at culmination of mean annual increment), the minimum tree stocking standards are: (a) 100 or more free to grow seedlings per acre; or (b) 60 free to grow saplings and poles per acre; or (c) 40 square feet of basal area per acre of free to grow trees 11-inches DBH and larger; or (d) An equivalent combination of seedlings, saplings and poles, and larger trees as calculated in section (7) of this rule. (7) In both even-aged and uneven-aged stands, the stocking of residual seedlings, saplings and poles, and larger trees shall be weighted to determine stand stocking and potential reforestation requirements. For this purpose, seedlings, saplings and poles, and trees 11-inches DBH and larger are proportionally equivalent in the following ratios: 100 free to grow seedlings are equivalent to 60 free to grow saplings and poles, which are equivalent to 40 square feet of basal area of free to grow trees 11-inches DBH and larger. (8) Live conifer trees 11-inches DBH and larger left standing in harvested areas to meet the green tree and snag retention requirements of ORS 527.676 shall be counted towards meeting the tree stocking standards if the trees are free to grow. (9) For the purposes of determining compliance with the tree stocking requirements of the reforestation rules, tree stocking in riparian management areas within an operation area will be considered separately from stocking in the rest of the operation area. (10) Landowners may submit plans for alternate practices that do not conform to the reforestation stocking levels established under these rules. A plan for alternate practices may be approved if the State Forester determines that there is a high probability that the purpose of the reforestation rules will be achieved, or if the plan carries out an authorized research project conducted by a public agency or educational institution.