The U.S. Forest Service plans to log 9,798 acres in 256 stands using five main treatment methods, represented by colored areas on the map.
![](https://jmlogging.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Full-Plan.jpg)
To better understand these treatments, here are some terms used:
BA – basal area per acre; the cross-sectional area of all trees at 4.5 feet above the ground, summed and divided by the number of acres (more info)
DBH – diameter of a tree at breast height, 4.5 feet above the ground
leave trees – trees left standing after logging. Desired leave tree species in priority order: 1) white oak or chestnut oak, 2) hickory, 3) yellow poplar (for commercial thinning), and 4) other hardwoods, except red maple. Leave trees selected for retention are long-lived species that are dominant and vigorous with healthy crowns and a minimum 14-inch DBH. Where no such tree is present, or no desired leave tree species are available, select the healthiest tree of the most desired species with the largest DBH.
IRT – immediate roost tree, as defined in the Forest Plan (page A-16). All live IRTs count towards the minimum BA requirement. Some overlap may occur between IRTs and desired leave trees (e.g. shagbark hickory).
SESZ – scoured ephemeral stream zone; the area within 25 feet on either side of a definable channel of water flow in which surface waterways converge with enough energy to remove soil, organic matter, and leaf litter annually
snags – dead trees
Following are the five main treatment and harvest methods planned for Jellico Mountain:
Clearcut
936 ACRES IN 28 STANDS (YELLOW)
Summary: Cut all trees and regenerate the stand
Reserves: IRTs, snags, and minimum BA15 in SESZ
Result: Even-aged stand with scattered IRTs and snags (when present) and trees along streams
Two Aged Shelterwood
1,427 ACRES IN 33 STANDS (PINK)
Summary: Also called “clear cut with reserves” where 10 to 20 trees are left standing per acre. This is done to achieve two age classes in the forest.
Reserves: Approximately 10 to 20 trees are left standing per acre. This can include IRTs, minimum BA15 in SESZ, and BA10-20 of dominant or codominant trees
Result: Even-aged stand with shelterwood trees designed to provide structure and mast for wildlife
Deferment Harvest
2,462 ACRES IN 46 STANDS (ORANGE)
Summary: Also called “clear cut with reserves” where 20 to 40 trees are left standing per acre. This is a two-stage harvest cutting most trees while leaving dominant and codominant trees. 10-15 years after the initial harvest, remove all originally reserved trees except IRTs
Reserves: IRTs, minimum BA15 in SESZ, and BA20-40 of dominant or codominant trees
Result: 10 to 15-year-old, even-aged stand
Midstory Removal
524 ACRES IN 15 STANDS (GREEN)
Summary: Cut or treat with herbicide the trees in the midstory that are preventing sunlight from reaching desired regeneration on the forest floor
Reserves: all other trees
Result: increased growth of desired regeneration
Commercial Thinning
4,449 ACRES IN 134 STANDS (GREY)
Summary: Cut suppressed, intermediate, and a few co-dominant trees
Reserves: BA50-70 of dominant and co-dominant, vigorous, and healthy trees
Result: Two-aged stand with overstory trees and a regenerating understory