Hügelkultur as a debris management technique in forest fuel reduction treatments. A comparative productivity evaluation of a fuel reduction treatment incorporating hugels
Disposal of woody debris and vegetative matter from forest fuel reduction treatments is a challenge and alternatives to conventional methods of pile burning and chipping are being considered. The construction of hugels is proposed as a debris management technique that would configure debris on site in a less flammable state. While flammability of piled debris (hugels) is a key consideration in the viability of this debris disposal method, the cost of the operation must also be considered.
This research design presents the development of test methods and data collection methods that can be applied in evaluating the productivity of a fuel reduction treatment that incorporates construction of hugels as a debris management tool. Comparative productivity trials will evaluate these productivity results in relation to fuel treatments that apply conventional debris disposal methods.