Flathead National Forest/Coram Experimental Forest - Resistance

Treatment: maintain relatively unchanged conditions over time

Management Goals

Looking up at the sky through the forest canopy.
Trout Lake treatment; Photo Credit: Melissa Jenkins, Flathead National Forest.
 
  • Maintain pre-treatment species composition and structure of western larch and mixed conifer, but with slightly decreased representation of shade-intolerant species
  • Sustain vigor of existing desirable trees
  • Maintain fire-resistant trees with thick bark, high crowns, and low canopy bulk density
  • Maintain low surface fuels
  • Maintain tree health with low incidence of insects and diseases

Strategies & approaches

  • Uniform thin of retaining shade-intolerant conifer species to 75-85 ft2/acre
  • Favor western larch retention
  • Reduce ladder fuels and burn slash piles 

Site Leads & Partners

Justin Crotteau (USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station) is the site lead for the Northern Rockies ASCC site, whose team currently includes David Wright (USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station) and Elliott Meyer (USDA Flathead National Forest). Past team members include Elaine Kennedy Sutherland, Terrie Jain, Chris Keyes, Melissa Jenkins, and Amanda Rollwage.

Justin Crotteau
Site Lead

Research Forester
Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service
Missoula Forestry Sciences Lab
800 East Beckwith Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
Phone: 406-542-4169
Justin.crotteau@usda.gov

David Wright
Manager

Ecologist, Manager Coram Experimental Forest
Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service
Missoula Forestry Sciences Lab
800 East Beckwith Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
Phone: 406-542-4181
david.wright2@usda.gov