Eucalyptus Removal

 

1. Name - Point Reyes Eucalyptus Removal

Context | Objectives | Treatment Specifics | Utilization | Targets | Pre Treatment Data | Post  Treatment Data | Links

Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) staff have been carrying out thinning in eucalyptus forests along the Highway One corridor and the Palomarin trailhead intermittently since February of 2005. The Seashore Fire Management Plan (FMP) called for continued reduction of the acreage of non-native evergreen forests within the Seashore for purposes of fuel reduction, fire hazard abatement, and habitat restoration. To date, approximately 35 acres have been thinned.

The thinning prescription was to remove nearly all accessible trees under 18 inches DBH, which made up the majority of stems. Trees roughly between 24 and 18 inches DBH that were readily accessible from the primary trails were also to be removed. Where feasible, native species, including Douglas-fir, coast live oak, and California bay, were protected and retained during thinning and dragging.

Photopoint before and after treatment

The project was conducted by the PRNS fuels crew using chainsaws and hand tools to cut the wood and a chipper to chip and spread wood on site. In some areas, the crew used chains or winches to haul sections of trunk upslope. Stumps were immediately treated with the herbicide glyphosate as soon as the trees were cut in order to prevent resprouting. The herbicide was applied directly to the cut stump by staff with the necessary training and qualifications.

The forest understory was primarily non-native invasive plants. The thinning operation chipped and broadcast much of the downed eucalyptus wood onsite to bury extensive areas infested with cape ivy, English ivy, velvet grass, French broom, pittosporum, etc. Some wood was cut and stacked for use as firewood by local residents.

Wood from a subsection of the project (1 to 2 acres; approximately 60 tons) was removed and used for cogeneration by the contractor Wheelabrator Technologies. The Seashore paid Wheelabrator approximately $20,000 to haul this material.


Figure 3. Change in Size Class Distribution

Monitoring has been conducted within this treatment site to quantify changes in biomass, fuel loading and non-native species cover. These changes are quantified in Figures 1 through 3.

Figure 1. Change in Basal Area


Figure 2. Change in Fuel Loading

Links

• Flyer on NPS Eucalyptus Removal
• Point Reyes National Seashore