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3 FOREST7g1 INSECT DISEASE

MANAGEMENTUSDA • FOREST SERVICE • NORTHERN REGION

State & Private Forestry • Missoula, MT 59801

5200Report No. 78-13 May 1978

EVALUATION OF PROPOSED DWARF MISTLETOE MANAGEMENTPROJECTS ON THE WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS

RANGER DISTRICT, LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST

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vieSUMMARY

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Residual lodgepole pine in older clearcuts are dwarf mistletoe-infected and pose a threat to regeneration present. Removal ofthese residuals coupled with planned or completed precommercialthinnings will effectively reduce dwarf mistletoe to an insig-nificant level and increase future volume yields. The benefit/cost ratio based on timber values alone is negative, but otherbenefits outweigh the economic ones.

INTRODUCTION

The White Sulphur Springs Ranger District has proposed the removalof dwarf mistletoe-infected lodgepole pine overstory from 4,680acres to protect regeneration from infection by dwarf mistletoe.I evaluated these areas using aerial photos, my past experiencein the area, and discussions with District personnel on April 3,1978. Snow conditions precluded a visit to the stands.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Causal agent.--Lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobiumamericanum Nutt. ex Engelm.

Host.--Lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Dougl.

Type of damage.--Reduction of tree vigor, height and diametergrowth, and some mortality.

Oscar J. DoolingPlant Pathologist

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DESCRIPTION OF AREAS AND PROPOSED TREATMENT

General location of the proposed areas is shown in figure 1. Location ofspecific compartments is shown in figure 2.

Proposed treatment is to remove residual dwarf mistletoe-infected lodgepolepine overstory trees from cut-over stands with advanced reproduction. Averagenumber of overstory trees is 10/acre. Specific areas to be covered by theproject are:

Compartment Acres

#2 Deadman 1,160

#3 Nugget 840

#4 Jumping Creek 1,450

#8 Miller 300

#9 Daniels 930

Total , 4,680

FIDM targets for the project are shown in figure 3.

DISCUSSION

Dwarf mistletoe is responsible for the most serious disease losses in thelodgepole pine forests of central Montana. Growth losses of 50 percent ormore are common. Dwarf mistletoe not only causes growth loss and directmortality, but also predisposes trees and entire stands to attack by otherdisease organisms and insects.

Removal of infected overstory trees removes the dwarf mistletoe seed source,and the young stand remains essentially free of infection throughout therotation.

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BENEFIT/COST ANALYSIS

Based on previous yield simulation computer runs for comparable areas, oneprecommeroial and one commercial thinning should produce these volumes:

Cuttingage

Volumerecovery

(MBF)Value

per MBF !Y

Totalrecoveryvalue ($)

20 - - -

70 2.0 40 80

100 16.0 40 640

Totals 18.0 720

a/ Current net stumpage value on the Lewis & Clark National Forest.

By applying a 10 percent discount rate to these values, the present networth (pnw) of dwarf mistletoe control is:

Time(n)

Dollarvalue

Discount,factor A/

pnw($)

50 80 0.0085 .68

80 640 0.0005 .32

Totals 720 1.00

a/ Present value of $1.00 for n years @ 10%.

Cost of treatment will be $2.11 per acre. By dividing the pnw of thebenefits by the treatment cost, the benefit/cost ratio is 0.47/1 (negativeratio).

These calculations assume that the value of stumpage will remain at presentlevels for 50 and 80 years. This is probably false; stumpage prices willcontinue to rise, the benefits will be greater, and the benefit/cost ratiomay become positive.

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•There will also be value added to the economy. Each million board feetof timber cut creates 7 person-years of employment paying an average of$10,000 per year. This will generate 0.02 and 0.16 years of employmentin 50 and 80 years respectively, and add $1,800 to the economy.

Another benefit not directly related to present net worth in dollars isthe reduction in dwarf mistletoe infection at each stand entry. By theend of the first rotation, each area should be essentially dwarf mistletoe-free and should remain so for many rotations.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Decision for control.--Dwarf mistletoe management is biologically soundand should be done.

Control method.--Removal of dwarf mistletoe-infected overstory treesfrom cut-over stands with advanced regeneration is the method selectedfor management.

Impact of control on other resources.--Because management of dwarf mistle-

• toe will be by removal of residuals from areas already clearcut, therewill be no additional adverse impact on other resources. EnvironmentalAnalysis Reports for the areas have previously been written and approvedand are on file at the White Sulphur Springs Ranger District office inWhite Sulphur Springs, Montana.

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