Mastication
Mastication is the operation of reducing forest vegetation in the stand by grinding, shredding or chopping material. This treatment can lower fuel bed depth, raise crown base height, increase fuel-ground contact to promote decomposition, and generate more fine materials. Increasingly mastication is used in lieu of prescribed fire—either due to risk of escape, smoke concerns, or other management constraints. Our Unit has examined many aspects of this unique treatment including productivity, costs, impacts, and fuel outcomes. Some of the work was funded through the Joint Fire Science Program. Principal findings have been incorporated into regional fuel management training and decision tools.
Mechanical Fuel Treatment Training Presentations
- Mechanical tools for fuel reduction treatments (14.3 MB pdf)
- Mechanical reduction equipment case studies (9.5 MB pdf)
- Impacts of mechanical fuel reduction (3.2 MB pdf)
Selected Publications
Brockway, D.; Outcalt, K.; Estes, B.; Rummer, R. 2004. Restoring longleaf pine forest ecosystems: plant community response to mechanical midstory reduction and prescribed fire on sandhills at Ft. Benning, GA. At: Coastal Plain Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration.
Outcalt, K.W., and D.G. Brockway. 2004. Restoration of pine communities on the Kisatchie National Forest with mechanical chipping and fire. At: 2004 Meeting of the Coastal Plain Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration: p.16.
Rummer, B. 2004. Technology for treating fuels and small-diameter material. In: One Forest Under Two Flags. Proceedings of the Joint 2004 Annual Meeting and Convention. Society of American Foresters [CD-ROM]
Rummer, B. 2003. Fact Sheet #2. Mastication treatments and costs. Fuels planning science synthesis and integration. http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/tech_transfer/synthesis/economic_utilization_team/fact_sheet.htm [Date accessed: June 16, 2005]
Mitchell, D.; Rummer, B. 1999. Midstory reduction treatments with a Shinn SC-1. Tech Release 99-R-29. Rockville, MD: American Pulpwood Association. 2 p.
Mitchell, D.; Rummer, B. 2001. Midstory reduction treatments with a Woodgator T-5. Tech Release 01-R-15. Rockville, MD: Forest Resources Association. 2 p.
Mitchell, D.; Thompson, J. 2005. Fuel reduction treatments with a Gyrotrac GT-25. Tech Release 05-R-16. Rockville, MD: Forest Resources Association. 2 p.
References
Windell, K; Bradshaw, S. 2000. Understory Biomass Reduction Methods and Equipment Catalog. Tech Rep 0051-2826-MTDC. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula Technology Development Center. 156 p.
My FTP is a spreadsheet-based cost estimator to aid fuel treatment planning. It was developed by the Pacific Northwest Research Station. One component of the program is a mastication cost estimator based on the production studies described above. Documentation and the program can be downloaded from:
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/publications/firetools.shtml
