Cherry Ridge Community Forest Block

Fir bark beetle surveys continue on Cherry Ridge with 2023 showing very little beetle “green attack”. There is hope that the cold (-30’ C) of 2022-2023 winter may have caused some larvae die-off and less infected trees will be found in 2024.

The clean up of “dead red” trees (fir bark beetle kill from previous years) continues with some smaller, centrally located blocks to be harvested in spring 2024. Additionally, a block of heavy blowdown will be harvest spring 2024. Located on the southern edge of Cherry Ridge closer to residential areas, this harvest will aid in reducing potential wild fire risk.

The Habitat Enhancement project will commence in fall 2024. The intention of the project is to rehabilitate areas to provide improved mule deer habitat. Please see the Wildlife Enhancement Fund page for more details about this project.

Harvesting with the intention of improving forest health, rather than harvesting for profit has guided operations in the Cherryville Community Forests. Within the years of 2014-2018 the community forests had major Fir Bark Beetle outbreaks. CRMC engaged contractors to remove dead standing, and green attack (larva infested) trees. Removing infected trees is a step towards protected remaining Fir trees from future beetle attacks.

In 2021, a large amount of blown down trees were harvested on Cherry Ridge. If left, these trees would have provided excellent habitat for Fir Bark Beetle, slowed the growth of planted trees and added to fuel load associated with wildfire risk.

In 2022, CRMC is monitoring Fir Bark Beetle presence, and surveying with the intent of harvesting infected trees in the near future.

2023 logging has been delayed until spring 2024. Small central blocks will be harvested, removing pockets of red dead standing and blowdown trees. Fenceline Forest Service Road will be in use for logging activities.

Tree planting is planting is planned for spring and fall 2024, and spring 2025. Hot, dry conditions have negatively impacted previous seedling survival rates. Many areas are being replanted to increase tree density.

A fall tree planting event was decided on by CRMC Directors in winter 2023. With the varying climactic conditions we currently experience, this experimental plant is much anticipated. Stay tuned for the results!

For areas that require site-prep, planting will be completed spring 2025.

Below lists the recent history of tree planting on Cherry Ridge. Trees seedlings are a mix of Fir, Spruce, Larch and Pine.

-In 2018, 32,4000 trees were planted on 23.7 hectares

-In 2019, approx. 20,765 trees were planted on 17.1 hectares

-In 2021, 30,042 trees were planted on 24.7 hectares

In 2103, Fenceline FSR was improved by grading, rebuilding sections and by the installations of ditches and culverts. In addition, a bypass through private land was created.

In 2019, the road way connecting Fenceline FSR to Old North Fork, passing through private land, was decommissioned and naturalized.

2024 brings plans to decommisson some of the extensive trails and historic logging road on Cherry Ridge. A main access road will remain, connecting to Fenceline FS Road. Decommissioned roads will be naturalized and replanted, improving animal habitat and reducing predatory highways.