Heterobasidion Root Disease Interactive Guide
Result
HRD is not present in the stand AND the stand IS within 25 miles of a confirmed HRD stand.
Learn more in Chapter 3 of the HRD guidelines.
Recommendation
If harvesting occurs from April 1–November 30, preventive stump treatment on pine and spruce is recommended if more than 50% of the stand is pine and/or spruce. The minimum tree size for treatment is merchantable size. No treatment is required from December 1–March 31. Harvesting without preventive stump treatment can be considered April 1–November 30 under certain conditions listed as Exceptions or Modifications (see below).
Exceptions/Modifications
Chapter 3, Modification 2 may be utilized and you may choose not to apply the preventative stump treatment, but there are some things to carefully consider and you should discuss this with a forester or DNR forest health specialist. Although the risk of introduction is high and DNR recommends the use of preventative stump treatment, Chapter 3, Modification 2 states that for NON-DNR LANDS ONLY, as you move further away from a known infestation, the risk is reduced and based on your tolerance for risk you may decide preventive treatment is not necessary.
Modifications are considered to be stand-specific, and consultation with a forester and/or forest health staff in your area is recommended to assess applicability.
Justification for Modifications should be documented and included in the normal approval process for harvesting. For public lands, justification for using a Modification must be included in Form 2460-001 (Timber Sale Notice and Cutting Report). For Managed Forest Law and Forest Crop Law lands, it should be included in Form 2450-032 (Cutting Notice and Report of Wood Product). If the Exception/Modification requires a change in these forms, justifications should be added accordingly.
Things to consider
If you choose to harvest during April 1 – November 30 without stump treatment, consider the potential impact to the stand and subsequently to adjacent stands if HRD were to develop in the stand. It is important to note that there are no treatments to eradicate the pathogen after it infests a stand.
Note: Risk tolerance for DNR lands was decided at the Division of Forestry leadership level as a policy decision.
Background information
Long-distance spread of H. irregulare and buffer radius (Chapter 5.1)