Post on 02-Jan-2016
description
WHAT IS A FOREST?WHAT IS A FOREST?Simply a tract of woodland with dense growth of Simply a tract of woodland with dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract of landtrees and underbrush covering a large tract of land
1 ACRE=43, 560 sq. feet1 ACRE=43, 560 sq. feet
1 MILE=5, 280 feet1 MILE=5, 280 feet
Ecosystem-Ecosystem-defined as an interaction system defined as an interaction system composed of living organisms together with their composed of living organisms together with their non-living environment made up of soil, water, non-living environment made up of soil, water, many plants (besides trees & shrubs) and a wide many plants (besides trees & shrubs) and a wide variety of animal life from insects to whitetail deervariety of animal life from insects to whitetail deer
Processes follow daily and annual cyclesProcesses follow daily and annual cycles
Multiple Use:Multiple Use: to be engaged in more than one to be engaged in more than one activity at a given timeactivity at a given time
Recycling:Recycling: nutrients and other materials tend to nutrients and other materials tend to move in circular paths within an move in circular paths within an ecosystemecosystem
COMPETITION IS SEVERE IN THE FORESTCOMPETITION IS SEVERE IN THE FOREST
- includes-births, deaths, respiration, - includes-births, deaths, respiration, transpiration and photosynthesistranspiration and photosynthesis
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONPHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
What about the physical description of a forest?What about the physical description of a forest?
TREE CLASSIFICATIONTREE CLASSIFICATIONForestors use classification to determine managerial Forestors use classification to determine managerial
plans for each stand:plans for each stand:METHODS:METHODS:
* HEIGHT* HEIGHT* DBH-4 ½ feet above ground* DBH-4 ½ feet above ground
CATEGORIES:CATEGORIES:Seedlings-up to 3 feet highSeedlings-up to 3 feet highSaplings-3’ to 10’ highSaplings-3’ to 10’ highPoletimber-4” to 12” in diameterPoletimber-4” to 12” in diameterSawtimber-12” or more in diameterSawtimber-12” or more in diameter
CROWN POSITION:CROWN POSITION:
Dominant-CoDominant-Intermediate-SuppressedDominant-CoDominant-Intermediate-Suppressed
SHADE TOLERANCE:SHADE TOLERANCE:
Tolerant:Tolerant: can survive on low light can survive on low light
Intolerant:Intolerant: requires bright light requires bright light
Visit the Columbia County Conservation District to Visit the Columbia County Conservation District to locate your property in a soil survey or visit on-locate your property in a soil survey or visit on-line property viewers like a GPS line property viewers like a GPS
United States Geological Survey Map (Topo Map) United States Geological Survey Map (Topo Map) that includes your propertythat includes your property
-Elevation changes-Elevation changes -Drainage Patterns-Drainage Patterns
Sound planning and management depends on Sound planning and management depends on knowing what you ownknowing what you own
BOUNDARY MARKINGS:BOUNDARY MARKINGS:Temporary Markings:Temporary Markings: colored flagging colored flaggingPermanent Markings:Permanent Markings: painting selected trees painting selected treesThese types of markings will highlight your These types of markings will highlight your
propertypropertyWITNESS TREES:WITNESS TREES: normally trees described by normally trees described by
their species, distance and compass direction from their species, distance and compass direction from permanent monumentspermanent monuments
LINE TREES:LINE TREES: trees actually on the line are trees actually on the line are referred as the property of both referred as the property of both ownersowners
SPECIES IDENTIFICATION:SPECIES IDENTIFICATION:
Management of forest for any objective involves Management of forest for any objective involves the management of vegetationthe management of vegetation
AGE COMPOSITION:AGE COMPOSITION:
EVEN-AGEDEVEN-AGED=all trees close to same age=all trees close to same age
*produced by physical or environmental *produced by physical or environmental conditions:conditions:
-FIRE-FIRE -CLEARCUTTINGS-CLEARCUTTINGS
-TORNADOES-TORNADOES -PLANTINGS-PLANTINGS
UNEVEN AGED STANDSUNEVEN AGED STANDS= Contain trees that = Contain trees that range from young seedlings to mature sawtimberrange from young seedlings to mature sawtimber
TREES IN EVEN-AGED STAND OFTEN TREES IN EVEN-AGED STAND OFTEN REPRESENTS SHADE INTOLERANT REPRESENTS SHADE INTOLERANT SPECIESSPECIES
STOCKINGSTOCKING
3 TYPES:3 TYPES:
* Dense=over 70% of crown closure* Dense=over 70% of crown closure
* Thin=40% to 70% crown closure* Thin=40% to 70% crown closure
* Poorly=under 40% crown closure* Poorly=under 40% crown closure
**UNDER-STOCKEDUNDER-STOCKED-does not produce at -does not produce at its its most efficient timber most efficient timber
producing levelsproducing levels
OVER-STOCKEDOVER-STOCKED=stagnation is likely to occur; =stagnation is likely to occur; growth will slow due growth will slow due
to to limited light, water limited light, water and soil and soil nutrientsnutrients
EVERGREENSEVERGREENS-plants that retain their green -plants that retain their green leaves all yearleaves all year
Example-Rhododendron, juniper, pinesExample-Rhododendron, juniper, pines
*Hardwood/deciduous-*Hardwood/deciduous- loses their leaves annually loses their leaves annually
*Softwood/conifer-*Softwood/conifer- cone bearing cone bearing
FOREST COVER TYPESFOREST COVER TYPES
Natural group or association of different species of Natural group or association of different species of trees which commonly occur together over trees which commonly occur together over large areaslarge areas
2 MOST COMMON IN PENNSYLVANIA:2 MOST COMMON IN PENNSYLVANIA:
1.1. OAK-HICKORYOAK-HICKORY
2.2. BEECH-MAPLE-BIRCHBEECH-MAPLE-BIRCH
COMBINATION OF TERMSCOMBINATION OF TERMS
Uneven-aged, well stocked, oak-hickory standUneven-aged, well stocked, oak-hickory stand
RECYCLINGRECYCLINGNutrients and other materials tend to move in Nutrients and other materials tend to move in
circular paths within an ecosystemcircular paths within an ecosystemCOMPETITION IS SEVERE IN THE FORESTCOMPETITION IS SEVERE IN THE FOREST
-INCLUDES BIRTHS, DEATHS, -INCLUDES BIRTHS, DEATHS, RESPIRATION, TRANSPIRATION AND RESPIRATION, TRANSPIRATION AND PHOTOSYNTHESISPHOTOSYNTHESIS
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONPHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONWhat about the physical description of a forest?What about the physical description of a forest?
- To qualify as a forest- To qualify as a forest* Group of trees must have crowns (tops) that are * Group of trees must have crowns (tops) that are
close enough to touch togetherclose enough to touch together
To create rather dense shade in the understoryTo create rather dense shade in the understory
VeneerVeneer-also tends to have seasonal market cycles -also tends to have seasonal market cycles that are the highest during the that are the highest during the
late fall, late fall, winter and early spring winter and early spring monthsmonths
GERARD FORM CLASS=GERARD FORM CLASS=
MERCHANTIBLE HEIGHT:MERCHANTIBLE HEIGHT:
FORMULA:FORMULA:
DIBDIB X 100=% OF MH X 100=% OF MH
DBHDBH
MANAGING YOUR WOODLANDSMANAGING YOUR WOODLANDS
FOR GREATER PROFITSFOR GREATER PROFITSResource evaluation involves assessing the physical Resource evaluation involves assessing the physical
and biological characteristics of your woodland and biological characteristics of your woodland and is an important step in managing your and is an important step in managing your woodland for greater profitwoodland for greater profit
GETTING STARTED:GETTING STARTED:
List your ownership objectives:List your ownership objectives:
*Legal description of your property*Legal description of your property
- Columbia County Courthouse- Columbia County Courthouse
- Know your boundaries of your woodland before - Know your boundaries of your woodland before you begin any management activityyou begin any management activity- Check with NRCS (Natural Resources - Check with NRCS (Natural Resources
Conservation Service)Conservation Service)- aerial photographs of property- aerial photographs of property
In Pennsylvania, 115 commonly occurring trees:In Pennsylvania, 115 commonly occurring trees:- 16 to 20 species have commercial value:- 16 to 20 species have commercial value:
- Oak- Oak - Cherry- Cherry- Maple- Maple - Walnut- Walnut
Identification methods:Identification methods:-leaves-leaves -buds-buds -fruit-fruit -bark-bark --twigstwigs
TREE MEASUREMENTS:TREE MEASUREMENTS:
Diameter=most commonDiameter=most common
nearest even 2” classnearest even 2” class
Tree HeightTree Height= referred to either as total height or = referred to either as total height or merchantable heightmerchantable height
TOTAL HEIGHTTOTAL HEIGHT= Distance from ground level to = Distance from ground level to top of crowntop of crown
Merchantable HeightMerchantable Height= distance from stump height = distance from stump height to the top of the to the top of the
merchantable merchantable material in the material in the treetree
STUMP HEIGHTSTUMP HEIGHT= = 1 foot above the ground1 foot above the groundMERCHANTABLE HEIGHTMERCHANTABLE HEIGHT= Stops where = Stops where
major branches occur or where the diameter major branches occur or where the diameter inside bark (DIB) is less than 8 inchesinside bark (DIB) is less than 8 inches
PULPWOOD STANDARDSPULPWOOD STANDARDS= allows for a = allows for a minimum DIB of 4”minimum DIB of 4”
Natural pruning occurs because the lower shaded Natural pruning occurs because the lower shaded limbs of many trees die from a lack of sun and limbs of many trees die from a lack of sun and too much competitiontoo much competition
Other criteria that has to be met for wooded areas to Other criteria that has to be met for wooded areas to be a forest is that there should be an be a forest is that there should be an accumulation of organic material (OM) covering accumulation of organic material (OM) covering the mineral soil of the forest floorthe mineral soil of the forest floor
FOREST CLASSIFICATIONFOREST CLASSIFICATION
2 Types of Forest:2 Types of Forest:
Pure Stand- Pure Stand- nearly all trees are of the same speciesnearly all trees are of the same species
Mixed Stand- Mixed Stand- composed of 2 or more speciescomposed of 2 or more species
STAND=group of trees growing in a continuous STAND=group of trees growing in a continuous areaarea
Forest fires help to create environmental conditions Forest fires help to create environmental conditions conducive to pure stand development due to the conducive to pure stand development due to the lack of sunlight.lack of sunlight.
Eventually, these limbs break off and fall to the Eventually, these limbs break off and fall to the ground leaving the trunk of the tree relatively ground leaving the trunk of the tree relatively clear.clear.
STAND DENSITYSTAND DENSITY::
Methods for classifying forest:Methods for classifying forest:
DENSITY BY VOLUME:DENSITY BY VOLUME:
Number of cubic feet of wood in Number of cubic feet of wood in merchantable stems (pulpwood merchantable stems (pulpwood
and and sawlogs) being supported per sawlogs) being supported per acre of acre of groundground
BASAL AREA:BASAL AREA:
Number of square feet in a cross section of tree Number of square feet in a cross section of tree trunks at diameter breast heighttrunks at diameter breast height
For Example:For Example:
DBH of 2 feet, will contribute 3.14 sq. ft. to the DBH of 2 feet, will contribute 3.14 sq. ft. to the basal areabasal area
3 VOLUME RULES FOR LOGS:3 VOLUME RULES FOR LOGS:
Scribner-Doyle-InternationalScribner-Doyle-International
Species, size and quality are not the only factors Species, size and quality are not the only factors affecting the price for the buyer and selleraffecting the price for the buyer and seller
Additional factors such as:Additional factors such as:
- Crossing streams and standing water (wetlands)- Crossing streams and standing water (wetlands)
- Road building costs- Road building costs
- Number of trees per acre- Number of trees per acre
- Local and regional demand for material- Local and regional demand for material
BASIC UNIT OF HEIGHT/LENGTH BASIC UNIT OF HEIGHT/LENGTH MEASUREMENT IS A LOG WHICH IS 16 MEASUREMENT IS A LOG WHICH IS 16 FEET IN LENGTHFEET IN LENGTH
The combined information of age and height of The combined information of age and height of trees in a stand is a direct measure of the trees in a stand is a direct measure of the STAND’S VIGORSTAND’S VIGOR
It also is an indirect measure of the quality of the It also is an indirect measure of the quality of the site for growing treessite for growing trees
INCREMENT BORERINCREMENT BORER: is an tool used to : is an tool used to determine tree determine tree
ageage
FOR MANAGEMENT, DEVELOP A MAP FOR MANAGEMENT, DEVELOP A MAP SHOWING MAJOR FEATURES AND SHOWING MAJOR FEATURES AND OUTLINING THE DIFFERENT STANDS OUTLINING THE DIFFERENT STANDS THAT OCCUR ON YOUR WOODLAND THAT OCCUR ON YOUR WOODLAND PROPERTYPROPERTY
The number of species decrease with extremes in The number of species decrease with extremes in environmental conditionsenvironmental conditions
MIXED STANDSMIXED STANDS
Most of Pennsylvania is a mixed standMost of Pennsylvania is a mixed stand
2 Reasons for Mixed Forests:2 Reasons for Mixed Forests:
1.1. 102 native species to PA102 native species to PA
2.2. Most species can survive a broad range of Most species can survive a broad range of environmental conditionsenvironmental conditions
PURE STANDS:PURE STANDS: Mainly due to man’s activities Mainly due to man’s activities
Abandon Fields or Forest FiresAbandon Fields or Forest Fires
Example: White pine and aspenExample: White pine and aspen
3 Factors affecting growth:3 Factors affecting growth:
*Species*Species * Soil Condition* Soil Condition *Light*Light
Formula for area of circle:Formula for area of circle:
Number of stems per acreNumber of stems per acre (difficult to measure)(difficult to measure)
Crown Closure:Crown Closure:
Amount of forest canopy that will be occupied by Amount of forest canopy that will be occupied by tree tops as opposed to the amount of openings tree tops as opposed to the amount of openings permitting light to hit the forest floorpermitting light to hit the forest floor
Unit of Measure: Unit of Measure: For fuel-wood is the standard For fuel-wood is the standard cord which is 8’ long X 4’ cord which is 8’ long X 4’ wide X 4’ highwide X 4’ high
Cord contains 128 cubic feet of volume and Cord contains 128 cubic feet of volume and between 60 and 100 cubic feet of solid woodbetween 60 and 100 cubic feet of solid wood
Fuel-wood value can vary from $2.00 to $20.00 per Fuel-wood value can vary from $2.00 to $20.00 per cord cord on the stumpon the stump
Stumpage=Stumpage= refers to wood standing un-cut in the refers to wood standing un-cut in the woodlandwoodland
Pulpwood=Pulpwood= is material having a minimum DBH of is material having a minimum DBH of 6” and a maximum DBH of 20”6” and a maximum DBH of 20”
SawlogsSawlogs= normally are harvested from trees that = normally are harvested from trees that are 12” DBH and largerare 12” DBH and larger
6 MAJOR SPECIES:6 MAJOR SPECIES:
*WHITE ASH*WHITE ASH *RED MAPLE*RED MAPLE
*RED OAK*RED OAK *SUGAR MAPLE*SUGAR MAPLE
*WHITE OAK*WHITE OAK *BLACK CHERRY*BLACK CHERRY
Quality of sawlogs is greatly influenced by log Quality of sawlogs is greatly influenced by log form, surface and internal defects and to some form, surface and internal defects and to some extend the growing siteextend the growing site
One board foot contains 144 cubic inchesOne board foot contains 144 cubic inches
VENEER=VENEER= tree that has the potential to yield tree that has the potential to yield veneer is seen as the ultimate productveneer is seen as the ultimate product
-A tree generally must have a minimum DBH of -A tree generally must have a minimum DBH of 18” and be free of exterior defects18” and be free of exterior defects
-No overgrown branches-No overgrown branches
-Epicormic branches (boles)-Epicormic branches (boles)
-Mechanical injuries-Mechanical injuries
PRINCIPAL VENEER SPECIES IN PA:PRINCIPAL VENEER SPECIES IN PA:
RED OAKRED OAK
WHITE OAKWHITE OAK
BLACK CHERRYBLACK CHERRY
4 Classes of Roundwood Products:4 Classes of Roundwood Products:
-Fuelwood-Fuelwood -Sawlogs-Sawlogs -Pulpwood-Pulpwood -Veneer-Veneer
These products differ in diameter, quality and valueThese products differ in diameter, quality and value
Fuelwood=is an important product on many Fuelwood=is an important product on many woodlandswoodlands
Species is not a critical fuelwood factor since all Species is not a critical fuelwood factor since all species are considered to have the same amount species are considered to have the same amount of heat per poundof heat per pound
Example: Cubic foot of aspen weighs 28 pounds Example: Cubic foot of aspen weighs 28 pounds while the same volume of oak weighs 44 poundswhile the same volume of oak weighs 44 pounds
DEVELOPING A WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN
Organizing land- use objectives
Plan- describes the natural resources found on land and a program of activities for a specific time period
Landowner- describes and determines what benefits are wanted from the woodlot
Forester- decides what the resources can provide
KEY ELEMENTS IN A PLAN
• Management Objectives• Maps• Inventory Data• Site & Stand Description• Management and Recommendations• Activity Schedule
Ownership Objectives- provides foundation for management plan
Maps- provides a graphic source of information
* U.S. Geological Survey
* Survey Map showing boundaries
* Deed
* Vegetation & Stand Cover Description
* Soil Maps
Inventory Data- describes the woodlot by measuring the resources
* Estimate of the quantity and quality of the resources
Timber Inventory Data- describes the potential of the woodlot
* Stand Tables- is a list of the number of trees per acre according to tree
species and diameter* Stock Tables- provides volume
information as board feet or cubic feet per acre
Site and Stand Description- determines quality of the growing site and is affected by the following items:-Climate -Soils -Topography
Description Information- the following can be found to describe the area:
-Stand age - Structure -Insect/disease damage
Site Index- measures and evaluates the quality of a woodland site
* The higher the number, the better the site, the better the quality of trees*
Determining Site Index: average heights of the dominant and co-dominate trees in a stand compared to their age
-A written record should be kept for income record-Management activities should be conducted every
5 years-Objectives should change according to growth and
activitiesForesters and Consultants- will base their fees on
the size of the acreage involved
PRINCIPLES OF SILVICULTURESilviculture- defined as the theory and practice of
controlling forest establishment, composition and growth
The practice of silviculture is important to today’s landowners who are seeking more benefits than ever before from their woodland
SILVICULTURE FOR
IMPROVEMENT BENEFITS
Involves depending and developing a plan for influencing the forest to grow in a certain way in order to achieve certain goals
Role of Silviculture- is to establish quality trees
Girdling- involves the removal of a ring of bark around the tree to block the flow of nutrients from the crown to the roots-causing the tree to starve and perish
* In young forests, the desirable trees are nurtured by removing the undesirable ones*
* From the silvicultural perspective, cutting trees is the primary method of establishing and tending forest stands to meet a owner’s objectives*
* Silvicultural practices regulate the availability of water, nutrients and sunlight to selected trees*
INTERMEDIATE CUTTINGS
Any cuttings or treatments applied to established immature forests for the purpose of improving them are referred to as Intermediate Cuttings and may be undertaken for any of the following reasons:
1. Remove poor quality trees
2. Remove weed tree species
3. Thin stand and increase growth rate of trees
4. Free an understory of seedlings and saplings
5. Remove insect/disease infested trees
6. Salvage timber damaged by insect, fire or disease
STAND DEVELOPMENT
Stands that originate over a relatively short period of time are referred to as Even-Aged
CROWN POSITION
Growth in height is the most critical factor determining the survival of trees
Trees in a forest stand can be classified according to the position and size of their crowns in relationship to the others in the stand:
DOMINANT
CO-DOMINANT
INTERMEDIATE
SUPPRESSED