What kind of work should be done?

• 0-5’ around structures cleared of any woody vegetation.
• 5-10’ : Remove highly flammable woody vegetation, thin dense woody vegetation
• 0-30’ ideally have no tree branches or crowns closer than 10’ from any structure.

• Thin trees to a spacing of 10’ between drip-lines. (Clumps of trees may be more closely spaced as long as the clumps are isolated and contain ≤ 6 trees per clump.)

• Prune or limb tree branches to a minimum of 10’ or 1/3 of the total tree height, which-ever is less following proper pruning techniques. For trees < 15’ tall, no pruning is acceptable (best isolated from potential ladder fuel.)

• 30-100’ from structures thin trees to a spacing of 5-10’ between drip-lines. (Clumps of trees may be more closely spaced as long as the clumps are isolated and contain ≤ 6 trees per clump.)

• Remove all competing brush within drip-lines of conifers and brush that may contribute to tree torching or crown fire.
  

• Clear woody vegetation from under & around large stationary propane tanks. (Tanks should ideally be located at least 30’ from structures.)

• Access roads/driveways: Remove brush, limbs and thin trees along access roads for safe ingress and egress.

• Rake pine needles and leaves within 30’ of structures, off decks and roofs. Please do not put the needles and leaves in the pile to be chipped, the chipper will plug with that debris.
  

What is needed from the landowner:

• When stacking the debris, please place all the stems of trees and brush pointing in the same direction with the cut ends toward the road. This makes the pile easier to pull apart to feed the chipper.
• Individual cut pieces must not be longer than 8 feet in length and/or thicker than 8” in diameter. (diameter = circumference/3.14)
• Do not stack higher than 4’ per stack. 

Community Chipping Day - Aug 18-19

Example of a pile that is not chipper friendly

Here’s how it works:

1. The community schedules chipping crew time.

   ​                     Our time is August 18-19

2. The community/landowner does the cutting on their property and places it adjacent to the main roads and/or driveway, but not blocking any traffic (follow the instructions and suggestions provided).
3. The chipper crew will come out to the site and chip debris that will be blown back onto forest floor. 

Example of a good stack.