HomeMy WebLinkAboutGlennallen Forest Resource on State Forest Lands in the Copper River Basin Preliminary Estimate 03-01-2010
FOREST RESOURCES
ON STATE FOREST LANDS
IN THE COPPER RIVER BASIN
A PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
By
Douglas Hanson, Inventory Forester
State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry Northern Region
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
March, 2010
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 1
II. Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 3
III. Methods ................................................................................................................................... 3
A. Imagery Sources ................................................................................................................... 3
B. Vegetation Typing ............................................................................................................... 4
C. Field Inventory Design ........................................................................................................ 5
D. Geographic Information System Coverage .......................................................................... 5
E. Data Summary ..................................................................................................................... 5
F. Description of Strata ............................................................................................................ 9
1. Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber ................................................................................. 9
2. Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed ................................................................... 10
3. Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open ..................................................................... 10
4. Stratum 4 Black and White Spruce Reproduction Closed ............................................. 10
5. Stratum 5 Black and White Spruce Reproduction Open ................................................ 11
6. Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber Closed .............................................................................. 12
7. Stratum 7 White Spruce-Aspen Poletimber ................................................................... 12
8. Stratum 8 White Spruce-Balsam Poplar ......................................................................... 13
9. Non-Forest ...................................................................................................................... 13
IV. Results ................................................................................................................................... 15
A. Forest Volume Definitions ................................................................................................. 15
B. Inventory Volume by Species ............................................................................................ 16
C. Defect Estimates by Species .............................................................................................. 17
D. Inventory Volume by Strata ............................................................................................... 18
A. Inventory Volume of Sapling Size Trees ........................................................................... 20
B. Sampling Error by Volume ................................................................................................ 21
C. Log Grade .......................................................................................................................... 22
V. Forest Productivity ................................................................................................................ 23
A. Site Index ........................................................................................................................... 23
B. Timberland Area Age Class ............................................................................................... 23
C. Regeneration ...................................................................................................................... 25
D. Growth and Mortality Estimates ........................................................................................ 25
E. Sustained Yield Analysis ................................................................................................... 27
VI. Economic Availability of Sustainable Biomass Fuels ........................................................... 29
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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A. Current Delivered Costs ..................................................................................................... 29
B. Biomass Volume for Five Working Circles ....................................................................... 29
C. Annual Biomass Yield for Five Working Circles .............................................................. 30
VII. Literature Cited ...................................................................................................................... 39
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Inventory volume and acreage summary. ........................................................................ 1
Table 2. Land cover key. ................................................................................................................ 6
Table 3. Acreage and number of sampled stands by strata. ............................................................ 6
Table 4. Sampled and un-sampled timber types by strata. ............................................................. 7
Table 5. Volume formulas by species for poletimber and sawtimber size classes. ...................... 15
Table 6. Inventory species and weight for poletimber and sawtimber. ........................................ 16
Table 7. Total net volume across all strata. .................................................................................. 16
Table 8. Volume summary by size class and species across strata. .............................................. 17
Table 9. Cubic foot defect estimates by species. .......................................................................... 18
Table 10. Volume by stratum and species. ................................................................................... 19
Table 11. Inventory sapling species and weight regression equations. ........................................ 20
Table 12. Volume summary by stratum and sapling species 2” - 4.9” dbh. ................................. 21
Table 13. Gross live cubic foot percent sampling error. ............................................................... 22
Table 14. Log grade for stratum 1 white spruce trees. .................................................................. 22
Table 15. Site index by stratum and species. ................................................................................ 23
Table 16. Percent of area by age class. ......................................................................................... 24
Table 17. Average age by strata. ................................................................................................... 25
Table 18. Number of trees per acre less than 5 inches dbh by stratum and species. .................... 26
Table 19. Growth and mortality estimates. ................................................................................... 27
Table 20. Sustained yield estimate, total timberland area. ........................................................... 28
Table 21. Delivered costs and mileage for firewood sources. ...................................................... 29
Table 22. Glennallen area working circle operable acreage and volume. .................................... 33
Table 23. Kenny Lake area working circle operable acreage and volume. .................................. 33
Table 24. Glennallen area working circle annual volume availability. ........................................ 35
Table 25. Kenny Lake area working circle annual volume availability. ...................................... 35
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Project area map. ............................................................................................................. 2
Figure 2. Stratum 2, white spruce poletimber closed, south of Tazlina lodge. ............................. 11
Figure 3. Stratum 3, white spruce poletimber open, north of Little Nelchina River. .................. 12
Figure 4. Stratum 4, black spruce-white spruce reproduction, west of Tolsona Creek. .............. 13
Figure 5. Stratum 7, white spruce-aspen poletimber, west of Tolsona Creek. ............................ 14
Figure 6. Non-forest dwarf shrub, north of Little Nelchina River. .............................................. 14
Figure 7. Percent of total net cubic foot volume by strata. ........................................................... 18
Figure 8. Sustained yield comparison between strata, total timberland area. ............................... 28
Figure 9. Ten mile circles and operable forestland around Glennallen. ....................................... 31
Figure 10. Ten mile circles and operable forestland around Kenny Lake. ................................... 32
Figure 11. Delivered price per cord by working circle radius. ..................................................... 34
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Figure 12. Delivered price per green ton by working circle radius. ............................................. 34
Figure 13. Cumulative acreage and volume availability by radii to Glennallen. ......................... 36
Figure 14. Cumulative acreage and volume availability by radii to Kenny Lake. ....................... 36
Figure 15. Supply curve for fuelwood in cords to Glennallen. ..................................................... 37
Figure 16. Supply curve for fuelwood in green tons to Glennallen. ............................................. 37
Figure 17. Supply curve for fuelwood in cords to Kenny Lake. ................................................... 38
Figure 18. Supply curve for fuelwood in green tons to Kenny Lake. ........................................... 38
APPENDICES
Appendix A Volume Per Acre and Total Volume by Stratum, Species and Size Class ............. A-1
Appendix B Stand Tables Per Acre by Stratum and Species ...................................................... B-1
Appendix C Log Grade by Stratum ............................................................................................ C-1
Appendix D Diameter/Height Relationships, Ten Year Growth, and Bark Thickness .............. D-1
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The inventory of timber and biomass resources on state lands classified for forestry use in the
Copper River Basin has been initiated in part by the need to support potential development of
biomass energy systems in this rural area of Alaska. Through funding provided by the Alaska
Energy Authority, State Division of Geologic and Geophysical Surveys, and State Division of
Forestry, a timber and biomass inventory has been conducted using satellite and aerial
photography, ground plots and other information sources. Automated eCognition object based
image classification software together with Summit Evolution stereo viewing software was used
to facilitate forest typing of individual stand polygons. The inventory provides detailed stand
type maps and internet mapping and querying capability. It is the first widespread stand based
inventory to be performed on state lands in the area and can be used by the Division of Forestry
(DOF) for general forest and fire management planning. State lands that are included have been
classified for forestry use through the Copper River Basin Area Plan. The volume data primarily
has been generated from timber stand data collected in September, 2009.
Inventory Area Land Classification
Acres
Timberland 219,550
Dwarf Forests 96,880
Non-Forest
Total Inventory Area: 435,657
119,227
Timberland Area by Timber Type Size Class
Sawtimber 6,756
Mixed Sawtimber/Poletimber 11,372
Poletimber 96,408
Reproduction
Total Timberland Area: 219,550
105,014
Timberland Area by Timber Type Species Class
White Spruce 6,756
Black Spruce/White Spruce 105,014
Aspen 11,738
White Spruce/Aspen 33,822
White Spruce/Balsam Poplar
Total Timberland Area: 219,550
11,372
Total Net Volume
Cubic Feet (> 5”dbh) Tons (> 5”dbh) Board Feet (> 9”dbh)
138,373,108 2,497,118 222,449,137
Table 1. Inventory volume and acreage summary.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Figure 1. Project area map.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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II. OBJECTIVES
The objective of this report is to provide reliable inventory data to assist in the management of
forest resources in the Copper River Basin. Determination of an operable land base, sustainable
harvest rate and harvest scheduling all require accurate volume data and geographically
referenced spatial locations of individual stands. This data, both in spatial and tabular form can
be used to assess the availability of timber and biomass resources and determine economic
viability of proposed harvest development activities. The inventory provides the following items
useful for development and planning:
• Spatially accurate stand polygons overlaid on geographically rectified photo base.
• Accurate acreage determination of forest cover.
• Statistically valid sampling design that produces a variety of tree and stand attributes.
• Field sampling of tree and stand productivity variables useful for determining
sustainable harvest rates.
• Internet GIS mapping access of spatial data with volume and acreage querying
capabilities.
• Biomass sustainability data to evaluate potential project development.
• Biomass resource information to supplement statewide energy atlas data.
III. METHODS
Forest inventory information was collected through a stratified random sampling design. The
project area was divided into subpopulations (timber types) in order to account for variation in
species composition, density and size class. Each timber type was then treated as a random
sample population. Timber types sampled included sawtimber, poletimber and reproduction
types, dwarf timber stands (mostly black spruce less than 25 feet tall at maturity) were not
sampled.
Timber types to be sampled were selected randomly through the Geographic Information System
(GIS). Access to stands was by foot and four-wheeler. A total of 48 stands were field sampled.
Timber cruise measurements from two additional stands from a previous Tanana Chiefs
Conference Native corporation inventory were also used for data compilation. The timber cruise
measurements from the 50 stands provide estimates of volume, stocking, defect and growth by
individual tree species. The 50 sample stands were deemed a minimum amount to determine a
preliminary volume estimate. The number of sample stands was limited by project funding.
Based on the calculated strata sample error values (table 13), it is estimated that 110 additional
stands would need to be sampled to reach a desired sample error for individual strata of 5%.
A. Imagery Sources
Scanned high altitude aerial photography at a scale of 1:60,000 and Spot 5 meter resolution
satellite imagery were used for the project. The date of the aerial photography was 1978 and the
date of the Spot scenes was 2003. The scanned color infrared photos were orthorectified,
georeferenced to the Spot scenes, and mosaiced into a series of east-west flight lines across the
project area. PCI image processing software was used for this process. Digital stereo epipolar
pairs were then created from the photos for the stereo interpretation process.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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B. Vegetation Typing
The vegetation interpretation process as originally conceived was to use the automated object
based image classification software eCognition to classify the Spot satellite scenes. Epipolar
pairs were to be created from the overlapping satellite scenes using PCI allowing a forester to
view the scenes in stereo and edit polygons created by eCognition in 3-D format. Polygon
editing would correct errors in stand height where eCognition classification is less accurate. By
correcting stand heights, the correlating size class calls of sawtimber, poletimber, reproduction or
dwarf timber types would be more accurate. For this project, Spot Corporation donated six Spot
5 scenes to demonstrate this technology. A test of this new technology was conducted by DOF
for the Tanana Valley in November of 2008 with good results. Unfortunately when eCognition
was first run on the Glennallen Spot scenes the results were less than satisfactory. Individual
polygon timber type delineation was not consistent across the scene and spruce and aspen stands
were being combined with other vegetation types. Upon closer examination it was found that the
scenes were acquired at a 5 meter pixel resolution versus 2.5 meter for the Tanana Valley scenes.
This reduction in resolution negatively affected the ability of eCognition to consistently classify
the major forest types of the Glennallen area.
Due to funding and time limitations that precluded acquiring new scenes at the desired 2.5 meter
resolution, 1978 scanned high altitude aerial photography at a scale of 1:60,000 was used for the
automated eCognition classification process. The best results were achieved when eCognition
was used to classify open and closed aspen, spruce and mixed stands and the non-forest
vegetation types. Stand size class delineation was applied to the types by viewing the photos in
stereo on a computer screen with Summit Evolution stereo viewing software. Spot images were
used as the base image to correct changes that occurred over time between 1978 and 2003.
Using the Spot images allowed for adjusting polygon boundaries to match changes in river
locations, housing development and other land use changes. The Spot images also allowed more
accurate delineation of the aspen timber types. The large outbreak of spruce bark beetles and
resulting spruce mortality that occurred in the region in the early 90’s was not visible on the
photos and was difficult to see on the Spot scenes. Ground sampling however reflected the
mortality and the volume estimates include this dead material. At the time of field sampling, the
bark beetle epidemic has mostly ended and there are few new trees that are infested.
Sawtimber, poletimber and reproduction stands were classified as timberland and represent the
areas of greater productivity. These stands are a component of a larger class of ground cover
called forestland. Forestland is defined as land that is at least 10% covered by trees. The other
component of Forestland; dwarf forests, generally comprise black spruce stands that are less than
25 feet tall at maturity. These stands were identified on the imagery, but were not field sampled.
It was determined that these stands currently were non-commercial even for the use of biomass.
Most of the trees were significantly less than 25 feet tall. Delineation of timber types was based
on tree species, size class and stand density. The most prevalent species determined the timber
type. In mixed timber types, the secondary species represented at least 30% density of the type
in question. Besides utilizing the stereo images to assign size class calls to the eCognition
classified vegetation, physical location of the stands in question contributed to the vegetation
classification process. For example, numerous spruce stands adjacent to the Tazlina and
Nelchina Rivers’ productive floodplain were classified sawtimber. Timber types along the
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Copper River Basin itself that occurred on small rises were classified either sawtimber or
poletimber because these growing sites were more productive.
C. Field Inventory Design
The variable plot radius sampling method was used for field data collection of poletimber and
sawtimber size trees. The basal area factor utilized was 20 square feet. In each timber stand
sampled, ten plots were spaced uniformly on a traverse located systematically through the stand.
The traverse was located in such a manner as to attempt to sample the variation within a stand.
To minimize travel time, plots were generally located with a maximum interval of 300 feet.
Tally trees were selected or rejected with a relascope prism. On five of the ten plots, species,
tree vigor, crown ratio, defect type and estimated defect percentage, were recorded and tree
diameter, total tree height, bark thickness, and ten-year growth were measured (measure plots).
Tree diameters were measured 4.5 feet above ground, commonly known as “diameter breast
height” or dbh. Co-dominate and dominant trees were cored at dbh to determine average age and
site index of the sample stand. On the other alternating five plots, only the number of trees by
species and size class selected by the relascope were recorded (count plots). Count plots
generally serve to lower the sample error by increasing the overall plot numbers, but economize
time spent in the field collecting data. Only trees five inches dbh and greater were measured
utilizing the variable plot sampling method.
The fixed plot sampling method was used for field data collection of trees less than five inches
dbh. At every other plot in the ten plot traverse (measure plots) seedling and sapling size trees
were measured. Species and quality were recorded and tree diameter and total tree height were
measured. The fixed plot was a circular 1/250th
D. Geographic Information System Coverage
acre plot (7.45 foot radius).
Together with the tabular data, a GIS coverage was prepared for the inventory. A standardized
vegetation key/mapping scheme was used for describing vegetation polygons (table 2). The
acreage of individual polygons was calculated using ESRI ArcMap GIS software. Storage in the
GIS will allow for queries of individual portions of the project area to be accomplished for
planning purposes. Through the GIS, acreage and volume estimates as reported in this forest
inventory can be recalculated to reflect a changing operable forest land base.
E. Data Summary
Upon completion of the field work, sampled stand data were entered into TCruise, a timber
inventory software program. The inventory software calculated volume attributes for the
individual sampled stands. These stands were then grouped into strata and re-processed in
TCruise. The inventory contains eight separate sample strata for which estimates of gross and
net volume per acre have been calculated (Appendix A). The strata contain field data from 50
individual timber stands containing 500 plots (table 3). Field data from some sampled stands
were similar enough to each other to allow combining of different stand timber types into like
strata. Acreage of un-sampled timber types deemed similar enough was also included in the
strata. Characteristics of these timber types were observed during the field work phase of the
inventory. Combinations of sampled and un-sampled timber types and the corresponding strata
are shown in table 4. Total inventory volume was calculated by multiplying the average per acre
volume figures for each stratum by the number of acres each sample stratum represents. These
calculations were performed in a Microsoft Access database and utilize the GIS acreage figures.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Output reports written in Access display numerous stand attributes from the associated database
tables and queries.
LAND COVER KEY
FOREST SPECIES
1 Black Spruce 19 Birch-Aspen
2 White Spruce 31 White Spruce-Birch
3 Black Spruce-White Spruce 34 White Spruce-Aspen
16 Balsam Poplar 37 White Spruce-Birch-Aspen
17 Birch 38 White Spruce-Balsam Poplar
18 Aspen 39 White Spruce-Black Spruce-
Birch-Aspen
FOREST SIZE
S Sawtimber > 9.0 inches DBH
P Poletimber 5.0 inches to 8.9 inches DBH
R Reproduction < 5.0 inches DBH
D Dwarf < 25 feet at maturity
FOREST DENSITY
X 60-100% Calls are based
Y 25-59% on crown closure
Z 10-24% percent.
NON-FOREST
63 Mixed Tall Shrub Closed 80 Lakes-Ponds
68 Mixed Tall Shrub Open 94 Bare Ground
70 Mixed Low Shrub Closed 97 Gravel pits, mines, quarries
71 Mixed Low Shrub Open 98 Roads
76 Dry Midgrass-Herb-Sedge 101 Timber Sales
79 Wet Sedge-Grass
Table 2. Land cover key.
Stratum
Number Strata Description Acres Number Of Stands
1 White Spruce Sawtimber 6,756 11
2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed 20,637 9
3 White Spruce Poletimber Open 30,210 10
4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed 10,220 3
5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open 94,794 3
6 Aspen Poletimber Closed 11,738 5
7 White Spruce-Aspen Poletimber 33,822 4
8 White Spruce-Balsam Poplar 11,372 5
Total 219,550 50
Table 3. Acreage and number of sampled stands by strata.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Vegetation Type Acres Field Sampled?
Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber
2SX 5,016 Yes
3SY 5
2SY 1,736 Yes
Sum 6,756
Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed
1PX 13
2PX 17,954 Yes
3PX 2,670 Yes
Sum 20,637
Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open
1PY 2
3PY 8,185 Yes
2PY 22,023 Yes
Sum 30,210
Stratum 4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed
2RX 2,852
1RX 354
3RX 7,014 Yes
Sum 10,220
Stratum 5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open
2RZ 1,473
101 46
2RY 10,810 Yes
1RY 44,950
1RZ 215
3RY 28,857 Yes
3RZ 3,375
2PZ 4,152 Yes
3PZ 916 Yes
Sum 94,794
Table 4. Sampled and un-sampled timber types by strata.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Vegetation Type Acres Field Sampled?
Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber
19PX 1
18SX 7
18RX 3,615
18PY 5,020 Yes
18PX 3,092 Yes
17PY 3
Sum 11,738
Stratum 7 White Spruce Aspen Poletimber
18RZ 1,024
18PZ 119
18RY 9,948 Yes
34SY 5
39PX 141 Yes
31PX 2
39PY 400 Yes
39PZ 57
39RX 624
39RY 3,860
39RZ 267
34PX 1,185 Yes
37PX 5
34SX 54
34RZ 1,367
34RY 9,376
34RX 1,927
34PZ 263
34PY 3,127
31RX 30
31PY 34
37RY 6
Sum 33,822
Table 4 Continued. Sampled and un-sampled timber types by strata.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Vegetation Type Acres Field Sampled?
Stratum 8 White Spruce Balsam Poplar
16PX 1,160 Yes
16RZ 30
16RY 1,958
16RX 2,155
16SX 198 Yes
16PY 760
38RZ 58
16PZ 10
16SY 19
16SZ 1
38SX 216
38RY 1,682
38RX 476
38PZ 221
38PY 1,629
38PX 649
38SY 149
Sum 11,372
Grand Total Timberland 219,550
Table 4 Continued. Sampled and un-sampled timber types by strata.
F. Description of Strata
The eight strata are described below. Pictures are shown for selected strata where available.
1. Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber
This stratum is found in limited amounts across the project area. It occurs on the most
productive sites (Viereck et al. 1992. The Alaska Vegetation Classification) and had the highest
volume per acre within the project. The sites generally were well drained to moderately well
drained with silt and silt loam soil types. Stands with the highest volumes per acre were found
along the Tazlina and Nelchina Rivers. Stands found on upland sites generally were on high
ground with a southerly aspect. Average age of the stratum was 143 years. Bark beetle
mortality is severe in the stratum and most trees greater than 13 inches dbh have been killed.
Fortunately many of the dead trees are standing and merchantability for fuelwood and biomass is
still good. Stands on the more productive sites, i.e. river bottoms, had somewhat less mortality
than on the upland sites. Stands located in the south edge of the project area in the vicinity of the
Edgerton Highway had greater amounts of blow down, which probably reflects that the bark
beetle epidemic began in this area and the trees have been dead for 3-4 years longer than in the
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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north portion of the project area. Increased wind speeds in this area may also be contributing to
blow down. The stratum contains 4,879 board feet per acre, but 22% of the board foot volume
was in dead trees. The stratum averages 29 tons per acre and has a net annual yield of 0.21 tons
per acre per year (12.4 cubic feet per acre per year).
2. Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed
This stratum is found across the project area on sites that are of poor to medium productivity.
Permafrost is probably present on numerous sites. In some stands black spruce is mixed in, but
with generally minor amounts compared to white spruce. Occasionally some aspen is also
present. Average age of the stratum was 144 years, which is similar to the white spruce
sawtimber stratum and indicates relatively low productivity. Although old, the stem count is
fairly high and averaged 259 trees per acre. The stratum contains 1,243 cubic feet per acre, with
17% of this volume in dead trees. The stratum contains 21 tons per acre and has a net annual
yield of 0.17 tons per acre per year (10 cubic feet per acre per year).
3. Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open
This stratum is found across the project area on sites that are of poor productivity. On higher
elevations of the project area such as near the Little Nelchina River, the stands appear to have a
high percentage of black spruce trees. During field measurements however, these trees were
indeed white spruce which reflects the species’ ability to out compete black spruce at higher
elevations. Unfortunately however, these trees exhibit the slow growth characteristic of black
spruce. The stem count is 169 trees per acre with 20% of the trees of sawtimber size. Many of
the sawtimber sized trees have succumbed to the bark beetle infestation. Average age of the
stratum was 184 years, the highest of all eight strata. These stands contain an average of 955
cubic feet per acre, with 21% of this volume in dead trees. The stratum contains 16 tons per
acre. The combination of slow growth and beetle mortality resulted in the slowest growth rate of
all the strata. Annual yield was .04 tons per acre per year (2.1 cubic feet per acre per year).
4. Stratum 4 Black and White Spruce Reproduction Closed
This stratum is found across the project area on sites that are of poor productivity. Although
these stands contain a majority of trees less than five inches dbh, they are not true reproduction
stands, but stands of very slow growing trees. They are however more productive than the
common black spruce dwarf stands that occur widespread across the project area. These stands
have measurable cubic foot volume and contain useable biomass. Average age was 162 years
and the stands that were sampled have put on very little growth in the past 50 years. It is likely
that productivity can be improved by opening these sites and increasing soil warming. The stem
count averaged 179 trees per acre, but a substantial number of trees less than five inches dbh
were present that totaled 2,017 trees per acre. The majority of the trees greater than five inches
dbh were white spruce and the majority of trees less than five inches dbh were black spruce.
Within the reproduction size class, 450 trees per acre were between three and five inches dbh.
The stratum contains 330 cubic feet per acre, and 6 tons per acre. The average net annual yield
is 0.05 tons per acre per year (3.2 cubic feet per acre per year).
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Figure 2. Stratum 2, white spruce poletimber closed, south of Tazlina lodge.
5. Stratum 5 Black and White Spruce Reproduction Open
This is the largest stratum by acreage comprising over 43% of the total timberland acreage. This
stratum is found across the project area on sites that are of poor productivity. Plots from similar
stands on adjacent Native lands were used in addition to the single sampled stand to calculate
volume. It is similar to stratum 4 where the productivity is greater than dwarf timber types. This
stratum has been determined to have useable biomass. The stem count of trees five inches dbh
and greater totals 41 trees per acre. The stem count of trees less than five inches dbh totals 1,000
trees per acre. Within this size class, 266 trees per acre are between three and five inches dbh.
The stratum contains 98 cubic feet per acre, and 2 tons per acre. The average net annual yield is
0.03 tons per acre per year (1.8 cubic feet per acre per year).
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Figure 3. Stratum 3, white spruce poletimber open, north of Little Nelchina River.
6. Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber Closed
Stands comprising this stratum occur on the warmest of sites with a southerly aspect. The sites
generally are well drained with silt and silt loam soil types. Average age of the stratum was 84
years and some stands have vigorous white spruce regeneration growing under the aspen. The
stem count averages 334 trees per acre. The stratum contains 1,236 cubic feet per acre. It
contains 25 tons per acre and has a net annual yield of 0.8 tons per acre per year (48.7 cubic feet
per acre per year). This stratum has lower volume per acre than stratum 1, but has the highest
annual yield of all the strata.
7. Stratum 7 White Spruce-Aspen Poletimber
This stratum by occurs across the project area on variable sites. Average age of the stratum is
91. Stands in the stratum are quite variable. The aspen component varies in density with the
older stands containing fewer stems. The stratum contains 1,020 cubic feet per acre. It contains
19 tons per acre and has a net annual yield of 0.5 tons per acre per year (27.2 cubic feet per acre
per year).
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
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Figure 4. Stratum 4, black spruce-white spruce reproduction, west of Tolsona Creek.
8. Stratum 8 White Spruce-Balsam Poplar
This is the smallest stratum by acreage comprising less than 4% of total timberland acreage. It
occurs along the active floodplains of the larger river systems within the project area. These
drainages include the Tazlina, Nelchina, Little Nelchina and Tonsina Rivers and Bernard Creek.
Average age of the stratum is 103. Stands in the stratum are quite variable. Some stands are
mostly balsam poplar where others are a mix of white spruce and balsam poplar. The stem count
averages 185 trees per acre. The stratum contains 956 cubic feet per acre. It contains about 19
tons per acre and has a net annual yield of 0.5 tons per acre per year (30 cubic feet per acre per
year).
9. Non-Forest
Figure 6 illustrates non-forest dwarf shrub with scattered black spruce dwarf trees. The picture
is looking south near the Little Nelchina River. Shrub species include low bush cranberry, low
bush blueberry, Labrador tea and dwarf birch. Vegetation pictured here also includes sedge
tussock tundra.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
14
Figure 5. Stratum 7, white spruce-aspen poletimber, west of Tolsona Creek.
Figure 6. Non-forest dwarf shrub, north of Little Nelchina River.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
15
IV. RESULTS
A. Forest Volume Definitions
Estimates of timber volume on forested lands have been calculated with three different
measurements; cubic foot volume, board foot volume and green tons. The cubic foot
measurement includes all timber greater than or equal to five inches dbh and is divided among
the live and dead poletimber and sawtimber components of the forest. The board foot
measurement is commonly used to determine the amount of lumber that can be sawn from a log.
Because the measurement is based on actual boards that can be sawn from a log, it disregards all
material wasted in the process such as slabs and sawdust. The board foot measurement only
includes timber equal to or greater than 9 inches dbh.
Volume calculations for both cubic and board foot measurements are based on volume equations
produced for Interior Alaska; U.S. Forest Service research notes NOR-5, NOR-6 and PNW-59.
Board foot volume is reported in Scribner Decimal C scale and is based on 16-foot log segments
(short log scale). For spruce it is reported to a 6-inch top (PNW-59) and for hardwoods to an 8-
inch top (NOR-5). Cubic volume is reported in Smalian’s rule and for spruce and hardwoods
includes volume to a 4-inch top (NOR-6). Both live and dead volume is reported. Dead volume
includes recently dead trees estimated to have died within the last 16 years. This time period
coincides with the spruce bark beetle outbreak.
Volume
Formula
Name
Volume Unit Species Formula
NOR-6 Cubic Foot 4-
inch Top
White and
Black Spruce
(-2.055)+0.2982*(dbh)+0.00181*(dbh)^2*ht
NOR-6 Cubic 4-inch
Top
Birch (-2.5767)+0.9524*(dbh)-0.10446*(dbh)^2-
0.03303*(ht)+0.00282*(dbh)^2*(ht)
NOR-6 Cubic 4-inch
Top
Aspen (-0.5553)-0.02216*dbh^2+0.00246*dbh^2*ht
NOR-6 Cubic 4-inch
Top
Balsam Poplar (-3.2187)+0.8281*(dbh)-0.05908*(dbh)^2-
0.01985*(ht)+0.00199*(dbh)^2*(ht)
PNW-59 Board Foot
Scribner 6-inch
Top
White and
Black Spruce
39.71+4.2659*dbh-0.55865*dbh^2-
1.1184*ht+0.016113*dbh^2*ht-437.92/dbh^2
NOR-5 Board Foot
Scribner 8-inch
Top
Birch and
Aspen
(-27.263)+0.00995*dbh^2*ht
NOR-5 Board Foot
Scribner 8-inch
Top
Balsam Poplar (-46.7415)+0.00956*dbh^2*ht
Table 5. Volume formulas by species for poletimber and sawtimber size classes.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
16
Computation of green tons was derived from weight ratios produced for Alaska wood species
(Sturgeon 1979. Wood As A Fuel.). Wood As A Fuel lists the weight of green cord wood which
can be converted into pounds per cubic foot. The inventory cubic foot values are converted to
green tons using these ratios (table 6). A cord of wood is assumed to contain 90 cubic feet of
solid wood.
Species Pounds per Cubic Foot
White Spruce 34
Black Spruce 34
Birch 50
Aspen 43
Balsam Poplar 43
Table 6. Inventory species and weight for poletimber and sawtimber.
B. Inventory Volume by Species
Inventory volume is reported below in table 7 by tree species across all timber types. When the
entire volume by species is summed, a grand total of 1,383,731 net cunits (1 cunit=100 cubic
feet=1 CCF) is present. If this total is divided by the timberland area of 219,550 acres, then
overall there is 630 net cubic feet per acre. Similarly, overall there are 11.37 net tons per acre
and 1,013 net board feet per acre. The values for cubic feet and tons are reported for trees equal
to or greater than five inches dbh. Board foot values are reported for trees equal to or greater
than nine inches dbh (MBF=1,000 board feet). Table 8 reports inventory volume by species and
size class across all timber types. The sawtimber size class comprises 40% of the total net cubic
volume or about 556,000 cunits. The poletimber size class comprises 60% of the total net cubic
volume or about 827,000 cunits. Dead sawtimber trees mostly killed from bark beetles comprise
15% of the total sawtimber net cubic volume.
Species
Net CUFT
Per Acre
Total Net
CUNITS
Net Tons
Per Acre
Total Net
Tons
Net BDFT
Per Acre
Total Net
MBF
Aspen 106 233,416 2.29 501,844 35 7,736
Balsam Poplar 36 78,435 0.77 168,635 71 15,506
Birch 3 5,553 0.06 13,882 2 441
Black Spruce 39 85,175 0.66 144,797 1 225
White Spruce 447 981,153 7.60 1,667,960 904 198,542
Total 630 1,383,731 11.37 2,497,118 1,013 222,449
Table 7. Total net volume across all strata.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
17
Gross
Cunits Net Cunits
Gross
Tons Net Tons
Gross
MBF
Net
MBF
Saw
Live
Aspen 41,850 39,313 89,977 84,524 8,279 7,736
Balsam
Poplar 59,600 54,190 128,140 116,509 17,343 15,506
Birch 3,485 2,788 8,712 6,969 551 441
Black Spruce 579 417 985 709 281 225
White Spruce 403,353 373,776 685,701 635,420 175,239 161,956
Total 508,867 470,485 913,515 844,131 201,694 185,863
Saw
Dead
White Spruce 105,775 85,886 179,818 146,006 45,558 36,586
Total 105,775 85,886 179,818 146,006 45,558 36,586
Pole
Live
Aspen 197,146 194,102 423,863 417,320
Balsam
Poplar 25,884 24,245 55,651 52,127
Birch 3,456 2,765 8,641 6,913
Black Spruce 80,420 74,932 136,715 127,385
White Spruce 490,316 482,475 833,537 820,207
Total 797,223 778,519 1,458,407 1,423,952
Pole
Dead
Black Spruce 10,779 9,825 18,324 16,703
White Spruce 42,858 39,016 72,859 66,328
Total 53,637 48,841 91,183 83,031
Grand Total
1,465,502 1,383,731 2,642,923 2,497,118 247,252 222,449
Table 8. Volume summary by size class and species across strata.
C. Defect Estimates by Species
Defect renders portions of individual trees unusable or of very limited use as forest products due
to insect damage, rot and physical damage such as broken stems, sweep and crook. The net
volumes shown however do not take into account all defects because hidden defect has not been
estimated. Visible defect is the difference between gross and net volume. Visible defect
percentage by species is shown in Table 9.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
18
Species
Gross Cubic
Feet/Acre
Net Cubic
Feet/Acre
Percent
Defect
Aspen 109 106 2.3
Balsam Poplar 39 36 8.2
Birch 3 3 20.0
Black Spruce 42 39 7.2
White Spruce 475 447 5.9
Totals 668 630 5.6
Table 9. Cubic foot defect estimates by species.
D. Inventory Volume by Strata
Timber inventory results by stratum and species are shown in figure 7 and table 10. Detailed
results by stratum are contained in Appendices A and B.
Figure 7. Percent of total net cubic foot volume by strata.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
19
Net
CUFT
Per Acre
Total Net
CUNITS
Net
Tons
Per Ac.
Total Net
Tons
Net
BDFT
Per Acre
Total
Net
MBF
Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber = 6,756 Acres
Aspen 0 0 0 0 2 14
Balsam Poplar 10 687 0 1,476 21 140
Black Spruce 9 594 0 1,009
White Spruce 1,661 112,223 28 190,778 4,856 32,811
Totals 1,680 113,504 29 193,263 4,879 32,965
Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed = 20,637 Acres
Balsam Poplar 29 5,996 1 12,892 116 2,401
Black Spruce 94 19,349 2 32,893 11 225
White Spruce 1,120 231,180 19 393,006 2,334 48,157
Totals 1,243 256,525 21 438,791 2,461 50,783
Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open = 30,210 Acres
Black Spruce 51 15,382 1 26,149
White Spruce 904 273,011 15 464,118 2,197 66,364
Totals 955 288,393 16 490,267 2,197 66,364
Stratum 4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed = 10,220 Acres
Black Spruce 224 22,911 4 38,948
White Spruce 106 10,843 2 18,433 78 798
Totals 330 33,754 6 57,381 78 798
Stratum 5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open = 94,794 Acres
Black Spruce 12 11,306 0 19,220
White Spruce 86 81,259 1 138,140 119 11,298
Totals 98 92,565 2 157,360 119 11,298
Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber = 11,738 Acres
Aspen 976 114,586 21 246,360 383 4,501
Balsam Poplar 0 9 0 20
White Spruce 260 30,521 4 51,885 463 5,431
Totals 1,236 145,116 25 298,265 846 9,932
Stratum 7 White Spruce Aspen Poletimber = 33,822 Acres
Aspen 344 116,230 7 249,894 95 3,221
Birch 16 5,553 0 13,882 13 441
Black Spruce 46 15,633 1 26,577
White Spruce 614 207,694 10 353,079 899 30,413
Totals 1,020 345,110 19 643,432 1,007 34,075
Stratum 8 White Spruce Balsam Poplar = 11,372 Acres
Aspen 23 2,600 0 5,590
Balsam Poplar 631 71,743 14 154,247 1,140 12,965
White Spruce 303 34,423 5 58,519 288 3,270
Totals 957 108,766 19 218,356 1,428 16,235
Grand Total 1,383,731 2,497,118 222,449
Table 10. Volume by stratum and species.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
20
A. Inventory Volume of Sapling Size Trees
Inventory volume results have been calculated for the sapling component to determine the
tonnage of this material that may be available as a biomass resource. These values represent the
total above ground portion of the tree including branches and needles and use equations
published for Interior Alaska tree species. The regression equations (Yarie 2007. Aboveground
Biomass Equations for the Trees of Interior Alaska.) relate the weight of individual tree
components by species to physical measurements that are easy to obtain in the field. White
spruce and black spruce equations (table 11) were applied to regeneration diameter and height
data to get an estimate of available tons. These equations were compared to wood chip weight
recovery data conducted in Tok by the Division of Forestry, Tok Area Office for similar species
and size classes. The equations with the closest fit to the actual Tok cut out data were used. Due
to inaccuracies in projecting weight of very small trees, the equations were only applied to trees
with diameters between two and 4.9 inches dbh.
Species Sapling Aboveground Weight in Pounds
White
Spruce,
Birch,
Aspen
Balsam
Poplar
((8628.215*(dbh*2.54))+525.26667*(dbh*2.54)2
Black
Spruce
+6320.94097*(Ht*0.3048))/453.59237)
((2454.230*(Ht*0.3048))/453.59237)
Table 11. Inventory sapling species and weight regression equations.
As can be expected, the highest tons per acre values are in the reproduction strata. Both strata 4
and 5 contain a significantly higher amount of tonnage in trees less than 5 inches dbh than in
trees greater than 5 inches. Depending on accessibility, these stands could be a source of
biomass material. If tonnage of sapling, poletimber and sawtimber tree sizes is combined
stratum 4 contains 17 tons per acre and stratum 5 contains 7 tons per acre.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
21
Trees/Acre Tons/Acre
Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber
Black Spruce 18 0
White Spruce 95 1
Total Trees Per Acre 114 1
Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed
Black Spruce 78 1
White Spruce 189 3
Total Trees Per Acre 267 4
Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open
Balsam Poplar 5 0
Black Spruce 40 0
White Spruce 155 1
Total Trees Per Acre 200 1
Stratum 4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed
Black Spruce 617 10
White Spruce 50 1
Total Trees Per Acre 667 11
Stratum 5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open
Black Spruce 267 4
White Spruce 167 2
Total Trees Per Acre 433 6
Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber
Aspen 130 3
White Spruce 50 1
Total Trees Per Acre 180 4
Stratum 7 White Spruce Aspen Poletimber
Aspen 38 0
Black Spruce 75 2
White Spruce 138 2
Total Trees Per Acre 250 4
Stratum 8 White Spruce Balsam Poplar
Aspen 20 0
Balsam Poplar 100 1
White Spruce 180 2
Total Trees Per Acre 300 2
Table 12. Volume summary by stratum and sapling species 2” - 4.9” dbh.
B. Sampling Error by Volume
Sample error was calculated for the live gross cubic foot estimate by strata and size class (table
13). The sample error percent is given within one standard deviation of the mean. This means
that there is a 68% chance (one standard deviation) that the volume of the individual live size
class components are within plus or minus the error percentage indicated. Sample error is
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
22
relatively high for the reproduction strata 4 and 5. This is indicative of the variation of the
sawtimber and poletimber component within mostly sapling sized dominated stands.
Live Poletimber Live Sawtimber Combined
Stratum Number
of Plots
Gross
CF/Ac
%
Sampling
Error
Gross
CF/Ac
%
Sampling
Error
Gross
CF/Ac
%
Sampling
Error
1 110 440 8.3 943 9.4 1,383 6.9
2 90 605 10.9 456 15.3 1,061 9.0
3 100 396 10.0 393 10.8 789 7.4
4 30 325 21.4 18 55.5 343 20.5
5 30 72 33.5 43 44.7 115 26.8
6 50 985 8.3 293 10.4 1,278 6.8
7 40 747 14.1 283 22.5 1,030 11.9
8 50 481 14.9 524 15.7 1,005 10.9
Total 500 515 4.2 476 5.6 991 3.5
Table 13. Gross live cubic foot percent sampling error.
C. Log Grade
Log grade estimates were made during field sampling. Log grade was only tallied for the live
sawtimber sized trees (> 9 inches dbh). A grade was given for each of the first two 16-foot log
segments. Log grades use Puget Sound grading rules, which contain specifications for various
species. White spruce and black spruce were applied to the Puget Sound western white pine
rules. Aspen and birch were applied to red alder rules and balsam poplar to the cottonwood
rules. The summary for white spruce trees in stratum 1 is shown in table 14. Appendix C shows
the Puget Sound grading rules and detailed results for each stratum. Log grade results were not
computed by volume but do provide grade estimates in straight percentage terms of trees
measured in the field. This gives a reference point for the grade distribution in each stratum. For
the white spruce sawtimber component in stratum 1, over one half of the measurements coded
each of the first two log segments as a number 4 log grade.
First 16-Foot
Log Grade
Second 16-Foot
Log Grade
Percent of
Measurements
Cull Cull 3 %
2 3 2 %
3 3 2 %
3 4 11 %
3 Utility 1 %
4 Cull 1 %
4 4 56 %
4 Utility 16 %
Utility Cull 1 %
Utility Utility 7 %
100%
Table 14. Log grade for stratum 1 white spruce trees.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
23
V. FOREST PRODUCTIVITY
A. Site Index
Tree height has been found as the most reliable indicator of site productivity. In essence, the
taller the tree the more productive is the growing site. When height is combined with tree age,
the measurements can be reported as a site index number. This number gives the height in feet
of a particular stand at a reference base age. Site index of white spruce uses a base age of 100
years whereas site index of aspen uses a base age of 50 years. Site index reflects the combined
effect of all environmental factors and is therefore a good index of stand productivity. Site index
calculations for white spruce are based on site index equations produced for Interior Alaska: U.S.
Forest Service research paper PNW-53. Site index calculations for aspen are based on site index
equations produced for Interior Alaska; U.S. Forest Service research paper NOR-2. Balsam
poplar measurements were also applied to the aspen NOR-2 values.
Site Index (Feet)
Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber
White Spruce 56
Aspen ---
Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed
White Spruce 52
Aspen ---
Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open
White Spruce 42
Aspen ---
Stratum 4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed
White Spruce 35
Aspen ---
Stratum 5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open
White Spruce 29
Aspen ---
Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber
White Spruce 68
Aspen 41
Stratum 7 White Spruce Aspen Poletimber
White Spruce 50
Aspen 45
Stratum 8 White Spruce Balsam Poplar
White Spruce ---
Balsam Poplar 41
Table 15. Site index by stratum and species.
B. Timberland Area Age Class
Forest productivity can also be examined in terms of overall age class distribution. Typically as
trees become older productivity declines. Hardwoods generally begin to decline after year 80 or
90 when rot becomes more frequent. White spruce is longer lived, but generally starts to decline
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
24
after year 180. At this age white spruce becomes more susceptible to rot and insect damage.
Table 16 shows the age class distribution in acres and percent of the total acreage. Over two
thirds of the timberland acreage is older than 120 years and 20% of the timberland acreage is
older than 180 years. The advanced age of many of the white spruce stands may have
contributed to the widespread beetle infestation throughout the project area. Stands between 50
and 80 years of age comprised 16% of the timberland area. Most of these stands were aspen
dominated. The age class distribution indicates a lengthy fire return interval and the low site
index numbers in table 15 correspond to stands growing in cold soils covered by moss. The
primary disturbance factor for soils in the Copper River basin is the wild fire regime
(Swanson 1996. Susceptibility of permafrost soils to deep thaw after forest fires in interior
Alaska, U.S.A. and some ecologic implications.). Fire results in the clearing of vegetation, partial or
entire removal of the organic mat, and thawing of permafrost. Changing these factors has
profound effects on the characteristics of the soil profile and subsequently on the trees growing
on top. A wet-cold-frozen soil, with permafrost insulated by a thick organic mat can become a
dry-warm soil type after a fire. During field measurements, trees that had the greatest 10-year
increment growth were almost always associated with warmer soils and thinner moss depth.
Stand Age Class Average Age Acres Percent of Total
50 - 60 59 4,391 2%
60 - 70 68 8,782 4%
70 - 80 74 21,955 10%
80 - 90 81 4,391 2%
90 - 100 96 17,564 8%
100 - 110 103 4,391 2%
110 - 120 112 4,391 2%
120 - 130 127 21,955 10%
130 - 140 138 13,173 6%
140 - 150 146 39,519 18%
150 - 160 152 21,955 10%
160 - 170 161 13,173 6%
180 - 190 181 8,782 4%
190 - 200 196 17,564 8%
200 - 210 201 8,782 4%
210 - 220 213 8,782 4%
Table 16. Percent of area by age class.
Table 17 reports the average age by individual stratum. From the age data it is evident that strata
4 and 5 are not true reproduction stands, but are in fact timber growing on poor sites. These
timber types have significant numbers of trees less than 5 inches in diameter and a limited
number of poletimber trees. It is this poletimber component that makes these stands have a
potential for providing firewood and biomass resources.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
25
Stratum Description Average Age
1 White Spruce Sawtimber 136
2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed 137
3 White Spruce Poletimber Open 169
4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed 150
5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open 138
6 Aspen Poletimber 74
7 White Spruce Aspen Poletimber 84
8 White Spruce Balsam Poplar 96
Table 17. Average age by strata.
C. Regeneration
Another measure of productivity is whether individual timber stands are being replaced by
regeneration. Interior Alaska tree species are mostly even-aged and are replaced through natural
regeneration following fire, flooding or insect outbreaks. In the absence of disturbance, stands
are slowly replaced by understory regeneration. In many cases such as the dense black and white
spruce stands, regeneration is poor because of thick moss cover and cold soils. There is a high
tree count of small black spruce seedlings, but regeneration of quality crop trees is poor. These
stands are slow to regenerate unless a stand replacing disturbance such as wildfire occurs. In
other cases stands are actively being replaced even in the absence of disturbance. These stands
typically are the aspen poletimber stands that contain a well stocked spruce understory. Table 18
gives numbers of trees per acre less than 5 inches by species and stratum. Trees are of desirable
and acceptable quality as determined in field. Undesirable trees not expected to become future
crop trees are not included in the table.
D. Growth and Mortality Estimates
Growth estimates have been determined through projections made with the timber cruise
software TCruise. Periodic annual gross growth has been projected utilizing the past 10-year
diameter growth increment and bark thickness measurements collected in the field across all
measured diameter classes (5-inch dbh and greater). By collecting both the growth increment
and bark thickness measurement, the software is able to discount changes in bark thickness that
would affect the accurate determination of diameter growth. Growth was computed by a
regression approach for both diameter and height. The desired growth projection interval used
was 10 years (i.e. 2009-2019). The increased volume growth was then divided by 10 to calculate
an annual growth rate. This volume figure was then divided by the growing stock base (live tree
volume) to calculate a percentage growth rate. The trees were grown out initially by ten years
instead of just one year because many of the 10-year diameter growth increments were so small
that the software calculated an inconsistent growth rate for a one year projection. Diameter-
height relationships, diameter growth and calculated bark thickness ratios (Husch et al. 2002.
Forest Mensuration, Fourth Edition.) are shown in Appendix D. Mortality estimates have been
determined by dividing the recently dead volume by 16 years to calculate annual mortality. The
16 year time period corresponds to the beginning of the bark beetle infestation in the project
area. These trees were easily identified during field measurements as bark beetle killed trees.
The mortality estimates were then subtracted from the gross growth figures to calculate net
growth. The average net annual growth for the project area is 10 cubic feet per acre (table 19).
Growth rates are slightly below Forest Service estimates of between 2 and 3% (Smith et al. 2007.
Forest Resources of the United States, 2007) for unmanaged interior forests.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
26
Trees/Acre
Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber
Black Spruce 32
White Spruce 841
Total Trees Per Acre 873
Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed
Black Spruce 228
White Spruce 556
Total Trees Per Acre 783
Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open
Balsam Poplar 25
Black Spruce 280
White Spruce 410
Total Trees Per Acre 715
Stratum 4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed
Black Spruce 567
White Spruce 33
Total Trees Per Acre 600
Stratum 5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open
Black Spruce 300
White Spruce 467
Total Trees Per Acre 767
Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber
Aspen 250
Balsam Poplar 10
White Spruce 570
Total Trees Per Acre 830
Stratum 7 White Spruce Aspen Poletimber
Aspen 38
Black Spruce 363
White Spruce 325
Total Trees Per Acre 725
Stratum 8 White Spruce Balsam Poplar
Aspen 50
Balsam Poplar 240
Birch 60
White Spruce 760
Total Trees Per Acre 1,110
Table 18. Number of trees per acre less than 5 inches dbh by stratum and species.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
27
%
Annual
Growth
%
Annual
Mortality
%
Annual
Net
Growth
CF Per
Acre
Per
Year
Growth
Total
Annual
Net
Growth
Cunits
Tons
Per
Acre
Per
Year
Growth
Annual
Net
Growth
Tons
Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber
2.57% 1.64% 0.93% 12 836 0.20 1,424
Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed
2.23% 1.26% 0.97% 10 2,065 0.17 3,537
Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open
1.91% 1.63% 0.28% 2 640 0.03 1,088
Stratum 4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed
0.98% 0.00% 0.98% 3 331 0.05 562
Stratum 5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open
1.79% 0.00% 1.79% 2 1,657 0.02 2,817
Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber
3.94% 0.00% 3.94% 49 5,718 1.02 11,752
Stratum 7 White Spruce Aspen Poletimber
2.85% 0.13% 2.72% 27 9,198 0.52 17,181
Stratum 8 White Spruce Balsam Poplar
3.21% 0.04% 3.17% 30 3,428 0.6 6,887
Total Live Volume
2.66% 0.85% 1.81% 10 22,607 0.19 41,052
Table 19. Growth and mortality estimates.
E. Sustained Yield Analysis
Estimates of sustained yield have been made to guide future management decisions. The
estimates in this analysis only include the timberland acreage and volume. Dwarf forests are not
included. The sustained yield has been calculated using area control, which divides the acreage
of each stratum by the rotation age. White spruce and mixed white spruce types use a rotation
age of 120 years, which includes 10 years for establishment. The aspen timber type uses a
rotation of 80 years, which includes 10 years for establishment. There has been no acreage
reductions made for operability concerns. Estimates of operable economic sustainable yield are
shown in Section VI.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
28
Strata Description Acres
Rota
-tion
Acres
/Yr.
Net
CF/
Ac.
Net
CF/Yr.
Net
Tons
/Ac.
Net
Tons/
Yr.
Net
BF/
Ac.
Net
BF/Yr.
1 Ws Saw 6,756 120 56 1,680 94,584 28 1,576 4,879 274,688
2 Ws Pole Closed 20,637 120 172 1,243 213,765 22 3,783 2,461 423,230
3 Ws Pole Open 30,210 120 252 955 240,421 16 4,028 2,197 553,095
4
Bs-Ws Repro
Closed 10,220 120 85 330 28,105 6 511 78 6,643
5
Bs-Ws Repro
Open 94,794 120 790 98 77,415 1 790 119 94,004
6 Aspen Pole 11,738 80 147 1,236 181,352 25 3,668 846 124,129
7 Ws-As Pole 33,822 120 282 1,020 287,487 18 5,073 1,007 283,823
8 Ws-Bp 11,372 120 95 957 90,692 19 1,801 1,428 135,327
Totals 219,550
1,878
1,213,821 21,231
1,894,939
Species Totals
Aspen
242,340 5,054
83,084
Balsam Poplar
65,348 1,499
129,165
Birch
4,510 0
3,664
Black Spruce
71,033 1,218
1,892
White Spruce
830,590 13,460
1,677,134
Totals
1,213,821 21,231
1,894,939
Table 20. Sustained yield estimate, total timberland area.
Figure 8. Sustained yield comparison between strata, total timberland area.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
29
VI. ECONOMIC AVAILABILITY OF SUSTAINABLE BIOMASS FUELS
The economics of available biomass were examined in context to two communities in the project
area; Glennallen and Kenny Lake. A proposed wood pellet project and a proposed school
biomass heating project are under evaluation in the vicinity of these areas. The proposed wood
pellet project is being considered by the Ahtna Native Corporation and likely would be situated
near Glennallen. The school biomass heating project would be constructed to supply the Kenny
Lake School with wood fired heat and would be constructed on the school grounds. For both
these projects to be successful an accurate estimate of economic and sustainable biomass
resources is needed. This is especially important in Alaska because there is little urban, logging
residue or wood manufacturing wood waste available as a supplemental biomass resource.
Energy plantations of fast growing woody crops are also not available. For the most part, the
biomass supply for these projects will consist solely of harvested firewood and commercial grade
timber. When biomass is used in this form it is referred to as “fuelwood”. This is the most
expensive of biomass sources (Ashton et al. 2008. Woody Biomass Desk Guide and Toolkit).
This supply scenario is quite different than the Lower 48 where biomass projects generally rely
on a combination of urban wood waste, mill waste and logging residues.
A. Current Delivered Costs
Delivered firewood costs and distance to current supply sources were researched for both
Glennallen and Kenny Lake. Currently the wood harvests are mostly from State of Alaska
timber sales. Delivered prices and distances shown in Table 20 are from timber sales located at
mile 166 of the Glenn Highway. Firewood is hauled and delivered from the harvest site in 8-foot
lengths. The timber sale area is in the vicinity of Tolsona Creek which is located on some of the
closest state forest lands to Glennallen.
Delivery
Location
Delivered
Price Per
Cord
Cord
Configuration
Haul Distance In
Road Miles
Working Circle
Radius In Miles
Glennallen $180 8 Foot
Lengths
23 21
Kenny Lake $200 8 Foot
Lengths
64 47
Table 21. Delivered costs and mileage for firewood sources.
B. Biomass Volume for Five Working Circles
Delivered firewood costs are highly correlated to haul distances. Generally to accurately
ascertain the feasibility of a particular biomass project, harvest operation areas defined in
working circles can be analyzed for volume quantity, geographic availability and cost of wood.
Although the delivered cost and current working circle radius from the two communities to the
mile 166 harvest site has been determined, calculating the economic availability of biomass fuels
in an entire working circle is difficult because of lack of established infrastructure and barriers to
adding new infrastructure. Major barriers to access include the Trans Alaska Pipeline and the
numerous incised river systems. To provide a more realistic calculation of the economic
availability of biomass, timberland area within the working circles has been reduced to show the
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
30
potential operable areas. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate five 10-mile working circles with operable
timberland areas identified surrounding Glennallen and Kenny Lake. Operable areas were
determined through field reconnaissance and discussions with Division of Forestry,
Valdez/Copper River Area, forestry personnel. Operable acreage and volume by stratum for the
five 10-mile working circles are shown in tables 21 and 22. Established delivered costs to
Glennallen and Kenny Lake were interpolated to calculate delivered cost per cord by working
circle radius mileage (figure 10). These values were converted to a green ton basis in figure 11
by applying the pounds per cubic foot spruce conversion factor (34 pounds/cubic foot).
C. Annual Biomass Yield for Five Working Circles
Volume availability on an annual basis was determined by multiplying the inventory net growth
rates percentages by strata (table 19) by the operable working circle volume. The annual volume
availability for both Glennallen and Kenny Lake are shown in tables 23 and 24 and figures 12
and 13.
The delivered cost information was then applied to the operable available volume to develop
supply curves in cunits and tons for Glennallen and Kenny Lake. For this analysis it is assumed
that delivered cost per cord is equivalent to a cunit basis (i.e. $/cord=$/cunit).
Utilizing the maximum radius of 50 miles if a facility was constructed in Glennallen there would
potentially be available on an annual basis a sustainable volume of approximately 4,200 cords.
Utilizing this same radius if a facility was constructed in Kenny Lake there would potentially be
available on an annual basis a sustainable volume of approximately 2,800 cords. In both cases
this volume could be available at a cost of about $204.00 per cord. It should be noted that
delivered fuelwood costs are based on current retail rates for the two communities. If suppliers
were contracted to deliver to a single location at a fixed price and volume guarantee, it is likely
that the delivered cost would be lower than stated here.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
31
Figure 9. Ten mile circles and operable forestland around Glennallen.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
32
Figure 10. Ten mile circles and operable forestland around Kenny Lake.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
33
Table 22. Glennallen area working circle operable acreage and volume.
Table 23. Kenny Lake area working circle operable acreage and volume.
0-10 Miles
10-20 Miles
20-30 Miles
30-40 Miles
40-50 Miles
Totals
Stratum Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons
1 204 2,709 4,481 162 2,148 3,553 28 369 610 425 5,656 9,355 423 5,630 9,313 1,241 16,512 27,313
2 316 3,263 5,692 1,707 17,619 30,731 1,343 13,855 24,166 644 6,648 11,595 192 1,982 3,458 4,202 43,369 75,643
3 110 833 1,321 891 6,747 10,696 2,196 16,621 26,348 2,546 19,273 30,552 481 3,639 5,769 6,224 47,114 74,685
4 359 1,184 1,795 3,294 10,872 16,472 1,180 3,895 5,902 306 1,009 1,528 68 224 339 5,207 17,184 26,036
5 77 75 77 11,909 11,671 11,909 8,032 7,871 8,032 4,124 4,042 4,124 1,693 1,659 1,693 25,835 25,318 25,835
6 26 317 667 41 508 1,068 721 8,908 18,738 822 10,157 21,366 52 640 1,346 1,661 20,529 43,184
7 56 565 1,073 429 4,287 8,145 2,913 29,132 55,350 1,333 13,327 25,322 774 7,739 14,704 5,505 55,050 104,594
8 106 1,008 2,014 479 4,557 9,104 232 2,209 4,414 1,012 9,626 19,231 48 458 915 1,878 17,858 35,678
1,254 9,955 17,119 18,912 58,408 91,678 16,645 82,861 143,561 11,212 69,737 123,074 3,731 21,971 37,537 51,753 242,933 412,968
0-10 Miles
10-20 Miles
20-30 Miles
30-40 Miles
40-50 Miles
Totals
Stratum Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons Acres Cunits Tons
1 25 331 547 97 1,295 2,143 204 2,709 4,481 59 787 1,301 129 1,712 2,831 514 6,833 11,303
2 0 0 0 284 2,928 5,107 169 1,745 3,044 510 5,261 9,177 2,044 21,094 36,792 3,007 31,028 54,119
3 69 523 829 1,280 9,688 15,358 92 696 1,103 124 939 1,488 1,818 13,762 21,816 3,383 25,608 40,594
4 0 0 0 154 508 769 60 199 301 406 1,341 2,031 3,881 12,808 19,406 4,502 14,855 22,508
5 104 102 104 1,283 1,257 1,283 76 75 76 286 280 286 16,479 16,150 16,479 18,228 17,864 18,228
6 215 2,654 5,584 543 6,707 14,109 146 1,807 3,802 37 457 962 384 4,751 9,994 1,325 16,377 34,451
7 307 3,066 5,826 932 9,321 17,710 77 767 1,458 119 1,195 2,270 1,423 14,225 27,028 2,857 28,575 54,292
8 67 636 1,271 602 5,723 11,433 381 3,625 7,242 116 1,106 2,210 424 4,028 8,048 1,590 15,118 30,205
786 7,312 14,160 5,174 37,428 67,913 1,205 11,622 21,506 1,658 11,366 19,726 26,582 88,530 142,395 35,405 156,258 265,699
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
34
Figure 11. Delivered price per cord by working circle radius.
Figure 12. Delivered price per green ton by working circle radius.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
35
Table 24. Glennallen area working circle annual volume availability.
Table 25. Kenny Lake area working circle annual volume availability.
0-10 Miles 10-20 Miles 20-30 Miles 30-40 Miles 40-50 Miles Totals
Stratum Cunits Tons Cunits Tons Cunits Tons Cunits Tons Cunits Tons Cunits Tons
1 25 42 20 33 3 6 53 87 52 87 154 254
2 32 55 171 298 134 234 64 112 19 34 421 734
3 2 4 19 30 47 74 54 86 10 16 132 209
4 12 18 107 161 38 58 10 15 2 3 168 255
5 1 1 209 213 141 144 72 74 30 30 453 462
6 12 26 20 42 351 738 400 842 25 53 809 1,701
7 15 29 117 222 792 1,506 363 689 210 400 1,497 2,845
8 32 64 144 289 70 140 305 610 15 29 566 1,131
132 239 806 1,288 1,577 2,899 1,321 2,514 364 652 4,200 7,592
0-10 Miles 10-20 Miles 20-30 Miles 30-40 Miles 40-50 Miles Totals
Stratum Cunits Tons Cunits Tons Cunits Tons Cunits Tons Cunits Tons Cunits Tons
1 3 5 12 20 25 42 7 12 16 26 64 105
2 0 0 28 50 17 30 51 89 205 357 301 525
3 1 2 27 43 2 3 3 4 39 61 72 114
4 0 0 5 8 2 3 13 20 126 190 146 221
5 2 2 23 23 1 1 5 5 289 295 320 326
6 105 220 264 556 71 150 18 38 187 394 645 1,357
7 83 158 254 482 21 40 32 62 387 735 777 1,477
8 20 40 181 362 115 230 35 70 128 255 479 958
215 428 794 1,543 254 498 165 300 1,375 2,314 2,803 5,082
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
36
Figure 13. Cumulative volume availability by radii to Glennallen.
Figure 14. Cumulative volume availability by radii to Kenny Lake.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
37
Figure 15. Supply curve for fuelwood in cords to Glennallen.
Figure 16. Supply curve for fuelwood in green tons to Glennallen.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
38
Figure 17. Supply curve for fuelwood in cords to Kenny Lake.
Figure 18. Supply curve for fuelwood in green tons to Kenny Lake.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
39
VII. LITERATURE CITED
Ashton, S., L. McDonell, and K. Barnes. 2008. Woody biomass desk guide and toolkit. National
Association of Conservation Districts. U.S. Department of Interior and the USDA Forest Service.
118p.
Husch, B., T.W. Beers, J.A. Kershaw. 2002. Forest Mensuration, Fourth Edition. John Wiley
and Sons.
Smith, B., P.D. Miles, C.H. Perry, S.A. Pugh. 2007. Forest Resources of the United States, 2007.
USDA Forest Service.
Sturgeon, J. 1979. Wood as a fuel. Series No. R10-40. USDA Forest Service Alaska Region.
Swanson, D.K. 1996. Susceptibility of permafrost soils to deep thaw after forest fires in interior
Alaska, U.S.A. and some ecologic implications. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research. 28(2):
217-227.
Viereck, L.A., C.T. Dyrness, A.R. Batten, K.J. Wenzlick. 1992. The Alaska vegetation
classification. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-286. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range
Experiment Station.
Yarie, J., E. Kane, M. Mack. 2007. Aboveground biomass equations for the trees of interior
Alaska. University of Alaska Fairbanks. AFES Bulletin 115.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
A-1
Appendix A
Volume Per Acre and Total Volume by Stratum, Species and Size Class
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
A-2
Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber Acreage = 6,756
Trees/ BA/ Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Total Total Total Total Total Total
Ac Ac CF/ CF/ Tons/ Tons/ BF/ BF/ Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
Ac Ac Ac Ac Ac Ac CF CF Tons Tons BF BF
Aspen
Saw Live 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 27,406 13,703
Species Totals 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 27,406 13,703
Balsam Poplar
Saw Live 1 1 13 10 0 0 25 21 88,120 68,660 1,895 1,476 169,489 139,703
Species Totals 1 1 13 10 0 0 25 21 88,120 68,660 1,895 1,476 169,489 139,703
Black Spruce
Pole Live 6 1 9 9 0 0 62,258 59,358 1,058 1,009
Species Totals 6 1 9 9 0 0 62,258 59,358 1,058 1,009
White Spruce
Saw Dead 19 14 315 253 5 4 1,376 1,084 2,126,561 1,710,649 36,152 29,081 9,296,153 7,324,679
Pole Live 97 26 431 420 7 7 2,912,468 2,837,792 49,512 48,242
Pole Dead 28 8 124 97 2 2 835,589 652,897 14,205 11,099
Saw Live 66 42 929 891 16 15 3,935 3,772 6,279,970 6,020,914 106,759 102,356 26,585,020 25,486,309
Species Totals 210 91 1,799 1,661 31 28 5,311 4,856 12,154,588 11,222,252 206,628 190,778 35,881,173 32,810,988
Strata Totals 218 93 1,821 1,680 31 29 5,340 4,879 12,304,965 11,350,270 209,581 193,264 36,078,068 32,964,395
Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed Acreage = 20,637
Balsam Poplar
Pole Live 0 0 4 1 0 0 73,218 18,304 1,574 394
Saw Live 2 2 31 28 1 1 129 116 645,907 581,316 13,887 12,498 2,667,625 2,400,863
Species Totals 2 2 35 29 1 1 129 116 719,124 599,620 15,461 12,892 2,667,625 2,400,863
Black Spruce
Saw Live 0 0 3 2 0 0 14 11 57,917 41,722 985 709 281,153 224,922
Pole Dead 6 1 15 14 0 0 306,975 288,667 5,219 4,907
Pole Live 39 8 81 78 1 1 1,674,196 1,604,515 28,461 27,277
Species Totals 45 9 99 94 2 2 14 11 2,039,088 1,934,904 34,664 32,893 281,153 224,922
White Spruce Pole Live 153 37 514 509 9 9 10,613,252 10,508,418 180,425 178,643
Saw Dead 12 8 157 149 3 3 631 604 3,239,586 3,067,961 55,073 52,155 13,021,917 12,473,360
Saw Live 33 19 422 414 7 7 1,766 1,729 8,707,599 8,533,795 148,029 145,075 36,453,452 35,683,715
Pole Dead 14 4 50 49 1 1 1,035,865 1,007,843 17,610 17,133
Species Totals 212 68 1,143 1,120 19 19 2,397 2,334 23,596,301 23,118,018 401,137 393,006 49,475,369 48,157,075
Strata Totals 259 79 1,277 1,243 22 21 2,540 2,461 26,354,514 25,652,542 451,263 438,792 52,424,147 50,782,860
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
A-3
Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open Acreage = 30,210
Trees/ BA/ Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Total Total Total Total Total Total
Ac Ac CF/ CF/ Tons/ Tons/ BF/ BF/ Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
Ac Ac Ac Ac Ac Ac CF CF Tons Tons BF BF
Black Spruce
Pole Live 19 4 55 51 1 1 1,666,630 1,538,205 28,333 26,149
Species Totals 19 4 55 51 1 1 1,666,630 1,538,205 28,333 26,149
White Spruce
Saw Live 23 18 393 376 7 6 1,725 1,650 11,871,722 11,344,273 201,819 192,853 52,112,939 49,852,971
Saw Dead 8 8 170 124 3 2 758 547 5,131,434 3,745,998 87,234 63,682 22,893,674 16,510,874
Pole Live 97 26 341 330 6 6 10,308,739 9,969,919 175,249 169,489
Pole Dead 13 5 80 74 1 1 2,414,382 2,240,895 41,044 38,095
Species Totals 142 57 984 904 17 15 2,483 2,197 29,726,277 27,301,086 505,347 464,118 75,006,612 66,363,845
Strata Totals 162 61 1,039 955 18 16 2,483 2,197 31,392,907 28,839,291 533,679 490,268 75,006,612 66,363,845
Stratum 4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction ClosedAcreage = 10,220
Black Spruce
Pole Live 158 27 233 224 4 4 2,377,726 2,291,060 40,421 38,948
Species Totals 158 27 233 224 4 4 2,377,726 2,291,060 40,421 38,948
White Spruce
Pole Live 34 8 92 88 2 1 939,167 900,278 15,966 15,305
Saw Live 0 1 18 18 0 0 78 78 184,010 184,010 3,128 3,128 798,249 798,249
Species Totals 34 9 110 106 2 2 78 78 1,123,177 1,084,288 19,094 18,433 798,249 798,249
Strata Totals 192 36 343 330 6 6 78 78 3,500,902 3,375,348 59,515 57,381 798,249 798,249
Stratum 5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open Acreage = 94,794
Black Spruce Pole Live 14 2 12 12 0 0 1,130,595 1,130,595 19,220 19,220
Species Totals 14 2 12 12 0 0 1,130,595 1,130,595 19,220 19,220
White Spruce
Pole Live 23 5 60 60 1 1 5,676,144 5,676,144 96,494 96,494
Saw Live 5 3 43 26 1 0 199 119 4,082,890 2,449,734 69,409 41,645 18,830,040 11,298,024
Species Totals 28 8 103 86 2 1 199 119 9,759,034 8,125,878 165,904 138,140 18,830,040 11,298,024
Strata Totals 41 10 115 98 2 2 199 119 10,889,629 9,256,473 185,124 157,360 18,830,040 11,298,024
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
A-4
Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber Acreage = 11,738
Trees/ BA/ Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Total Total Total Total Total Total
Ac Ac CF/ CF/ Tons/ Tons/ BF/ BF/ Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
Ac Ac Ac Ac Ac Ac CF CF Tons Tons BF BF
Aspen
Saw Live 27 13 188 180 4 4 395 383 2,204,397 2,115,318 47,395 45,479 4,632,947 4,500,628
Pole Live 258 56 818 796 18 17 9,597,461 9,343,289 206,345 200,881
Species Totals 285 69 1,005 976 22 21 395 383 11,801,858 11,458,607 253,740 246,360 4,632,947 4,500,628
Balsam Poplar
Pole Live 3 1 8 0 0 0 93,705 937 2,015 20
Species Totals 3 1 8 0 0 0 93,705 937 2,015 20
White Spruce
Saw Live 10 6 105 105 2 2 463 463 1,234,291 1,234,291 20,983 20,983 5,431,381 5,431,381
Pole Live 36 11 159 155 3 3 1,871,499 1,817,778 31,815 30,902
Species Totals 46 17 265 260 4 4 463 463 3,105,790 3,052,069 52,798 51,885 5,431,381 5,431,381
Strata Totals 334 87 1,278 1,236 26 25 857 846 15,001,353 14,511,613 308,553 298,265 10,064,328 9,932,009
Stratum 7 White Spruce Aspen Poletimber Acreage = 33,822
Aspen
Pole Live 55 16 291 290 6 6 9,828,210 9,806,933 211,307 210,849
Saw Live 9 4 59 54 1 1 107 95 1,980,575 1,816,029 42,582 39,045 3,618,148 3,221,334
Species Totals 64 20 349 344 8 7 107 95 11,808,784 11,622,962 253,889 249,894 3,618,148 3,221,334
Birch
Pole Live 3 1 10 8 0 0 345,641 276,513 8,641 6,913
Saw Live 1 1 10 8 0 0 16 13 348,475 278,780 8,712 6,969 551,137 440,910
Species Totals 4 2 21 16 1 0 16 13 694,116 555,293 17,353 13,882 551,137 440,910
Black Spruce
Pole Live 18 3 33 26 1 0 1,130,633 869,490 19,221 14,781
Pole Dead 7 2 23 21 0 0 770,936 693,842 13,106 11,795
Species Totals 25 5 56 46 1 1 1,901,569 1,563,332 32,327 26,577
White Spruce
Saw Live 23 13 214 205 4 3 942 899 7,245,420 6,924,067 123,172 117,709 31,852,141 30,412,704
Pole Live 119 29 412 409 7 7 13,945,757 13,845,312 237,078 235,370
Species Totals 142 42 627 614 11 10 942 899 21,191,177 20,769,379 360,250 353,079 31,852,141 30,412,704
Strata Totals 235 68 1,052 1,020 20 19 1,065 1,007 35,595,646 34,510,967 663,818 643,432 36,021,425 34,074,948
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
A-5
Stratum 8 White Spruce Balsam Poplar Acreage = 11,372
Trees/ BA/ Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Total Total Total Total Total Total
Ac Ac CF/ CF/ Tons/ Tons/ BF/ BF/ Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
Ac Ac Ac Ac Ac Ac CF CF Tons Tons BF BF
Aspen
Pole Live 13 3 25 23 1 0 288,886 259,998 6,211 5,590
Species Totals 13 3 25 23 1 0 288,886 259,998 6,211 5,590
Balsam Poplar
Saw Live 39 29 460 419 10 9 1,276 1,140 5,225,964 4,769,035 112,358 102,534 14,506,346 12,964,955
Pole Live 44 13 213 212 5 5 2,421,503 2,405,248 52,062 51,713
Species Totals 83 42 672 631 14 14 1,276 1,140 7,647,466 7,174,283 164,421 154,247 14,506,346 12,964,955
White Spruce
Saw Live 3 3 64 60 1 1 279 263 729,444 686,556 12,401 11,671 3,176,093 2,992,709
Saw Dead 0 0 7 6 0 0 30 24 79,945 63,956 1,359 1,087 346,429 277,143
Pole Live 87 19 243 237 4 4 2,764,577 2,691,810 46,998 45,761
Species Totals 90 23 314 303 5 5 310 288 3,573,966 3,442,323 60,757 58,519 3,522,522 3,269,852
Strata Totals 185 68 1,012 956 20 19 1,585 1,428 11,510,319 10,876,603 231,389 218,357 18,028,869 16,234,807
146,550,235 Gross Cubic Feet 138,373,108 Net Cubic Feet
Grand Totals = 219,550 Acres 247,251,739 Gross Board Feet 222,449,137 Net Board Feet
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
B-1
Appendix B
Stand Tables Per Acre by Stratum and Species
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
B-2
DBH # of Trees BA Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
CF CF Tons Tons BF BF
Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber Acreage = 6,756
Aspen 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 2
Totals 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 2
Balsam Poplar 10 0 0 3 2 0 0 3 2 11 1 1 6 4 0 0 6 4 13 0 0 4 3 0 0 16 14
Totals 1 1 13 10 0 0 25 21
Black Spruce 5 1 0 1 1 0 0 6 5 1 8 8 0 0
Totals 6 1 9 9 0 0
White Spruce 5 16 2 22 22 0 0 6 29 6 73 71 1 1 7 40 11 177 166 3 3 8 28 10 181 167 3 3 9 34 16 321 301 5 5 841 801 10 30 16 350 325 6 6 1,441 1,337 11 13 9 197 181 3 3 843 769 12 10 8 186 176 3 3 819 781 13 5 5 125 97 2 2 572 440 14 2 3 80 79 1 1 378 376 15 2 3 48 43 1 1 223 194 16 2 2 38 32 1 1 194 157
Totals 210 91 1,799 1,661 31 28 5,311 4,856
Totals for stratum White Spruce Sawtimber 218 93 1,821 1,680 31 29 5,340 4,879
Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber Closed Acreage = 20,637
Balsam Poplar 13 1 1 14 10 0 0 40 36 15 0 1 10 9 0 0 43 39 16 0 1 10 9 0 0 46 41
Totals 2 2 35 29 1 1 129 116
Black Spruce 5 21 3 24 24 0 0 6 16 3 34 33 1 1 7 5 1 19 18 0 0 8 3 1 18 17 0 0 10 0 0 3 2 0 0 14 11
Totals 45 9 99 94 2 2 14 11
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
B-3
DBH # of Trees BA Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
CF CF Tons Tons BF BF
White Spruce 5 33 4 35 35 1 1 6 62 13 158 156 3 3 7 40 11 173 171 3 3 8 19 7 104 102 2 2 9 23 11 196 193 3 3 287 381 10 16 9 188 185 3 3 494 758 11 8 4 84 79 1 1 270 325 12 5 4 102 102 2 2 445 445 13 3 2 54 54 1 1 240 237 15 2 1 33 32 1 1 151 147 17 0 0 9 8 0 0 49 40 19 0 0 6 3 0 0
Totals 212 68 1,143 1,120 19 19 1,935 2,334
Totals for stratum White Spruce Poletimber Closed 259 79 1,277 1,243 22 21 2,078 2,461
Stratum 3 White Spruce Poletimber Open Acreage = 30,210
Black Spruce 5 8 1 9 8 0 0 6 4 1 12 11 0 0 7 6 2 21 20 0 0 8 2 1 14 12 0 0
Totals 19 4 55 51 1 1
White Spruce 5 22 4 28 27 0 0 6 24 5 54 52 1 1 7 25 7 96 92 2 2 8 29 10 160 155 3 3 9 16 7 133 128 2 2 200 199 10 6 3 61 52 1 1 262 223 11 3 2 49 47 1 1 209 199 12 7 5 115 109 2 2 502 476 13 4 4 74 64 1 1 315 269 14 2 2 43 40 1 1 192 180 15 2 2 52 49 1 1 237 224 16 1 1 18 9 0 0 86 41 17 1 1 26 18 0 0 121 86 18 1 1 21 10 0 0 98 46 19 0 1 16 15 0 0 75 69 23 0 1 19 18 0 0 92 91 24 0 1 19 19 0 0 93 92
Totals 142 57 984 904 17 15 2,483 2,197
Totals for stratum White Spruce Poletimber Open 162 61 1,039 955 18 16 2,483 2,197
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
B-4
DBH # of Trees BA Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
CF CF Tons Tons BF BF
Stratum 4 Black & White Spruce Reproduction ClosedAcreage = 10,220
Black Spruce 5 108 16 105 101 2 2 6 33 6 64 61 1 1 7 12 3 41 40 1 1 8 5 2 23 22 0 0
Totals 158 27 233 224 4 4
White Spruce 6 21 4 40 38 1 1 7 13 4 48 46 1 1 8 0 0 4 4 0 0 10 0 1 18 18 0 0 78 78
Totals 34 9 110 106 2 2 78 78
Totals for stratum Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed 192 36 343 330 6 6 78 78
Stratum 5 Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open Acreage = 94,794
Black Spruce 5 14 2 12 12 0 0
Totals 14 2 12 12 0 0
White Spruce 6 12 2 18 18 0 0 7 7 2 25 25 0 0 8 4 1 17 17 0 0 10 5 3 43 26 1 0 199 119
Totals 28 8 103 86 2 1 199 119
Totals for stratum Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open 41 10 115 98 2 2 199 119
Stratum 6 Aspen Poletimber Acreage = 11,738
Aspen 5 91 13 162 160 3 3 6 83 16 211 206 5 4 7 51 14 228 221 5 5 8 27 10 176 167 4 4 9 17 7 116 110 2 2 95 88 10 12 4 47 45 1 1 74 72 11 5 3 58 58 1 1 188 186 12 0 0 8 8 0 0 38 37
Totals 285 69 1,005 976 22 21 395 383
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
B-5
DBH # of Trees BA Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
CF CF Tons Tons BF BF
Balsam Poplar 8 3 1 8 0 0 0
Totals 3 1 8 0 0 0
White Spruce 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 7 1 14 14 0 0 7 5 1 26 25 0 0 8 14 5 73 71 1 1 9 9 4 60 58 1 1 53 53 10 2 1 17 17 0 0 74 74 11 5 2 24 24 0 0 107 107 13 2 2 31 31 1 1 137 137 15 1 1 20 20 0 0 92 92
Totals 46 17 265 260 4 4 463 463
Totals for stratum Aspen Poletimber 334 87 1,278 1,236 26 25 857 846
Stratum 7 White Spruce Aspen Poletimber Acreage = 33,822
Aspen 6 24 5 83 83 2 2 7 12 3 64 64 1 1 8 15 5 109 109 2 2 9 8 4 66 65 1 1 39 39 10 4 2 28 23 1 0 68 56
Totals 64 20 349 344 8 7 107 95
Birch 7 3 1 10 8 0 0 9 1 1 10 8 0 0 16 13
Totals 4 2 21 16 1 0 16 13
Black Spruce 5 7 1 4 4 0 0 6 3 1 4 4 0 0 7 15 4 48 39 1 1
Totals 25 5 56 46 1 1
White Spruce 5 12 2 17 17 0 0 6 59 12 143 141 2 2 7 34 9 139 138 2 2 8 11 4 75 75 1 1 9 10 5 83 75 1 1 277 239 10 5 2 40 40 1 1 178 178 11 5 3 48 48 1 1 209 209 12 6 4 60 60 1 1 179 179 13 1 1 22 21 0 0 99 94
Totals 142 42 627 614 11 10 942 899
Totals for stratum White Spruce Aspen Poletimber 235 68 1,052 1,020 20 19 1,065 1,007
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
B-6
DBH # of Trees BA Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
CF CF Tons Tons BF BF
Stratum 8 White Spruce Balsam Poplar Acreage = 11,372
Aspen 6 7 2 13 12 0 0 7 6 2 12 11 0 0
Totals 13 3 25 23 1 0
Balsam Poplar 6 17 3 29 29 1 1 7 4 1 24 23 1 0 8 15 5 85 84 2 2 9 19 9 139 136 3 3 21 20 10 15 8 138 134 3 3 185 183 11 7 5 98 92 2 2 244 235 12 2 2 41 34 1 1 157 146 13 2 3 55 52 1 1 220 212 14 2 4 48 32 1 1 253 178 17 1 2 15 13 0 0 195 167
Totals 83 42 672 631 14 14 1,276 1,140
White Spruce 5 29 4 35 35 1 1 6 36 7 86 86 1 1 7 8 2 28 27 0 0 8 11 4 74 70 1 1 9 3 1 20 18 0 0 11 1 1 22 19 0 0 98 84 12 2 1 28 27 0 0 120 118 13 0 0 7 6 0 0 30 24 14 0 1 14 14 0 0 61 61
Totals 90 23 314 303 5 5 310 288
Totals for stratum White Spruce Balsam Poplar 185 68 1,012 956 20 19 1,585 1,428
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
C-1
Appendix C
Log Grade by Stratum
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
C-2
Puget Sound Log Scaling and Grading Bureau Specifications
Species Grade
No.
Gross
Diameter
Gross
Length
Minimum
Volume
Surface Annual
Ring
Count
Slope of
Grain
White/Black
Spruce
1 20 Inches 16 Feet 75%
Clear
8 per Inch < 3
inches/foot
2 12 Inches 12 Feet 50%
Clear,
Knots <
2.5 inches
in
diameter
8 per Inch < 2
inches/foot
3 6 Inches 12 Feet 50 BF
Net
May include
excessive
slope with
deduction
4 5 Inches 12 Feet 10 BF
Net
Aspen/Birch 1 16 Inches 8 Feet 75%
Clear
2 12 Inches 8 Feet 50%
Clear
3 10 Inches 8 Feet 10 BF
Net
Balsam
Poplar
1 10 Inches 8 Feet < 4 Knots
per log
2 6 Inches 8 Feet
4 5 Inches 8 Feet 10 BF
Net
All Species 5 4 Inches 12 Feet 10 BF
Net
Utility Logs Logs do not meet sawmill grades, but are suitable for the production of firm
usable chips to an amount not less than 50% of gross scale. A log that is burned
or charred or is not mechanically barkable, shall not qualify as a Utility Log.
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
C-3
Log Grade Report by Strata
Grade 1st Log Grade 2nd Log # Of Trees Measured % Of Trees Measured
Stratum 1
White Spruce Sawtimber
Aspen
5 5 1 100% Total for Aspen 1
Balsam Poplar 5 5 3 100% Total for Balsam Poplar 3
White Spruce 4 3% 2 3 2 2% 3 3 2 2% 3 4 13 11% 3 5 1 1% 4 1 1% 4 4 67 57% 4 5 19 16% 5 1 1% 5 5 8 7% Total for White Spruce 118 Total for Stratum 1 122
Stratum 2
White Spruce Poletimber Closed
Balsam Poplar 2 5 2 67% 5 5 1 33% Total for Balsam Poplar 3
Black Spruce 5 5 1 100% Total for Black Spruce 1
White Spruce 3 6% 2 4 1 2% 2 5 1 2%
3 3 1 2% 3 4 9 19% 4 4 24 51% 4 5 6 13% 5 5 2 4% Total for White Spruce 47 Total for Stratum 2 51
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
C-4
Grade 1st Log Grade 2nd Log # Of Trees Measured % Of Trees Measured
Stratum 3
White Spruce Poletimber Open
White Spruce 1 3% 2 3 2 5% 3 3 1 3% 3 4 4 10% 3 5 3 8% 4 1 3% 4 4 18 45% 4 5 7 18% 5 1 3% 5 5 2 5% Total for White Spruce 40 Total for Stratum 3 40
Stratum 4
Black & White Spruce Reproduction Closed
White Spruce 3 4 1 50% 4 5 1 50% Total for White Spruce 2 Total for Stratum 4 2
Stratum 5
Black & White Spruce Reproduction Open
White Spruce 5 1 50% 5 5 1 50% Total for White Spruce 2 Total for Stratum 5 2
Stratum 6
Aspen Poletimber
Aspen 4 1 7% 4 4 10 67% 4 5 4 27% Total for Aspen 15
White Spruce 2 3 1 14% 3 4 1 14% 4 4 5 71% Total for White Spruce 7 Total for Stratum 6 22
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
C-5
Grade 1st Log Grade 2nd Log # Of Trees Measured % Of Trees Measured
Stratum 7
White Spruce Aspen Poletimber
Aspen 4 1 25% 4 5 2 50% 5 5 1 25% Total for Aspen 4
Birch 4 4 1 100% Total for Birch 1
White Spruce 4 1 9% 4 4 6 55% 4 5 3 27% 5 1 9% Total for White Spruce 11 Total for Stratum 7 16
Stratum 8
White Spruce Balsam Poplar
Balsam Poplar 1 2 7 15% 1 4 1 2% 2 2 11 23%
2 3 5 11% 2 4 8 17% 2 5 5 11% 4 1 2% 4 4 1 2% 4 5 1 2% 5 5 7 15% Total for Balsam Poplar 47
White Spruce 3 4 2 33% 4 4 1 17% 5 5 3 50% Total for White Spruce 6 Total for Stratum 8 53
Grand Total Trees Measured 308
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
D-1
Appendix D
Diameter/Height Relationships, Ten Year Growth, and Bark Thickness
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
D-2
"e" is a numerical constant that is equal to 2.71828
The corresponding Excel equation appears as follows:
Height = A Coefficient*POWER (e, B Coefficient/dbh)
Species A Coefficient B Coefficient C Coefficient
White Spruce 89.28 -4.9598 1
Black Spruce 67.86 -4.0686 1
Aspen 56.78 -1.4744 1
Balsam Poplar 85.23 -4.7001 1
Forest Resources on State Forest Lands In The Copper River Basin A Preliminary Estimate
D-3
Ten Year Radial Growth and Bark Thickness by Species
Species Radial Growth (In.) Single Bark Thickness (In.)
Aspen (47 detail records)
Average= 0.36 0.35
Balsam Poplar (38 detail records)
Average= 0.27 1.13
Birch (2 detail records)
Average= 0.27 0.40
Black Spruce (35 detail records)
Average= 0.08 0.39
White Spruce (303 detail records)
Average= 0.28 0.41
Bark Thickness Ratio by Species
DBH DIB* Bark Thickness Ratio
Aspen (47 detail records)
Sum= 366.20 333.20 0.910
Balsam Poplar (38 detail records)
Sum= 450.70 365.00 0.810
Birch (2 detail records)
Sum= 16.80 15.20 0.905
Black Spruce (35 detail records)
Sum= 222.10 195.00 0.878
White Spruce (303 detail records)
Sum= 2,878.90 2,632.10 0.914
Grand Total Sum= 3,934.70 3,540.50 0.900 Average All Species
*DIB = Diameter Inside Bark