Storm damage

[northern]

Hello,
My forest (mostly evergreen - black spruce,tamarak, etc) has extensive storm damage.  Over the past couple of years, I have been cleaning it up, and burning the larger stuff.  What is the best way to go about dealing with the small stuff, or even the limbs for that matter.  Is spreading them on the ground acceptable?  I would like to assist the new growth as best I can.

[Onthesauk]

Might want to update your profile, give us an idea where you're located.  Makes a difference on stuff like this.

Here in the NW, all the smaller stuff, and even larger stuff like alder, can go on the ground, breaks down in a year or two.  Have heard on state owned jobs it's required that not going to the mill goes on the ground to control runoff.

[WDH]

Spreading the small stuff on the ground to decompose helps the wildlife.

[Ron Scott]

Ditto! The small stuff "fines" will also help in soil nutrient replacement. Brush piles can also be made of the larger debris to also benefit wildlife.

[ncsuclell]

Burn it all.   8)  I've dealt exclusively with SE forest types but I think if you let it build up too much you could have a pretty big control issue if you do have a fire.  PLEASE BE VE RY CAREFUL AND HIRE A PROFESSIONAL WITH LOTS OF EXPERIECE BURNING IN YOUR AREA.  That's my legal answer.