Tree thinning opinions sought by foresters

Foresters are seeking comment on a plan to thin young trees in several locations in Nothern Nevada.

Roland Shaw, supervisory forester for the Carson Ranger District, said most of the trees are less than 8 inches in diameter and range in height from 6 feet to 15 feet tall.

The trees were planted 15 to 30 years ago and are too close together.

"Some were planted in pretty tight spacing," he said. "And there has been some fill-in, so they are real crowded and they need some room."

Shaw said some fires have burned all the trees in a plantation.

"If we put some room between the trees, they have a better chance of survival," he said.

The areas planned for thinning include:

-- 185 acres along Mount Rose Highway

-- 20 acres in Little Valley west of Washoe Lake

-- 65 acres west of Turtle Rock Park between Woodfords and Markleeville

-- 30 acres along Pleasant Valley road near Markleeville

-- 50 acres along Wolf Creek Road south of Markleeville

-- 100 acres in Dog Valley northwest of Reno

This is the third year the Forest Service has done thinning.

"We don't get a lot of comment on the small trees," Shaw said. "Usually, it is when we talk about dealing with larger trees that we hear from the public."

Access to the areas will be through existing roads and the public may have a chance to gather firewood from the areas.

Comments are due by March 24 and should be should be sent to the Carson Ranger District, 1536 South Carson Street, Carson City NV 89701, Attn: Carson Plantation Thinning.