Objectives:

The project was established in 1957 to examine the growth response of a mid-seral ICHmw2 stand subjected to various types of partial cutting. In 1990 the study was expanded to include regeneration and pathology as well as growth-and-yield response.

Experimental Design:

Treatments

• Improvement Cut: Thinning of clumps, release of high value stems, removal of low-value trees where this could be done without damage to residuals or prejudice to full stocking.
• Diameter Limit Cut: Removal of trees above a certain diameter class such that basal area removed approximately equaled the basal area removed in the improvement cut.
• Salvage Cut: Removal of all hardwood species. Removal of all larch and white pine, leaving approximately five larch and five white pine per hectare for a seed source when the final cut is made.
• Control: No cutting.

Layout:

• Five replicates of four treatments were established, for a total of 20 plots.
• Each plot is square and 0.101 ha (0.25 ac) in area.
• All trees in each plot are permanently tagged.
• In 1990, a permanent grid was established in each plot, and plots were stem mapped.

History:

• Fall 1957 - baseline assessment
• Fall 1962 - 5 year remeasurement
• Fall 1967 - 10 year remeasurement
• Fall 1972 - 15 year remeasurement
• Fall 1977 - 20 year remeasurement
• Spring 1983 - 25 year remeasurement
• Summer 1989 - one plot destroyed by logging.
• Fall 1990 - 33-year G&Y remeasurement. Regeneration and pathology assessed.
• Fall 1997 - 40 year remeasurement and insect and disease assessment.
• 1999 classified biogeoclimatically.

Status: Active

Reports and Publications:

Stewart, M. 1956. Cost study of partial cutting treatments in interior wet belt of British Columbia. B.C.F.S. Res. Note 32.

Thompson, C. 1977. Partial cutting in a mixed wet-belt type. B.C.F.S. Res. Note 78.

Schulting, J. and M. Schulting, 1998. Root disease assessment of EP 370b, 40 years post-treatment. B.C. Min For. Nelson Region. Draft Report.

Johnstone, W.D., 2002. Growth and development following partial cutting of a complex stand in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock zone of British Columbia: 40-year results. Res. Br., B.C. Min For., Victoria, B.C. Res. Rep. 22. 

Comments:

EP 370b is the oldest research grade growth-and-yield study on partial cutting, in the southern interior. Unlike the study at Aleza Lake, it is has a replicated experimental design and pre-treatment stand assessments were conducted.