Tree/Shrub Site Preparation

***Conservation Practice Job Sheet VT-490***

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Definition

Treatment of areas to improve site conditions for establishing trees and
shrubs.

Purpose

• Encourage natural regeneration of desirable woody plants.

• Permit artificial establishment of woody plants.

Where used

On all lands where establishment of woody plants is desired and
practical.

[NOTE]{.underline}: **The Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612) Job Sheet
should** [always]{.underline} **be used in conjunction with this job
sheet.**

Considerations

The method, intensity and timing of site preparation will match the
limitations of the site, equipment, and the requirements of the desired
woody species.

An appropriate site preparation method will be chosen to achieve the
intended purpose and to protect any desirable vegetation, site and soil
conditions. Other complementary practices and measures will be used as
necessary to control erosion, runoff, compaction and displacement to
acceptable levels.

Slash and debris shall be removed, treated or eliminated as appropriate.
Refer to the standard Forest Slash Treatment, 384.

Remaining slash and debris shall not create habitat for or harbor
harmful levels of pests.

Remaining slash and debris shall not hinder needed equipment operations
or create an undue fire hazard. Refer to the standard Prescribed
Burning, 338, for slash and debris that will be burned.

Measures, including the use of equipment, will be implemented to control
or protect against locally invasive and noxious species that may arise
from site preparation activities. If pesticides are used, refer to the
standard Pest Management, 595.

Comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations
during the installation, operation and maintenance of this practice
including "Vermont's Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining
Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont" (AMP's) and "Wetlands Rules
and Regulations: What they mean to your logging operation in Vermont".

Impacts on wildlife species, habitat and aesthetics should be considered
when selecting site preparation methods.

Particulates, smoke, and other air pollutants generated by site
preparation may have on-site and off-site effects on air quality.

Operation and maintenance

Maintain erosion control measures as necessary.

Control locally invasive and noxious plants as necessary. If pesticides
are used, refer to the standard Pest Management, 595.

Access by vehicles or equipment during or after site preparation shall
be controlled to minimize erosion, compaction and other site impacts.
Refer to the standard Use Exclusion, 472.

Specifications

Site-specific requirements are listed on the specifications sheet.
Additional provisions are entered on the job sketch sheet.
Specifications are prepared in accordance with the VT NRCS Field Office
Technical Guide. See practice standard and Supplemental Specifications
for Tree/Shrub Site Preparation, code 490 for specific requirements.

**Tree/Shrub Site Preparation -- Job Sheet**

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| *For:*                            | *Farm #:*                         |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| *Field(s):*                       | *Tract #:*                        |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| *Designed By:*                    | *Approved By:*                    |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | *Signature:*                      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| *Date:*                           | *Date:*                           |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ## Purpose (check all that apply) |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ## Encourage natural regen        | ## Permit artific                 |
| eration of desirable woody plants | ial establishment of woody plants |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ## Site Prepa                     |                                   |
| ration for: (check all that apply |                                   |
| ) (Refer to VT Standard & Specifi |                                   |
| cation Tree/Shrub Site Preparatio |                                   |
| n, 490 for specific requirements) |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| -   Natural Regeneration after    | -   Artificial Regeneration in    |
|     harvest                       |     undesirable forest or brush   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| -   Natural Regeneration for      | -   Artificial Regeneration in    |
|     forested wetland restoration  |     field                         |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| -   Other                         | -   Other                         |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
| # |   |               |     |                                      |
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+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
| F | A | Method^1^     | D   | Remarks                              |
| i | c |               | ate |                                      |
| e | r |               |     |                                      |
| l | e |               |     |                                      |
| d | s |               |     |                                      |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
| # | # | ##            | ##  | ##                                   |
| # | # |               |     |                                      |
|   |   |               |     |                                      |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
|   |   |               |     |                                      |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
| # | # | ##            | ##  | ##                                   |
| # | # |               |     |                                      |
|   |   |               |     |                                      |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
|   |   |               |     |                                      |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
| # | # | ##            | ##  | ##                                   |
| # | # |               |     |                                      |
|   |   |               |     |                                      |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
|   |   |               |     |                                      |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
| # | # | ##            | ##  | ##                                   |
| # | # |               |     |                                      |
|   |   |               |     |                                      |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+
|   |   |               |     |                                      |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------------------------+

^1^Specify method, - Options are:

**Chemical** - provide product name, strength and amount used, and
purpose in remarks column (For recommendations refer to the most recent
*[New England Guide to Chemical Weed and Brush Control in Christmas
Trees)]{.underline}*

**Mechanical-hand** (girdling or removing the outer bark of vegetation)

**Mechanical-machine** ***in* *Fields***-[mowing]{.underline} (used for
abandoned pasture and cropland)/[harrowing, disking or
plowing]{.underline} (used for cleared areas, sodded areas and on areas
lightly covered with brush)/[subsoiling]{.underline} (mainly for white
pine regeneration in fields with a plow-caused hardpan soil
layer)/[bedding]{.underline} (for high water tables, that are not
wetlands)

**Mechanical-machine** ***in* *Brush and Woods***-[logging]{.underline}
(disturbs soil)/[chopping]{.underline} (used on brush and small tree
diameter ≤ 5 inches)/[shearing]{.underline} (used on vegetation diameter
≥ 8 inches)/[blading]{.underline} (removal of all vegetation using a
straight-blade dozer). Usually vegetation is pushed into contour
windrows, especially if the area is to be planted by machine. Windrowing
is usually an added expense and should be noted in the remarks column.

**Prescribed burning** -- all burns must be conducted by personnel
certified for prescribed burning and in accordance with all federal,
state and local laws and regulations.

**Shelterwood, Seed-tree or Clearcut harvesting systems** Refer to VT
Standard and Specification 490 for specific requirements.

NEPA requirements met, including cultural resource assessment?\_\_\_\_\_
Permits required?\_\_\_\_\_\_Permit No.\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (if Yes)

Questions regarding the planting or maintenance of the tree/shrub
establishment should be directed to State Resource Specialist, at
(802)951-6796.

**Tree/Shrub Site Preparation -- Job Sheet**

If needed, an aerial view or a side view of the practice can be shown
below. Other relevant information, complementary practices and measures,
and additional specifications may be included.

Scale 1\"=\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ft. (NA indicates sketch not to scale: grid
size=1/2\" by 1/2\")

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  **Additional Specifications and Notes: (**Indicate from methods table
  field and acres corresponding to additional notes**)**

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