Forest Management Lines

Definition

A line cut and clearly marked around the perimeter of a property. Such a line is not intended to be or to replace a legal survey. Rather its purpose is to mark the limits for forest management activities between adjacent properties.

Purpose and Importance

• Clearly delineate property boundaries for forest management purposes
• Prevent unintentional trespass during harvesting operations
• Facilitate communication and cooperation between neighboring landowners
• Provide visible reference points for planning and implementing treatments
• Help ensure compliance with management plans and regulations

Important: Forest management lines are NOT legal surveys and do not replace the need for a professional land survey when legal boundary determination is required.

Guidelines and Assessment Procedures

Determining Need

Determine if lines are needed during the plan preparation.

Agreement Requirements

All owners sharing a given forest management line should sign a Forest Management Line Agreement acceptable to the Department.

Clearing Specifications

All wooded lines must be cleared to a minimum width of one meter.

Blazing Standards

• Tree selection: All blazed trees must have a minimum height of two meters and a minimum diameter of 10 cm
• Blaze pattern: The blaze must occur on both sides of the line at intervals of 15 m, or such that blazes are visible one to the next
• Protected trees: Legacy trees are not to be blazed
• Blaze location on trees: On trees beside the line, blaze the side of the tree facing the line and each of the sides at right angles to this side
• Paint color: All blazes must be painted with red or orange tree paint

Offset Lines

Where an offset line is specified in the plan, the line will not be more than 3 m from the actual line and trees on the line will be marked on both sides in the direction of the line.

Alternative Markers

Where no suitable tree exists, the line shall be marked by a metal stake or pipe having a minimum diameter of 15 mm with a minimum of 100 cm protruding above ground and topped by flagging or painted at intervals of 15 m or less.

Suitable tree defined: A tree that is living, healthy and greater than 10 cm in diameter. In no case can it be a woody shrub such as an alder.

Buffer for Future Harvests

A 5 m vegetation corridor must be left between the forest management line and any subsequent block, patch or strip harvest treatments.

Purpose of 5 m Buffer:

This buffer protects the boundary markers from damage during harvest operations and provides a clear visual reference that prevents accidental trespass. It also creates a small corridor of undisturbed forest along property lines.

Blazing Technique

1. Remove bark and cambium layer: Use sharp axe or hatchet to create smooth, clean blaze
2. Blaze size: Approximately 10-15 cm in diameter, large enough to be visible but not so large as to harm tree
3. Apply paint immediately: Paint blazes with weatherproof red or orange tree marking paint
4. Check visibility: Stand at one blaze and confirm next blaze is visible
5. Refresh as needed: Re-paint blazes every few years to maintain visibility

Maintenance

• Periodically check blazes and re-paint as needed (typically every 3-5 years)
• Clear vegetation that obscures visibility between blazes
• Replace damaged or fallen marker trees/stakes
• Communicate with adjacent landowners about line maintenance