Gallatin National Forest Whitebark Pine Projects 2007

1. Gallatin National ForestWhitebark Pine Projects 2007 Fairy Lake Rx Burn Monitoring New World Mine WBP planting and suitability analysis

2. New World Mine Whitebark Pine Planting 200 trees were planted in 2005 for a cost of about 4K (20$/tree); 80% survived. The New World Mining District Response and Restoration Project was created by an executive order. This historic mining District, near Cooke City, included about 65 acres of disturbance over a 40 sq mi area. To date, about 15 million dollars has been spent on restoration work. This area is occupied grizzly bear habitat and whitebark pine is a dominant cover type. Seed collected in 2005 from plus trees in the area; grown in the nursery and 8600 seedlings were planted in July 2007 as 2 year old stock for 21 K (5K from grant) (2.50$/tree); survival was 90% as measured in Sept. 07

3. New World Mine Whitebark Pine Planting Whitebark in this area is fairly healthy with some pockets of beetle-killed trees Rehab sites were all seeded with native grasses, mulched, and covered matting that was staked in place Soils tended to compacted and rocky and planting was difficult; survival was better where grass was more sparse (competition) and aspect was cooler or shade was available or placed.

4. An IDT review was conducted in September to look at plantings from 2005 and 2007 and future opportunities for WBP planting in the area. Few cones were noted and nutcrackers were harvesting those. Sabine Brown will continue to monitor these plantations. Also planted area near Gardiner in timber harvest unit where LPP was removed and mature WBP were left.

5. New World Mine Whitebark Pine Suitability Assessment WHY HERE AND WHY NOW?? Fairly accessible (from mining operations) Whitebark pine is abundant in the area Past and present attacks from mountain pine beetle and white pine blister rust have been and are currently low. However, many of the surrounding lands in the GYA have moderate to high levels of mountain pine beetle and white pine blister rust. In this area, many management options are still available. POTENTIAL METHODS TO MAINTAIN AND RESTORE WHITEBARK PINE IN THIS AREA: PLANT – Possible 150 acres; TARGET GOOD SOILS ON RECLAIMED AREAS (ESTABLISH NEW POPULATIONS) THIN – Possible on about 300 acres whereWBP EXISTS WITH OTHER SPECIES (REDUCE MORTALITY FROM MPB AND ENHANCE NATURAL REGEN) CLEARCUT AND PLANT – POCKETS WITH MPB (ESTABLISH NEW POPULATIONS) VERBANONE – PROTECT EXISTING “PLUS TREES” FOR FUTURE CONE COLLECTIONS .

6. New World Mine Whitebark Suitability Assessment The challenge will be finding enough cones on “plus trees” to provide seed for future plantings. A seed orchard concept, once rust resistant stock are available, will help provide sustainable seed for WBP planting

7. Fairy Lake Rx Burn Monitoring 160 acre Rx burn unit implemented in fall 2004 • Stated objectives: • Mimic light to moderate ground fire • To minimize the mortality of mature whitebark pine (<5%) • To create cache habitat • To reduce competition between from subalpine fir, spruce, and Douglas fir

8. Fairy Lake Rx Burn Monitoring • Burn Characteristics • Patchy; consumed areas that had been previously slashed • Some stand replacement crown fire • Stand Characteristics • 8000-8500 feet elevation • 30-55 % slope • 160-210 aspect (south) • Fuel model 10 • Blister Rust present pre-burn; no evidence of MPB

10. 10 treatment and 5 control plots • Stand Exams on 1/300 acre plot; Veg composition on 1/100 acre plots • BAF 10 to tally trees in the plot • Ground cover on 100 points • MPB and Blister Rust assessed on 100 trees in treatment and control areas • Both PIAL and PIFL were present on the site and were combined for the purpose of analysis Methods

11. Averages for • # (BAF 10) trees in the plot • % of total trees represented by 5-needle pines • % of 5-needle pine trees that were dead Results

12. Results

13. Averages for • % bare ground in plot • % of 100 trees that had MPB activity • % of 100 tres that had Blister Rust • % of Blister rust trees that were dead Results

14. Results

15. Control Treatment

16. Discussion • No significant differences between treatment and control. Fire was the primary mortality agent in treatment plots and Blister Rust in control plots. More small trees left in control. • Fire did not seem to create cache habitat – grasses and forbs came back quickly. Also, not enough cones being produced to entice nutcrackers. We observed woodpeckers in the stand, not nutcrackers; maybe too soon to tell, but not likely to see WBP or Limber regeneration • Ribes was present on all control plots but only one treatment plot; however blister rust levels are severe in both the control and the treatment area • Overall levels of MPB are moderate. Slightly higher MPB occurrence in treatment may be related to fire weakened trees attracting beetles

17. Effects of fire (and possible secondary effects of fire on mtn pine beetles) were outweighed by the effects of blister rust • Burn did not meet objectives • 5-needle pines will likely be replaced by Abla in this stand • Stand could be planted with rust-resistant seedlings Conclusions