Can timber harvesting actually help wildlife on my property, or does it hurt habitat?

It may seem counterintuitive, but many timber harvesting practices can have significant benefits for certain wildlife species. Harvesting creates early successional habitat that supports birds like the Northern bobwhite, wild turkey, Eastern meadowlark, and woodcock, all of which rely on the forbs, shrubs, and invertebrates that thrive in newly harvested areas. New vegetation also supports pollinators, small mammals, and ground-nesting birds, contributing to overall biodiversity.

How do foresters at AFM balance timber production goals with wildlife habitat objectives?

AFM foresters and Certified Wildlife Biologists work together to make recommendations that address multiple objectives at once. While some degree of compromise may be necessary, timber harvesting and wildlife habitat are frequently complementary rather than competing interests. Professionals consider factors such as how, where, and why a harvest takes place in order to maximize returns for the landowner while supporting wildlife goals.

What harvesting techniques does AFM recommend when wildlife habitat is a priority?

Certain harvesting techniques are more beneficial to wildlife than others. Single-tree or group selection harvesting can maintain an uneven-aged forest structure, enhance the growth of desirable trees, increase mast production from species like oak and beech, and improve winter cover for deer. Foresters can also use clearcuts and patch cuts strategically, since small, patchy harvests create edge effects that support diverse species, and targeted regeneration cuts can replicate natural disturbances like fire or storm damage.

What is basal area, and why does it matter for bobwhite quail habitat?

Basal area is a measure of the cross-sectional area of trees in a forest stand, and it is one of the key factors foresters consider when managing for specific wildlife species. For bobwhite quail habitat in particular, AFM targets a basal area of approximately 30 to 40 square feet. Keeping basal area within this range allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor, encouraging the understory vegetation that bobwhite quail and other species depend on.

What structures should be left behind after a harvest to benefit wildlife?

Retaining key structures during and after a harvest can significantly enhance wildlife habitat. Standing dead trees, known as snags, and den trees benefit woodpeckers, squirrels, cavity-nesting songbirds, and some owls. Leaving downed wood on the ground provides habitat for insects that feed birds, supports nutrient cycling in the soil, and also reduces removal costs for the landowner. Managing forest edges to encourage shrubs, vines, and soft mast like blackberries and raspberries provides additional food and cover for wildlife.

Why is working with a Certified Wildlife Biologist or AFM forester important for my land management goals?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to land management, as decisions depend on forest type, climate, existing conditions, previous management history, and individual landowner goals. A Certified Wildlife Biologist or AFM forester can evaluate all of these factors and determine where to harvest, which method to use, and how to balance tradeoffs between timber production and wildlife habitat. Active, professional management helps ensure that a forest provides economic returns, ecological health, and diverse wildlife habitat over the long term.

AFM NEWS

Balancing Wildlife Habitat and Timber Production

2026/04/15

By Jennifer Hunt (Content Writer) and Shane Fuller (Certified Wildlife Biologist)

It’s common for landowners to have multiple objectives on their property. While some may seem like competing interests, seasoned forestry professionals and land managers can expertly make recommendations for several objectives at once and maximize returns for their clients. Although some degree of compromise may be necessary, two interests or goals that can coexist are timber harvesting and wildlife habitat. While it may seem counterintuitive, many timber harvesting practices implemented on a property can actually have significant benefits for certain wildlife species, and foresters and Certified Wildlife Biologists at AFM can guide you through both.

Timber harvesting can create early successional habitat and support many species that depend on young forests. Birds like the Northern bobwhite, wild turkey, and Eastern meadowlark feast on the forbs and shrubs that grow in newly harvested areas, and woodcocks also feed on the invertebrates that grow in this environment. Although it is dependent on soil and climate, dense vegetation starts to fill in at roughly three years, and sapling growth takes place around three to five years, which tends to include many species that wildlife prefer. This new vegetation contributes to biodiversity and supports pollinators, small mammals, and other ground-nesting birds. Allowing more air to circulate through a stand, sunlight to reach the forest floor, reduces the risk of disease and pests, and contributes to a healthier forest overall.

When wildlife is also an objective, harvesting isn’t just about the timber, and there are several key factors to consider, including how, where, and why. After a harvest, a forester may lower planting density, which will keep the canopy open longer and encourage understory growth, and in some cases, increased tree growth. This is crucial for several of the species mentioned above, including the bobwhite quail, wild turkey, and whitetail deer. If a land management goal is to thin for wildlife habitat, it has similar results to a lower planting density but increases sunlight penetration to the forest floor, increasing and maintaining understory vegetation. A target basal area for a bobwhite habitat may be ±30-40 ft². Finally, certain harvesting techniques are more beneficial to wildlife. For instance, single-tree or group selection harvesting can maintain uneven-aged structure in a forest (which has numerous benefits on its own) and enhances the growth of desirable trees. This results in increased mast production (oak and beech, among others) and improves winter cover (softwoods for deer). Depending on the client’s objectives, foresters and land managers can use clearcuts and patch cuts strategically. Small, patchy harvests can create edge effects, which function as transitional zones to support diverse species. Targeted regeneration cuts can replicate fire, storm damage, and insect outbreaks, and support natural ecosystem cycles.

There are numerous opportunities to enhance wildlife habitat during and after a harvest. Retaining key structures, like snags (standing dead trees) and den trees, benefits woodpeckers, squirrels, and other cavity-nesting species like songbirds and some owls. Managing forest edges encourages shrubs, vines, and soft mast (blackberries, raspberries, etc.), which provide food and cover, and reduces wind/drying effects. Leaving some downed wood provides wildlife habitat, insect habitat (feeding birds), and nutrient cycling. Not only does leaving behind downed wood help provide wildlife habitat and benefits to the soil, but it also reduces removal costs for the landowner.

As with any forest management activities, having a Certified Wildlife Biologist or AFM forester on your side is key to success. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to land management, as many decisions depend on forest type, climate, existing conditions, previous management, landowner goals, etc. Foresters need to decide where to harvest, which method to use, and how to balance tradeoffs. With a professional on your side, he or she can balance timber harvesting and wildlife habitat as the two are frequently complementary. Active management regularly considers long-term thinking and ensures the forest asset is thriving. Well-managed forests can provide economic returns, ecological health, and diverse wildlife habitat all in one.

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Balancing Wildlife Habitat and Timber Production

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