Forest professionals responsible for planning and layout are more frequently implementing partial harvesting and thinning to satisfy many values, including community protection, visual quality, and habitat values.
Residual trees along edges and within openings may not be acclimated to changes in the wind environment that were induced by harvest patterns. Windthrow assessments are necessary to identify vulnerable edges to estimate the likelihood and consequence of windthrow to guide layout and evaluate the effectiveness of any post-harvest crown modification treatments to mitigate risk.
The Forest Professionals BC webinar Windthrow Assessment Tools for Forest Practitioners reviews broad windthrow concepts described in the B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) Windthrow Management Manual and demonstrates how to use the accompanying field cards with a case study. Reviewing the manual before this introductory webinar is recommended.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand broad concepts related to windthrow and windthrow management.
- Use windthrow assessment tools including field cards to integrate the key biophysical and harvesting hazards that contribute to windthrow likelihood.
- Evaluate consequences to quantify windthrow risk.
- Review strategies to mitigate windthrow risk.
Date: July 9
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Cost: free
Presenter: Ken Byrne, RPF, PhD
Byrne is a lecturer in the UBC Faculty of Forestry and co-ordinator for the Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) program. His relevant research includes the development of a spatial mechanistic model that calculates the loading and resistance of individual trees for better understanding and predictions of windthrow. Prior to joining UBC, he conducted operational trials and delivered workshops throughout BC and Alberta related to machine productivity, log quality, and commercial thinning with FPInnovations.
Recommended pre-reading: Windthrow Management Manual for Coastal British Columbia.
