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Hardwood Management Hardwood Management for Timber and Wildlifefor Timber and Wildlife
Daniel RayDaniel Ray
NC Wildlife Resources CommissionNC Wildlife Resources Commission
ResponsibleResponsible Forest ManagementForest Management==
Wildlife ManagementWildlife Management
Poor Forestry Practices Are CommonPoor Forestry Practices Are Common
High graded timberHigh graded timber
LO paid less than timber is worthLO paid less than timber is worth
Logged during wet conditionsLogged during wet conditions
Residual forest damagedResidual forest damaged
Poor close out agreements (e.g., fix roads, unplug Poor close out agreements (e.g., fix roads, unplug ditches, stabilize soil, clean up debris piles)ditches, stabilize soil, clean up debris piles)
Poor adherence to FPGs (e.g., equipment in SMZs, pull Poor adherence to FPGs (e.g., equipment in SMZs, pull debris from streams, divert runoff)debris from streams, divert runoff)
Pollution (e.g., oil, trash)Pollution (e.g., oil, trash)
Opposite extreme = no cutting or forest disturbanceOpposite extreme = no cutting or forest disturbance
Responsible Forestry PracticesResponsible Forestry Practices
Good For:Good For: Forest healthForest health WildlifeWildlife Water qualityWater quality Timber valuesTimber values Recreational goalsRecreational goals AestheticsAesthetics Land valuesLand values SafetySafety
You should always:You should always: Define your forest objectivesDefine your forest objectives Hire a consultantHire a consultant Inventory your forest (i.e., timber, Inventory your forest (i.e., timber,
sensitive areas, fauna & flora)sensitive areas, fauna & flora)
When harvesting:When harvesting: Develop a timber contractDevelop a timber contract Shop around for a loggerShop around for a logger Require a performance bondRequire a performance bond Take photos before harvestTake photos before harvest Monitor logging activitiesMonitor logging activities Inspect job at close outInspect job at close out
Common Hardwood Forest TypesCommon Hardwood Forest Typesin North Carolinain North Carolina
Northern hardwood forestNorthern hardwood forest
Cove hardwood forestCove hardwood forest
Dry upland oakDry upland oak--hickory foresthickory forest
DryDry--mesic oakmesic oak--hickory foresthickory forest
Mesic forestMesic forest
Floodplain forest Floodplain forest
Tidal swamp forest and wetlandsTidal swamp forest and wetlands
Maritime forestMaritime forest
Basic Wildlife NeedsBasic Wildlife Needs
The most basic principle of wildlife management is to provide and maintain The most basic principle of wildlife management is to provide and maintain the appropriate successional stages and cover types in a suitable the appropriate successional stages and cover types in a suitable arrangement for the desired wildlife species.arrangement for the desired wildlife species.
Craig Harper, UT professorCraig Harper, UT professor
FoodFood
WaterWater
CoverCover
SpaceSpace
Habitat Diversity is ImportantHabitat Diversity is Important
Edge Edge –– where 2 or more habitats meetwhere 2 or more habitats meet
Ecotone Ecotone –– transitional zone between 2 cover typestransitional zone between 2 cover types
Juxtaposition Juxtaposition –– proximity and position of cover typesproximity and position of cover types
Interspersion Interspersion –– frequency of different cover typesfrequency of different cover types
An increase in “edge” usually results in an increase in An increase in “edge” usually results in an increase in available resourcesavailable resources
“Edges” contain more species of flora and fauna than “Edges” contain more species of flora and fauna than adjacent singular habitatsadjacent singular habitats
Many predators take advantage of “edge” habitatsMany predators take advantage of “edge” habitats
Hardwood Forests are full of DiversityHardwood Forests are full of Diversity
Species richSpecies rich
MultiMulti--agedaged
Variability in structureVariability in structure
LayeredLayered
CanopyCanopy
MidMid--storystory
Forest floorForest floor
Respond well to Respond well to disturbancedisturbance
Canopy
Mid-story
Forest Floor
Forest ManagementForest Management
Practices For WildlifePractices For Wildlife
Timber Stand ImprovementsTimber Stand Improvements
Manage for crop trees (timber vs. wildlife)Manage for crop trees (timber vs. wildlife)
Reduce crowding in the canopyReduce crowding in the canopy
Remove damaged, diseased, crooked and forked treesRemove damaged, diseased, crooked and forked trees
Protect and enhance the remaining trees in the standProtect and enhance the remaining trees in the stand
Upland Oak-Hickory Stand
HighHigh--graded Forestsgraded Forests
Forest Openings (Canopy Gaps)Forest Openings (Canopy Gaps)
Field and Utility R/W EdgesField and Utility R/W Edges
PersimmonPersimmon
Red cedarRed cedar
Wild plumWild plum
DogwoodDogwood
HollyHolly
Black cherryBlack cherry
Red budRed bud
BlackberryBlackberry
SassafrasSassafras
SumacSumac
BlueberryBlueberry
GrapeGrape
GreenbrierGreenbrier
DaylightingDaylighting
Roads
Fire lines
Opinions of Fire in ForestsOpinions of Fire in Forests
Many people consider fire Many people consider fire to be badto be bad
Wildfires are bad!!Wildfires are bad!!
Precursors to devastating Precursors to devastating wildfires:wildfires:
Lack of understanding fire’s Lack of understanding fire’s place in the forestplace in the forest
Lack of responsible forest Lack of responsible forest management (fuel buildup)management (fuel buildup)
Lack of Rx fire (public Lack of Rx fire (public opinion, regulations)opinion, regulations)
NOAA
Yellowstone
Fire History in the SouthFire History in the South
Fire was common throughout Fire was common throughout southern forestssouthern forests
Causes:Causes: Lightning strikesLightning strikes
Native AmericansNative Americans
Later, Europeans clearing Later, Europeans clearing land and sparks from trainsland and sparks from trains
Burned for days, weeks, Burned for days, weeks, monthsmonths
Burned hot on dry uplands Burned hot on dry uplands and smoldered through and smoldered through bottomlandsbottomlands
Today’s forest composition is Today’s forest composition is changing due to suppressionchanging due to suppression
Rx Fire is a ToolRx Fire is a Tool
Primarily used in pines and upland Primarily used in pines and upland hardwoodshardwoods
Promotes plant diversityPromotes plant diversity
Improves browse quality and Improves browse quality and abundanceabundance
Restores fire dependent Restores fire dependent ecosystemsecosystems
Maintains natural upland forest Maintains natural upland forest community typescommunity types
Improves oak regenerationImproves oak regeneration
Reduces hazardous fuelsReduces hazardous fuels
Releases nutrients to the soilReleases nutrients to the soil
Improves seed germinationImproves seed germination
Exposes soil for seed contactExposes soil for seed contact
Controls “some” invasive plantsControls “some” invasive plants
FirelinesFirelines
Width = at least 10 feetWidth = at least 10 feet
Height = at least 10 feetHeight = at least 10 feet
Remove or cut stumps to Remove or cut stumps to ground levelground level
Soil stabilization = water Soil stabilization = water diversions and vegetationdiversions and vegetation
Prepare with tractor and Prepare with tractor and diskdisk
Maintain annually to Maintain annually to discourage saplingsdiscourage saplings
Linear food plot or natural Linear food plot or natural vegetationvegetation
Successful Wildlife Burns in HardwoodsSuccessful Wildlife Burns in Hardwoods
Burn only in uplandsBurn only in uplands
Execute in dormant seasonExecute in dormant season
Remove debris from Remove debris from around trees and snags around trees and snags
Plan low intensity flames Plan low intensity flames (12(12--18 inches)18 inches)
Use flanking or backing Use flanking or backing firesfires
Allow islands of unburned Allow islands of unburned habitat in the foresthabitat in the forest
Photo by Patrick Brose, U.S. Forest ServicePhoto by Patrick Brose, U.S. Forest Service
High Risk
Low Risk
Photo by Patrick Brose, U.S. Forest ServicePhoto by Patrick Brose, U.S. Forest Service
Rx Fire Effects on Understory Habitat Rx Fire Effects on Understory Habitat in Pine Forestsin Pine Forests
Streamside Management ZonesStreamside Management Zones
Follow FPGsFollow FPGs
Protect water qualityProtect water quality
Critical wildlife habitatCritical wildlife habitat
Habitat connectivityHabitat connectivity
Vernal Pools and Small WetlandsVernal Pools and Small Wetlands
Upland depressionSmall pool
Floodplain wetland Salamander eggs
Snags and Den TreesSnags and Den Trees
SnagsSnags
Attracts beetles, spiders, ants, Attracts beetles, spiders, ants, bees, moths, etcbees, moths, etc
Buffet for insectivoresBuffet for insectivores
Easy excavation for cavity Easy excavation for cavity nestersnesters
Target 1 snag per acreTarget 1 snag per acre
DensDens
Winter coverWinter cover
Nesting coverNesting cover
Predator coverPredator cover
Protect all from harmProtect all from harm
Wildlife Nest BoxesWildlife Nest Boxes
Bat
Wood Duck Screech owl
Bluebird
Promote Native FloraPromote Native Flora
Rough-leaf Viburnum
Wild Grape Sumac
American Beautyberry
Encourage Mast ProducersEncourage Mast Producers
Wild plum
Acorns
Blackberry
Blueberry
Exotic PlantsExotic Plants
Autumn Olive Princess Tree
Chinaberry Tree-of-heaven
Food PlotsFood Plots
Grow it and they will come…Grow it and they will come…
Plant diversityPlant diversity(species, ages, structure)(species, ages, structure)
Seed, browse, and Seed, browse, and bugging opportunities.bugging opportunities.
Fawning, nesting and Fawning, nesting and brooding cover.brooding cover.
Escape cover.Escape cover.
Helpful WebsitesHelpful Websites
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ((www.ncwildlife.orgwww.ncwildlife.org))
NC Division of Forest Resources NC Division of Forest Resources ((www.dfr.state.nc.us/Managing_your_forest/managing www.dfr.state.nc.us/Managing_your_forest/managing _your_forest.htm_your_forest.htm))
NC Cooperative Extension Service NC Cooperative Extension Service ((www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/wild/wildlife/habitat/indexwww.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/wild/wildlife/habitat/index))
Partners In Flight (Partners In Flight (www.faculty.ncwc.edu/mbrooks/pifwww.faculty.ncwc.edu/mbrooks/pif))
Going Native: Urban Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Going Native: Urban Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants (Plants (www.ncsu.edu/goingnative/www.ncsu.edu/goingnative/))
University of TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee((www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/wildlife/default.aspwww.utextension.utk.edu/publications/wildlife/default.asp))
Enjoy the Fruits of your Labor!Enjoy the Fruits of your Labor!