After harvest, unmerchantable limbs and stems are left either scattered across the area or concentrated at logging decks or delimbing gates, depending upon the method of logging. This material is an impediment to both people and planting equipment. Although not all large material will be consumed by a prescribed fire, what is left will be exposed so it can be avoided by tractor-plow operators. In stands that produce a large amount of cull material, the debris is often windrowed and burned. This practice should, however, be avoided whenever practical because of smoke management problems and the potential for site degradation.
Broadcast burning is generally a much better alternative.
This step will limit the amount of dirt in the pile. Piles containing large amounts of dirt can seldom be burned efficiently. They almost always smolder for long periods, creating unacceptable smoke problems. In some cases overstory pines are left during harvest as seed trees, and in others an unevenaged management system such as shelterwood is used. In both situations, the logging debris can still be burned, but you must take more care to protect the remaining trees.