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Every
private landowner should have a management plan for their
forest. It's been proven that properly managed land can
grow twice as much timber. At the same time, a good plan
will enhance other forest values, such as: wildlife
habitat, recreation, and aesthetic values.
As a landowner, you should manage your forest for the
benefits you want -- keeping in mind that nature will
manage your land if you don't. Chances are great that the
trees found naturally in your woodlands will be far less
attractive, diverse, and valuable than what you would
have with just a little management.
Very
simply stated, management is the act of identifying goals
and objectives -- and taking deliberate steps to achieve
them. Managing timber is much like managing any crop.
Depending on the condition of your land, you might
benefit from one of many different types of activities.
Management
Activities
Whether planning or through natural regeneration of your
forest stand, thinning to allow remaining trees to grow
better, removing or "weeding out" undesirable trees,
protecting against fire and other hazards such as insects
and disease, or harvesting to generate income and restore
the health and vigor of your timber stand, it is
important that you manage your forest with the future
value of your resource in mind.
In addition, when harvesting, it is important that equal
attention be paid both to the trees that are being cut
and the trees that remain (residual stand). Depending on
the size and condition of your woodland, you may want to
use different harvesting methods in different areas of
your property.
Each method of harvesting has good points -- so you
should consider your management objectives, the nature
and age of your forest, the value and distribution of
your timber, and what is best for the stand.
Best
Management Practices
When implementing management objectives, you should
consult good forestry guidelines known as
Best
Management Practices
(BMPs).
A recognized set of tools and methods designed to help
landowners, timber harvesters, and foresters practice
good forest management,
BMPs
represent state-of-the-art, scientific knowledge on the
management of Pennsylvania's hardwood forests. An outline
of optimal ways to harvest trees for timber while
enhancing wildlife, preserving aesthetics, and ensuring
future forest regeneration,
BMPs
represent a vision of the future for the sustainable
management of Pennsylvania's forests.
It's also important to remember that results are what
count. Working with a good, reputable forester can be
your best guide in deciding how to optimize your land.
For example, if you decide to harvest, you need to
carefully consider who will carry out your management
plans -- and how. Questions you'll want to ask include:
Has the timber harvester working on my property been
attending SFI's ongoing training program? Will the
harvesting company I'm working with be using
BMPs
to protect and enhance my land? And -- is the person
purchasing my timber a participant in the SFI
program?
Landowner
Goals
Again, the goal of the SFI of PA program is to ensure
that Pennsylvania's forests will remain healthy and
productive well into the future. Committed to working in
partnership with private forest landowners like you --
chances are whatever your experience level, SFI has
a program to help you.
By practicing SFI principles and guidelines and
working with individuals and companies who are
participants -- you are taking the right actions to
ensure that your forest land will be healthy and
productive today, tomorrow, and well into the future.
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