Wildlife Habitat & Diversity

Pride of Ownership

Soil Conservation

Scenic Beauty

Watershed Protection

Personal Enjoyment

Forest Products

Education

Multiple BenefitsFrom Forest Management

Wildlife Habitat & Diversity

Pride of Ownership

Soil Conservation

Scenic Beauty

Watershed Protection

Personal Enjoyment

Forest Products

Education

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in itsemployment, programs, services and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. Ifyou have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department ofthe Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

This publication is available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape,etc.) upon request. Call 608-267-7494 for more information.Harvesting timber can be a management decision that is

compatible with many other objectives.

Multiple BenefitsFrom Forest Management

Watershed ProtectionA forest with its trees, plant cover, forest litter, andorganic matter functions like a giant filtering system.Water is collected from rain and snowfall and storedin the ground or slowly percolates into lakes andstreams. Some of the stored water is taken up by theplants and trees to be used or transpired back into theair.

The water-holding capacity of the forest is extremelyimportant as it determines the quality and quantity ofthe waters released to nearby lakes, streams, anddrinking water supplies. A diversity of tree age classesin a watershed results in different melting rates forsnow, thus reducing erosion from spring melts.

Forest management practices that minimize soildisturbances and prevent debris from washing intowater bodies while keeping the forest in a healthygrowing condition are the best means of protecting aforest watershed.

Hands On Activities of the Landowner

SummaryA planned and managed forest can retain itsnatural beauty while producing a sustainablesupply of lumber, fiber, wildlife, recreation,and clean water. Managing one aspect of theresource does not eliminate the possibility ofdeveloping others if each is planned in consid-eration of the others.

A professional forester can help you inventory,analyze, and evaluate the potentials of yourforest. You can then decide what your opportu-nities are and what you want from your forest.The forester can then help prepare a manage-ment plan, which includes those practicesmost feasible in helping you achieve yourobjectives while still protecting and improvingyour forest land. Use the expert knowledge ofthe trained individual. You will find that thesepeople will appreciate the opportunity to sharewith you in exploring the complexities of theforest community and how, through wise use,it can yield the variety of things you mayenvision for it.

You can take the first step in establishing andmeeting your objectives by developing amanagement plan with the help of a profes-sional. Contact a forester in your area. Takingthe initiative is up to you—the landowner.

Healthy forests protect our water resources.Planned management keeps our forests healthy.

Part of the beauty of having a woodland is known only by those who work their own land. There are manyactivities a landowner can carry out to help improve the health and vigor of a forest without needing expensivemachinery or outside help. Some hands-on activities that may be applicable to your lands are:

There are many activities you can carry out toimprove the health and vigor of your forest.

Printed on Recycled Paper

GP2/02

PUB-FR-014 2002

Professional AssistanceForestry guidance is available to Wisconsin landownersthrough a network of public and private sources. LocalDNR foresters serving each county and private Cooperat-ing Foresters are listed in the Directory of Foresters,available from your local DNR Service Center or:

Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesDivision of Forestry101 South Webster St., P.O. Box 7921Madison, WI 53707-7921

(608) 267-7494

Additional information is available from groups such asthe Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, theWisconsin Tree Farm Committee, Wisconsin FamilyForest chapters, and local wood cooperatives and land-owner associations. Contact your local DNR ServiceCenter, University of Wisconsin Extension office, or localLand Conservation Department to learn more. Or checkout our web site and look for “Private Forestry”:

www.dnr.state.wi.us

• Planting trees and shrubs for erosion control, wildlifehabitat, aesthetic improvements, and future timberproduction.

• Controlling invasive species that are present in yourwoodland.

• Cutting firewood for home-use or commercial sale.

• Pruning to increase production of high quality lumber.

• Pruning or shearing to obtain well-shaped Christmastrees.

• Cutting evergreen boughs to make wreaths.

• Tapping sugar maple for maple sap production.

• Monitoring your woodland to assess its overall health.Regular walks through your woodland can tune you into the beginnings of an insect or disease outbreak.

Cover photo by Robert QueenPhoto by Robert Queen

Photo by Robert Queen

Photo by Robert Queen

Phot

o by

Jea

n M

eyer

The Forest

Good management begins withsound planning and the planningbegins with you—the landowner—and your forester.

Forests supply people with products we need tosurvive and others we desire to be more com-fortable. Forests provide us with food, paper,lumber, firewood, recreation, clean water,sporting goods, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty,and much more. Without each of these, our lifestyle would change greatly.

Fortunately, forests are renewable. Tree seed-lings will flourish after each harvest and youngtrees will grow where older trees once stood, aslong as the harvest is properly planned. Thebest way to maintain or conserve the healthand productivity of forests is to manage themfollowing a plan. Along with ensuring forestregeneration, a management plan can protectall of the pieces that make up a forest includingthe trees, soils, water, plants, wildlife, andnatural beauty. Good planning and properlyapplied management techniques are the keys tomeeting these objectives in a forest.

An aesthetically-pleasing forest can become a retreat for people to escape to.

The variety of sizes, species, and patterns created through forestmanagement will change with the seasons and offer a kaleidoscope of colorsand textures throughout the year.

When you become involved in the inventory of your forest,it will help you better understand the dynamics of yourland and how it should be properly managed.

Planning for wildlife may createan abundance of wildlife viewingopportunities.

Developing Your ForestManagement PlanA forest management plan is based on your goals anddesires and includes actions to be taken to achieve theseends. The plan itself is a concrete document that land-owners and foresters can refer to for guidance while aproperty is being managed.

The first step in creating a forest management plan is aninitial inventory of your property. An inventory describesthe soil and timber types, estimates the volume of treesand regeneration present, evaluates wildlife habitat,locates available access, and identifies historic, cultural,and natural resources that need to be protected. Whencompleted it shows what you have and identifies oppor-tunities as well as constraints.

Working with the completed inventory, a forester cananalyze your land and blend their management recom-mendations into a balance between the present condi-tion of the property, what it is capable of producing, andyour objectives for it.

Your objectives will probably include some combina-tion of the following. It is up to you and your foresterto determine the combination that best suits you andyour land.

AestheticsAesthetic considerations can be easily integrated into a manage-ment plan that includes timber harvesting and wildlife consider-ations. Special attention should be paid to the topography of thearea and the trees that will remain standing, as well as areas thatare visible from roadways, lakes, or streams. The remaining treeswill directly affect the viewing corridors and variety within thestand. Specifications can be made with the logger concerningplacement of roads and what amount of tree limbs and tops maybe left behind.

A management plan that calls for the creation of large openingsto favor sun-loving trees and specific wildlife can offer aestheti-cally pleasing viewing corridors over time. The clearing willappear more natural if the borders are curved and the shape isirregular. Leaving healthy, well-formed individual trees orscattered groups of trees within the harvested area can lessen thevisual impact. Large diameter white pine, oak, and maple canbenefit the area aesthetically while providing food and habitatfor wildlife.

Plantations too can benefit visually from advanced planning.Greater scenic variety can be achieved by simply staggering therows or alternating rows of different tree species. Also, laying outthe rows in curved patterns rather than straight lines can create amore natural appearance.

A selective harvest of individual trees can be the easiest way tofavor the characteristics found to be most desirable. Smaller treescan be removed to improve the visibility within the stand andcreate room for the remaining trees to grow. Forests dominatedby one or two species can be thinned to give other species anopportunity to thrive thereby increasing the diversity within thestand. Small openings produced by removing groups of trees willcreate a mosaic of age classes within the forest.

Careful logging practices and good supervision of the harvestoperation will help maintain aesthetics.

All thoughtful timbermanagement practices aredesigned to keep the foresthealthy and vigorous whileensuring that a new crop oftrees will replace the old ones.

Consider a leisurely afternoon spent in yourwoodland. What characteristics of the forestare most important to you? The scenic beautyof the setting? The wildlife it attracts? Therecreation it provides? The timber andfirewood it supplies? Perhaps you feel gratefulfor the protection offered by your forest. Treesact as a windbreak from winter storms andnoise buffers from traffic. They filter ourwater supply and protect our soil fromerosion while improving air quality andproviding habitat for wildlife. A forest is arenewable source of wood that builds ourhomes and pulp that makes our paper. It isall of these at once and still retains its beautywhen managed properly.

WildlifeTaking the time to manage for wildlife can be an incred-ibly rewarding activity. This consideration in yourmanagement plan can be very simple or quite complexdepending on which animals you would like to have onyour land and the condition of your forest. Either way,you can enjoy the opportunity to flush grouse or hearwoodpeckers pounding on snags as you walk throughyour forest.

In order to attract an abundance of wildlife, a forest musthave a diverse and plentiful supply of food and cover.For many wildlifespecies, optimum foodand cover can befound in forests thatcontain a wide rangeof tree species andsizes along with theirassociated shrubs andground layer plants.Effective managementworks to maintain andenhance diversitywithin a forest.

Wildlife can beattracted to yourforest merely byallowing a number ofdead trees to remainstanding. Snagsprovide den, nest, andfeeding sites whileacting as lookouttowers and foodstorage bins. Downedtrees that remain onthe forest floor pro-vide cover for sala-manders, snakes, andsmall mammals. As the log becomes hollow, they aretransformed into stages for mating rituals as birds likethe ruffed grouse perform drumming routines. Creatingbrush piles provides cover for small mammals likechipmunks, rabbits, and grouse. Additional feeding areascan also be established in open areas by planting clovers,grains, or other wildlife foods.

Many of the shrubs and trees that provide food forwildlife also produce colorful leaves, flowers, and fruits.Management which includes these species reaps bothaesthetic and wildlife benefits.

The Forest TimberThe primary goal of timber management is to maintain asustainable production of high quality timber products,which will result in eco-nomic gain. However, thisdoes not mean that otheruses or objectives mustsuffer. Timber managementoperations can be designedto fulfill all of the goalsidentified in the manage-ment plan includingwildlife management andaesthetics.

A landowner’s fear ofdestroying their forest byharvesting trees is under-standable but generallyunfounded. All active, orrecently active, timber harvesting operations will appearmessy and unattractive to the uninitiated eye, but thisphase passes quickly as the forest responds to themanagement prescription. Well-managed timber harvestsare designed to mimic natural disturbances such aswindthrow and fire and ensure that young trees willgrow to replace those that have been felled. A foresterworks to create a management plan that prescribes aharvest schedule to meet your objectives while maintain-ing or enhancing the health and vigor of your forest.

Some timber improvement practices are especiallycompatible with aesthetic improvement. Pruning pro-duces knot-free timber while increasing visibility withina stand. Thinning weak, diseased, or poorly-formed treesfrom a stand allows the remaining healthy, well-formedtrees to grow faster once they have more light and space.

Photo by Robert Queen

Phot

o by

Rob

ert

Qu

een

Photo by Robert Queen

Phot

o by

Rob

e rt

Qu

e en

Photo by Ed and Helen Moberg

Good management begins withsound planning and the planningbegins with you—the landowner—and your forester.

The Forest

Good management begins withsound planning and the planningbegins with you—the landowner—and your forester.

Forests supply people with products we need tosurvive and others we desire to be more com-fortable. Forests provide us with food, paper,lumber, firewood, recreation, clean water,sporting goods, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty,and much more. Without each of these, our lifestyle would change greatly.

Fortunately, forests are renewable. Tree seed-lings will flourish after each harvest and youngtrees will grow where older trees once stood, aslong as the harvest is properly planned. Thebest way to maintain or conserve the healthand productivity of forests is to manage themfollowing a plan. Along with ensuring forestregeneration, a management plan can protectall of the pieces that make up a forest includingthe trees, soils, water, plants, wildlife, andnatural beauty. Good planning and properlyapplied management techniques are the keys tomeeting these objectives in a forest.

An aesthetically-pleasing forest can become a retreat for people to escape to.

The variety of sizes, species, and patterns created through forestmanagement will change with the seasons and offer a kaleidoscope of colorsand textures throughout the year.

When you become involved in the inventory of your forest,it will help you better understand the dynamics of yourland and how it should be properly managed.

Planning for wildlife may createan abundance of wildlife viewingopportunities.

Developing Your ForestManagement PlanA forest management plan is based on your goals anddesires and includes actions to be taken to achieve theseends. The plan itself is a concrete document that land-owners and foresters can refer to for guidance while aproperty is being managed.

The first step in creating a forest management plan is aninitial inventory of your property. An inventory describesthe soil and timber types, estimates the volume of treesand regeneration present, evaluates wildlife habitat,locates available access, and identifies historic, cultural,and natural resources that need to be protected. Whencompleted it shows what you have and identifies oppor-tunities as well as constraints.

Working with the completed inventory, a forester cananalyze your land and blend their management recom-mendations into a balance between the present condi-tion of the property, what it is capable of producing, andyour objectives for it.

Your objectives will probably include some combina-tion of the following. It is up to you and your foresterto determine the combination that best suits you andyour land.

AestheticsAesthetic considerations can be easily integrated into a manage-ment plan that includes timber harvesting and wildlife consider-ations. Special attention should be paid to the topography of thearea and the trees that will remain standing, as well as areas thatare visible from roadways, lakes, or streams. The remaining treeswill directly affect the viewing corridors and variety within thestand. Specifications can be made with the logger concerningplacement of roads and what amount of tree limbs and tops maybe left behind.

A management plan that calls for the creation of large openingsto favor sun-loving trees and specific wildlife can offer aestheti-cally pleasing viewing corridors over time. The clearing willappear more natural if the borders are curved and the shape isirregular. Leaving healthy, well-formed individual trees orscattered groups of trees within the harvested area can lessen thevisual impact. Large diameter white pine, oak, and maple canbenefit the area aesthetically while providing food and habitatfor wildlife.

Plantations too can benefit visually from advanced planning.Greater scenic variety can be achieved by simply staggering therows or alternating rows of different tree species. Also, laying outthe rows in curved patterns rather than straight lines can create amore natural appearance.

A selective harvest of individual trees can be the easiest way tofavor the characteristics found to be most desirable. Smaller treescan be removed to improve the visibility within the stand andcreate room for the remaining trees to grow. Forests dominatedby one or two species can be thinned to give other species anopportunity to thrive thereby increasing the diversity within thestand. Small openings produced by removing groups of trees willcreate a mosaic of age classes within the forest.

Careful logging practices and good supervision of the harvestoperation will help maintain aesthetics.

All thoughtful timbermanagement practices aredesigned to keep the foresthealthy and vigorous whileensuring that a new crop oftrees will replace the old ones.

Consider a leisurely afternoon spent in yourwoodland. What characteristics of the forestare most important to you? The scenic beautyof the setting? The wildlife it attracts? Therecreation it provides? The timber andfirewood it supplies? Perhaps you feel gratefulfor the protection offered by your forest. Treesact as a windbreak from winter storms andnoise buffers from traffic. They filter ourwater supply and protect our soil fromerosion while improving air quality andproviding habitat for wildlife. A forest is arenewable source of wood that builds ourhomes and pulp that makes our paper. It isall of these at once and still retains its beautywhen managed properly.

WildlifeTaking the time to manage for wildlife can be an incred-ibly rewarding activity. This consideration in yourmanagement plan can be very simple or quite complexdepending on which animals you would like to have onyour land and the condition of your forest. Either way,you can enjoy the opportunity to flush grouse or hearwoodpeckers pounding on snags as you walk throughyour forest.

In order to attract an abundance of wildlife, a forest musthave a diverse and plentiful supply of food and cover.For many wildlifespecies, optimum foodand cover can befound in forests thatcontain a wide rangeof tree species andsizes along with theirassociated shrubs andground layer plants.Effective managementworks to maintain andenhance diversitywithin a forest.

Wildlife can beattracted to yourforest merely byallowing a number ofdead trees to remainstanding. Snagsprovide den, nest, andfeeding sites whileacting as lookouttowers and foodstorage bins. Downedtrees that remain onthe forest floor pro-vide cover for sala-manders, snakes, andsmall mammals. As the log becomes hollow, they aretransformed into stages for mating rituals as birds likethe ruffed grouse perform drumming routines. Creatingbrush piles provides cover for small mammals likechipmunks, rabbits, and grouse. Additional feeding areascan also be established in open areas by planting clovers,grains, or other wildlife foods.

Many of the shrubs and trees that provide food forwildlife also produce colorful leaves, flowers, and fruits.Management which includes these species reaps bothaesthetic and wildlife benefits.

The Forest TimberThe primary goal of timber management is to maintain asustainable production of high quality timber products,which will result in eco-nomic gain. However, thisdoes not mean that otheruses or objectives mustsuffer. Timber managementoperations can be designedto fulfill all of the goalsidentified in the manage-ment plan includingwildlife management andaesthetics.

A landowner’s fear ofdestroying their forest byharvesting trees is under-standable but generallyunfounded. All active, orrecently active, timber harvesting operations will appearmessy and unattractive to the uninitiated eye, but thisphase passes quickly as the forest responds to themanagement prescription. Well-managed timber harvestsare designed to mimic natural disturbances such aswindthrow and fire and ensure that young trees willgrow to replace those that have been felled. A foresterworks to create a management plan that prescribes aharvest schedule to meet your objectives while maintain-ing or enhancing the health and vigor of your forest.

Some timber improvement practices are especiallycompatible with aesthetic improvement. Pruning pro-duces knot-free timber while increasing visibility withina stand. Thinning weak, diseased, or poorly-formed treesfrom a stand allows the remaining healthy, well-formedtrees to grow faster once they have more light and space.

Photo by Robert Queen

Phot

o by

Rob

ert

Qu

een

Photo by Robert Queen

Phot

o by

Rob

e rt

Qu

een

Photo by Ed and Helen Moberg

Good management begins withsound planning and the planningbegins with you—the landowner—and your forester.

The Forest

Good management begins withsound planning and the planningbegins with you—the landowner—and your forester.

Forests supply people with products we need tosurvive and others we desire to be more com-fortable. Forests provide us with food, paper,lumber, firewood, recreation, clean water,sporting goods, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty,and much more. Without each of these, our lifestyle would change greatly.

Fortunately, forests are renewable. Tree seed-lings will flourish after each harvest and youngtrees will grow where older trees once stood, aslong as the harvest is properly planned. Thebest way to maintain or conserve the healthand productivity of forests is to manage themfollowing a plan. Along with ensuring forestregeneration, a management plan can protectall of the pieces that make up a forest includingthe trees, soils, water, plants, wildlife, andnatural beauty. Good planning and properlyapplied management techniques are the keys tomeeting these objectives in a forest.

An aesthetically-pleasing forest can become a retreat for people to escape to.

The variety of sizes, species, and patterns created through forestmanagement will change with the seasons and offer a kaleidoscope of colorsand textures throughout the year.

When you become involved in the inventory of your forest,it will help you better understand the dynamics of yourland and how it should be properly managed.

Planning for wildlife may createan abundance of wildlife viewingopportunities.

Developing Your ForestManagement PlanA forest management plan is based on your goals anddesires and includes actions to be taken to achieve theseends. The plan itself is a concrete document that land-owners and foresters can refer to for guidance while aproperty is being managed.

The first step in creating a forest management plan is aninitial inventory of your property. An inventory describesthe soil and timber types, estimates the volume of treesand regeneration present, evaluates wildlife habitat,locates available access, and identifies historic, cultural,and natural resources that need to be protected. Whencompleted it shows what you have and identifies oppor-tunities as well as constraints.

Working with the completed inventory, a forester cananalyze your land and blend their management recom-mendations into a balance between the present condi-tion of the property, what it is capable of producing, andyour objectives for it.

Your objectives will probably include some combina-tion of the following. It is up to you and your foresterto determine the combination that best suits you andyour land.

AestheticsAesthetic considerations can be easily integrated into a manage-ment plan that includes timber harvesting and wildlife consider-ations. Special attention should be paid to the topography of thearea and the trees that will remain standing, as well as areas thatare visible from roadways, lakes, or streams. The remaining treeswill directly affect the viewing corridors and variety within thestand. Specifications can be made with the logger concerningplacement of roads and what amount of tree limbs and tops maybe left behind.

A management plan that calls for the creation of large openingsto favor sun-loving trees and specific wildlife can offer aestheti-cally pleasing viewing corridors over time. The clearing willappear more natural if the borders are curved and the shape isirregular. Leaving healthy, well-formed individual trees orscattered groups of trees within the harvested area can lessen thevisual impact. Large diameter white pine, oak, and maple canbenefit the area aesthetically while providing food and habitatfor wildlife.

Plantations too can benefit visually from advanced planning.Greater scenic variety can be achieved by simply staggering therows or alternating rows of different tree species. Also, laying outthe rows in curved patterns rather than straight lines can create amore natural appearance.

A selective harvest of individual trees can be the easiest way tofavor the characteristics found to be most desirable. Smaller treescan be removed to improve the visibility within the stand andcreate room for the remaining trees to grow. Forests dominatedby one or two species can be thinned to give other species anopportunity to thrive thereby increasing the diversity within thestand. Small openings produced by removing groups of trees willcreate a mosaic of age classes within the forest.

Careful logging practices and good supervision of the harvestoperation will help maintain aesthetics.

All thoughtful timbermanagement practices aredesigned to keep the foresthealthy and vigorous whileensuring that a new crop oftrees will replace the old ones.

Consider a leisurely afternoon spent in yourwoodland. What characteristics of the forestare most important to you? The scenic beautyof the setting? The wildlife it attracts? Therecreation it provides? The timber andfirewood it supplies? Perhaps you feel gratefulfor the protection offered by your forest. Treesact as a windbreak from winter storms andnoise buffers from traffic. They filter ourwater supply and protect our soil fromerosion while improving air quality andproviding habitat for wildlife. A forest is arenewable source of wood that builds ourhomes and pulp that makes our paper. It isall of these at once and still retains its beautywhen managed properly.

WildlifeTaking the time to manage for wildlife can be an incred-ibly rewarding activity. This consideration in yourmanagement plan can be very simple or quite complexdepending on which animals you would like to have onyour land and the condition of your forest. Either way,you can enjoy the opportunity to flush grouse or hearwoodpeckers pounding on snags as you walk throughyour forest.

In order to attract an abundance of wildlife, a forest musthave a diverse and plentiful supply of food and cover.For many wildlifespecies, optimum foodand cover can befound in forests thatcontain a wide rangeof tree species andsizes along with theirassociated shrubs andground layer plants.Effective managementworks to maintain andenhance diversitywithin a forest.

Wildlife can beattracted to yourforest merely byallowing a number ofdead trees to remainstanding. Snagsprovide den, nest, andfeeding sites whileacting as lookouttowers and foodstorage bins. Downedtrees that remain onthe forest floor pro-vide cover for sala-manders, snakes, andsmall mammals. As the log becomes hollow, they aretransformed into stages for mating rituals as birds likethe ruffed grouse perform drumming routines. Creatingbrush piles provides cover for small mammals likechipmunks, rabbits, and grouse. Additional feeding areascan also be established in open areas by planting clovers,grains, or other wildlife foods.

Many of the shrubs and trees that provide food forwildlife also produce colorful leaves, flowers, and fruits.Management which includes these species reaps bothaesthetic and wildlife benefits.

The Forest TimberThe primary goal of timber management is to maintain asustainable production of high quality timber products,which will result in eco-nomic gain. However, thisdoes not mean that otheruses or objectives mustsuffer. Timber managementoperations can be designedto fulfill all of the goalsidentified in the manage-ment plan includingwildlife management andaesthetics.

A landowner’s fear ofdestroying their forest byharvesting trees is under-standable but generallyunfounded. All active, orrecently active, timber harvesting operations will appearmessy and unattractive to the uninitiated eye, but thisphase passes quickly as the forest responds to themanagement prescription. Well-managed timber harvestsare designed to mimic natural disturbances such aswindthrow and fire and ensure that young trees willgrow to replace those that have been felled. A foresterworks to create a management plan that prescribes aharvest schedule to meet your objectives while maintain-ing or enhancing the health and vigor of your forest.

Some timber improvement practices are especiallycompatible with aesthetic improvement. Pruning pro-duces knot-free timber while increasing visibility withina stand. Thinning weak, diseased, or poorly-formed treesfrom a stand allows the remaining healthy, well-formedtrees to grow faster once they have more light and space.

Photo by Robert Queen

Phot

o by

Rob

ert

Qu

een

Photo by Robert Queen

Phot

o by

Rob

ert

Qu

e en

Photo by Ed and Helen Moberg

Good management begins withsound planning and the planningbegins with you—the landowner—and your forester.

Wildlife Habitat & Diversity

Pride of Ownership

Soil Conservation

Scenic Beauty

Watershed Protection

Personal Enjoyment

Forest Products

Education

Multiple BenefitsFrom Forest Management

Wildlife Habitat & Diversity

Pride of Ownership

Soil Conservation

Scenic Beauty

Watershed Protection

Personal Enjoyment

Forest Products

Education

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in itsemployment, programs, services and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. Ifyou have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department ofthe Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

This publication is available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape,etc.) upon request. Call 608-267-7494 for more information.Harvesting timber can be a management decision that is

compatible with many other objectives.

Multiple BenefitsFrom Forest Management

Watershed ProtectionA forest with its trees, plant cover, forest litter, andorganic matter functions like a giant filtering system.Water is collected from rain and snowfall and storedin the ground or slowly percolates into lakes andstreams. Some of the stored water is taken up by theplants and trees to be used or transpired back into theair.

The water-holding capacity of the forest is extremelyimportant as it determines the quality and quantity ofthe waters released to nearby lakes, streams, anddrinking water supplies. A diversity of tree age classesin a watershed results in different melting rates forsnow, thus reducing erosion from spring melts.

Forest management practices that minimize soildisturbances and prevent debris from washing intowater bodies while keeping the forest in a healthygrowing condition are the best means of protecting aforest watershed.

Hands On Activities of the Landowner

SummaryA planned and managed forest can retain itsnatural beauty while producing a sustainablesupply of lumber, fiber, wildlife, recreation,and clean water. Managing one aspect of theresource does not eliminate the possibility ofdeveloping others if each is planned in consid-eration of the others.

A professional forester can help you inventory,analyze, and evaluate the potentials of yourforest. You can then decide what your opportu-nities are and what you want from your forest.The forester can then help prepare a manage-ment plan, which includes those practicesmost feasible in helping you achieve yourobjectives while still protecting and improvingyour forest land. Use the expert knowledge ofthe trained individual. You will find that thesepeople will appreciate the opportunity to sharewith you in exploring the complexities of theforest community and how, through wise use,it can yield the variety of things you mayenvision for it.

You can take the first step in establishing andmeeting your objectives by developing amanagement plan with the help of a profes-sional. Contact a forester in your area. Takingthe initiative is up to you—the landowner.

Healthy forests protect our water resources.Planned management keeps our forests healthy.

Part of the beauty of having a woodland is known only by those who work their own land. There are manyactivities a landowner can carry out to help improve the health and vigor of a forest without needing expensivemachinery or outside help. Some hands-on activities that may be applicable to your lands are:

There are many activities you can carry out toimprove the health and vigor of your forest.

Printed on Recycled Paper

GP2/02

PUB-FR-014 2002

Professional AssistanceForestry guidance is available to Wisconsin landownersthrough a network of public and private sources. LocalDNR foresters serving each county and private Cooperat-ing Foresters are listed in the Directory of Foresters,available from your local DNR Service Center or:

Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesDivision of Forestry101 South Webster St., P.O. Box 7921Madison, WI 53707-7921

(608) 267-7494

Additional information is available from groups such asthe Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, theWisconsin Tree Farm Committee, Wisconsin FamilyForest chapters, and local wood cooperatives and land-owner associations. Contact your local DNR ServiceCenter, University of Wisconsin Extension office, or localLand Conservation Department to learn more. Or checkout our web site and look for “Private Forestry”:

www.dnr.state.wi.us

• Planting trees and shrubs for erosion control, wildlifehabitat, aesthetic improvements, and future timberproduction.

• Controlling invasive species that are present in yourwoodland.

• Cutting firewood for home-use or commercial sale.

• Pruning to increase production of high quality lumber.

• Pruning or shearing to obtain well-shaped Christmastrees.

• Cutting evergreen boughs to make wreaths.

• Tapping sugar maple for maple sap production.

• Monitoring your woodland to assess its overall health.Regular walks through your woodland can tune you into the beginnings of an insect or disease outbreak.

Cover photo by Robert QueenPhoto by Robert Queen

Photo by Robert Queen

Photo by Robert Queen

Phot

o by

Jea

n M

eyer

Wildlife Habitat & Diversity

Pride of Ownership

Soil Conservation

Scenic Beauty

Watershed Protection

Personal Enjoyment

Forest Products

Education

Multiple BenefitsFrom Forest Management

Wildlife Habitat & Diversity

Pride of Ownership

Soil Conservation

Scenic Beauty

Watershed Protection

Personal Enjoyment

Forest Products

Education

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in itsemployment, programs, services and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. Ifyou have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department ofthe Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

This publication is available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape,etc.) upon request. Call 608-267-7494 for more information.Harvesting timber can be a management decision that is

compatible with many other objectives.

Multiple BenefitsFrom Forest Management

Watershed ProtectionA forest with its trees, plant cover, forest litter, andorganic matter functions like a giant filtering system.Water is collected from rain and snowfall and storedin the ground or slowly percolates into lakes andstreams. Some of the stored water is taken up by theplants and trees to be used or transpired back into theair.

The water-holding capacity of the forest is extremelyimportant as it determines the quality and quantity ofthe waters released to nearby lakes, streams, anddrinking water supplies. A diversity of tree age classesin a watershed results in different melting rates forsnow, thus reducing erosion from spring melts.

Forest management practices that minimize soildisturbances and prevent debris from washing intowater bodies while keeping the forest in a healthygrowing condition are the best means of protecting aforest watershed.

Hands On Activities of the Landowner

SummaryA planned and managed forest can retain itsnatural beauty while producing a sustainablesupply of lumber, fiber, wildlife, recreation,and clean water. Managing one aspect of theresource does not eliminate the possibility ofdeveloping others if each is planned in consid-eration of the others.

A professional forester can help you inventory,analyze, and evaluate the potentials of yourforest. You can then decide what your opportu-nities are and what you want from your forest.The forester can then help prepare a manage-ment plan, which includes those practicesmost feasible in helping you achieve yourobjectives while still protecting and improvingyour forest land. Use the expert knowledge ofthe trained individual. You will find that thesepeople will appreciate the opportunity to sharewith you in exploring the complexities of theforest community and how, through wise use,it can yield the variety of things you mayenvision for it.

You can take the first step in establishing andmeeting your objectives by developing amanagement plan with the help of a profes-sional. Contact a forester in your area. Takingthe initiative is up to you—the landowner.

Healthy forests protect our water resources.Planned management keeps our forests healthy.

Part of the beauty of having a woodland is known only by those who work their own land. There are manyactivities a landowner can carry out to help improve the health and vigor of a forest without needing expensivemachinery or outside help. Some hands-on activities that may be applicable to your lands are:

There are many activities you can carry out toimprove the health and vigor of your forest.

Printed on Recycled Paper

GP2/02

PUB-FR-014 2002

Professional AssistanceForestry guidance is available to Wisconsin landownersthrough a network of public and private sources. LocalDNR foresters serving each county and private Cooperat-ing Foresters are listed in the Directory of Foresters,available from your local DNR Service Center or:

Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesDivision of Forestry101 South Webster St., P.O. Box 7921Madison, WI 53707-7921

(608) 267-7494

Additional information is available from groups such asthe Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, theWisconsin Tree Farm Committee, Wisconsin FamilyForest chapters, and local wood cooperatives and land-owner associations. Contact your local DNR ServiceCenter, University of Wisconsin Extension office, or localLand Conservation Department to learn more. Or checkout our web site and look for “Private Forestry”:

www.dnr.state.wi.us

• Planting trees and shrubs for erosion control, wildlifehabitat, aesthetic improvements, and future timberproduction.

• Controlling invasive species that are present in yourwoodland.

• Cutting firewood for home-use or commercial sale.

• Pruning to increase production of high quality lumber.

• Pruning or shearing to obtain well-shaped Christmastrees.

• Cutting evergreen boughs to make wreaths.

• Tapping sugar maple for maple sap production.

• Monitoring your woodland to assess its overall health.Regular walks through your woodland can tune you into the beginnings of an insect or disease outbreak.

Cover photo by Robert QueenPhoto by Robert Queen

Photo by Robert Queen

Photo by Robert Queen

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