Fuel bed changes with aging of slash from Ponderosa pine thinnings

Dead and fallen woody fuels, needle litter and humus depth were sampled in 12 stands in Washington, pre-commercially thinned 0-17 years previously. Fuel properties (loadings, depth) were best described by exponential equations based on basal area removed and slash age. Data collected before and after prescribed burning showed changes in loading and depth equivalent to 2-20 years of natural ageing.