Why Forest Management Isn’t One Size Fits All

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

It might be tempting to think that all forests are created equal, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, forests vary widely depending on a number of factors, and success depends on having a forester or land manager who understands local conditions. From different climates and threats to forest health to regulations and client objectives, the team at American Forest Management (AFM) is uniquely positioned to help landowners manage their property.

Local Climate Factors

Managing a forest in the Southeast is vastly different from managing a forest in the Pacific Northwest and Northeastern US. Spruce, fir, red oak, white oak, sugar maple, white pine, and black cherry trees that naturally regenerate in the Northeast offer a contrast to the loblolly, slash, and longleaf pine forests in the Southern United States. Many tree species in the Northeastern states and Michigan reseed and rarely require replanting, thanks to the cool, wet climate and fertile soils. Here, forest management activities like tree thinning are required at certain intervals to prevent the canopy from becoming too dense.

Loblolly pine forests tell another story. This highly adaptable species is prized for its fast growth and timber merchantability, but it also stores carbon, provides wildlife habitat, and helps stabilize soils. Still, it requires thinnings (conducted between 8 and 10 years or 15 and 20 years) to ensure stand health and eliminate or minimize competition. Prescribed burns and herbicide applications can help control weeds and regenerate vegetation in the understory, creating food and foraging opportunities for many wildlife species. Slash pine and longleaf pine are also common tree species planted in the Southeast, although they do not grow as quickly as loblolly.

It is also imperative to watch for pests that are specific to a particular region. For instance, Western Pine Beetle and Mountain Pine Beetle outbreaks pose significant threats in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain Region, and treatment usually requires a two-pronged approach of suppression and prevention. Suppression usually calls for felling infested trees and creating buffer strips around healthy trees to prevent the spread. Southern pine beetles and Ips beetles in the Southeast are dealt with similarly. Brown Spot Needle Blight is a fungus that attacks loblolly pines and can cause massive destruction throughout a stand. In this case, tree thinning is utilized as a preventative approach to increase airflow throughout and promote foliage drying. Of course, pests are not the only threat to a healthy, vibrant forest, and there are others to watch out for.

Wildfire Threats

While wildfires can break out in the Southeast, they typically are more prevalent in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain Region, where dry, dead foliage and hot summer weather create fuels in abundance. Foresters and land managers can conduct silvicultural activities that reduce fuel loads and help prevent fires before they start. Landowners can also plant trees that are more resilient to wildfire threats, including ponderosa pine, which has thick bark and lower branches that are self-pruning. The self-pruning helps cut down on dangerous ladder fuels that spread into the tree canopy, making a wildfire significantly worse.

In the Southeast, longleaf pine is more resilient to wildfires and prefers well-drained, acidic soils, as well as clay soils that are so common to the region. Prescribed burns are a top choice for protecting certain pine species, as they help minimize combustible debris on the forest floor. Strategic thinnings can also help prevent wildfires in longleaf pine forests, but the exact timing should be done under the careful attention of a forester. Managing a forest for threats from fire and pests is not all that a forester or land manager must take into account, as region-specific regulations and sustainability certifications have their own requirements.

SFI, FSC, BMPs, and other Regulations

Forests with sustainability certifications must follow rigorous standards to maintain their status. Since each is subject to multiple audits, it is important that foresters and land managers document silvicultural activities that are conducted on a site. For instance, SFI® requires reforestation after a harvest, usually within two years, as well as protection for threatened and endangered species. There are strict requirements for water and soil quality protections, and operators must meet or exceed best management practices to protect riparian zones and streamside zones. SFI and FSC® delineate specific requirements regarding the use of specific types of pesticides and herbicides and limit clearcut sizes depending on the certification and region. Both certifications also adhere to social and labor rules that create protections for indigenous groups and uphold fair and safe work practices.

Additionally, Best Management Practices (BMPs) vary by state, and some are compulsory while others are voluntary. In areas like Washington State, there are other regulations that are designed to protect wildlife species and create a pact between landowners and federal agencies. While Safe Harbor Agreements are voluntary, they encourage landowners to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat that benefits particular species. Naturally, these certifications and agreements all impact how the land is managed, how harvests are conducted, and dictate replanting in the future.

Client Objectives

Lastly, client objectives reign supreme in how the land is managed. Managing the land for timber takes into account the region, soils, threats, pests, successful tree species, and more. This will vary greatly depending on the geography, and the silvicultural activities performed on the site are dictated by those factors. If the landowner’s objective is to encourage wildlife, land managers will enhance and maintain habitat, performing prescribed burns to create opportunities for new growth in the understory. Depending on the wildlife species, this may mean leaving snags on the property for birds and animals to nest in during a timber harvest, as well as creating an edge habitat for deer. Leaving some woody debris on the forest floor after a harvest provides shelter and habitat for numerous wildlife species.

It’s important to realize that forest management is a highly specialized skill that requires a local expert. To maintain a healthy, resilient forest, it’s crucial to have a forester, land manager, and a Certified Wildlife Biologist on your side who know the local environment and can monitor and advise based on site conditions. Our team at AFM is ready to help you with custom, tailor-made solutions that fit your property’s goals and objectives.