USFS Tahoe National Forest: Graveyard/Sleighville Mark and Cruise

In 2023, Mason, Bruce & Girard contracted with the Tahoe National Forest to complete marking and cruising on 5,000 acres. Timber marking and sample tree cruising was performed within the larger trapper projects on the Yuba Ranger District. The marking was accomplished across both tractor and cable thinning units in exceptionally dense and brushy vegetation conditions, spread out amongst a large project area.

Cruising
MB&G staff followed a cruise design and plan from the USFS. A safety and health plan was established, which included an overview of management commitment, employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and training for employees. A project staffing schedule and plan was created and cruisers were briefed on project goals and objectives with cruise instructions. The cruisers documented defect deductions on measured trees and recorded all unusual features. Audits were conducted by MB&G Registered Professional Foresters. Cruising was completed by November 1, 2023 on schedule.

Marking
Marking met the standards and guidelines in the Timber Cruising Handbook WO and R5 Supplements of FSH 2409.12, chapter 70, and the forest’s Timber Theft Prevention Plan (TTPP). Trees that could not be easily accessed or removed were flagged: Blue and black striped flagging – trees in close proximity to other cut trees, rocks, archeology exclusion zones. Blue and white striped flagging – riparian or hydrologically sensitive zones. Orange flagging – botany exclusion zones.

See our full project sheet here.