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.
While conducting stand exams for the Upper Grouse Valley Project in California, MB&G foresters Ande Myers, Ian Cummins, and Rubie Teffeteller came across these impressive giant puffball mushrooms.
READ MOREMB&G is supporting PG&E with a hazard tree patrol to identify dead and dying trees along the Salt Springs/Tiger Creek Canal system in California. The canal system’s primary purpose is to supply water for hydropower generation. As the water continues downstream, it also becomes a source of drinking water for local utility districts. These historic canals have played an important role in Amador County for decades and present a unique environment for forestry work. Projects like this highlight the diverse and specialized work our California forestry team performs across the state.
READ MORECruise data collection has evolved, but many organizations are still relying on outdated software and hardware that weren’t built for modern forestry workflows. MBG T2 Mobile was developed to change that. Watch the video below to see MBG T2 Mobile in action and learn how it’s helping forestry professionals collect better data, more efficiently.
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