Applied Forest Ecology: An Introduction to Silviculture Eli Sagor [email_address]

Thanks to Dan Gilmore, UMN College of Natural Resources

Thanks to

Dan Gilmore, UMN College

of Natural Resources

Outline What is “silviculture?” Values of the forest Forest structure Silvicultural systems Q&A

What is “silviculture?”

Values of the forest

Forest structure

Silvicultural systems

Q&A

Definitions of Silviculture The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, and health of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs of landowners and society on a sustainable basis. (J. Helms 1998)

The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, and health of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs of landowners and society on a sustainable basis.

(J. Helms 1998)

Definitions of Silviculture The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, and health of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs of landowners and society on a sustainable basis. (J. Helms 1998)

The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, and health of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs of landowners and society on a sustainable basis.

(J. Helms 1998)

Definitions of Silviculture The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, and health of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs of landowners and society on a sustainable basis. (J. Helms 1998)

The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, and health of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs of landowners and society on a sustainable basis.

(J. Helms 1998)

Definitions of Silviculture The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, and health of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs of landowners and society on a sustainable basis. (J. Helms 1998)

The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, and health of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs of landowners and society on a sustainable basis.

(J. Helms 1998)

Purpose of Silviculture To create and maintain the kind of forest that will best fulfill the objectives of the owner and governing society. (DM Smith et al. 1997)

To create and maintain the kind of forest that will best fulfill the objectives of the owner and governing society.

(DM Smith et al. 1997)

Limits of Silviculture Working with the forces of nature: sailing analogy

Working with the forces of nature: sailing analogy

Values we derive from forests Common forest products: Timber, game wildlife, recreation...

Common forest products:

Timber, game wildlife, recreation...

Values we derive from forests Common forest products Timber, game wildlife, recreation... Specialty forest products: Berries & nuts, birch bark, balsam boughs...

Common forest products

Timber, game wildlife, recreation...

Specialty forest products:

Berries & nuts, birch bark, balsam boughs...

Values we derive from forests Non-market values: Ecological, habitat Aesthetics Watershed protection Spiritual, existence values

Non-market values:

Ecological, habitat

Aesthetics

Watershed protection

Spiritual, existence values

Forest Structure

Kraft Crown Classification DOMINANT – trees with crowns extending above the main canopy—receiving direct sunlight from above and partly from the sides CODOMINANT – trees with crowns forming the general level of the crown cover—receiving direct sunlight from above but little from the sides

DOMINANT – trees with crowns extending above the main canopy—receiving direct sunlight from above and partly from the sides

CODOMINANT – trees with crowns forming the general level of the crown cover—receiving direct sunlight from above but little from the sides

Kraft Crown Classification INTERMEDIATE – shorter trees with crowns extending into the main canopy—receiving direct sunlight from above but not from the sides SUPPRESSED – trees with crowns entirely below the main canopy—receiving no direct light from above or from the sides

INTERMEDIATE – shorter trees with crowns extending into the main canopy—receiving direct sunlight from above but not from the sides

SUPPRESSED – trees with crowns entirely below the main canopy—receiving no direct light from above or from the sides

Age classes and cohorts EVEN-AGED: the difference in age between the youngest and oldest trees does not exceed 20% of the total rotation age. TWO-AGED: stands contain two distinct age classes. UNEVEN-AGED: stands contain at least three distinct age classes.

EVEN-AGED: the difference in age between the youngest and oldest trees does not exceed 20% of the total rotation age.

TWO-AGED: stands contain two distinct age classes.

UNEVEN-AGED: stands contain at least three distinct age classes.

(Ontario Extension image)

The toolbox

The toolbox Clearcut harvesting “ Selective” or partial harvesting Prescribed burning: to control understory competition to prepare a cleared site for planting to favor natural regeneration of desired species to reduce fuel loads Planting of desired species and/or genetically improved stock Protecting stands from damage from wildlife (deer!) Thinning at various times in the rotation Pruning: to improve log quality to reduce disease effects Spraying herbicides or pesticides Cutting to reduce insect threats Salvage cutting Fire suppression And more…

Clearcut harvesting

“ Selective” or partial harvesting

Prescribed burning:

to control understory competition

to prepare a cleared site for planting

to favor natural regeneration of desired species

to reduce fuel loads

Planting of desired species and/or genetically improved stock

Protecting stands from damage from wildlife (deer!)

Thinning at various times in the rotation

Pruning:

to improve log quality

to reduce disease effects

Spraying herbicides or pesticides

Cutting to reduce insect threats

Salvage cutting

Fire suppression

And more…

Silvicultural System Components Age classes (cohorts) Regeneration method Natural (from seed or sprout) Artificial (planted) Species composition pure or mixed

Age classes (cohorts)

Regeneration method

Natural (from seed or sprout)

Artificial (planted)

Species composition

pure or mixed

Silviculture ≠ Harvesting A silvicultural system applies to the whole rotation . A harvesting system applies only to the harvest .

A silvicultural system applies to the whole rotation .

A harvesting system applies only to the harvest .

Silvicultural Systems Clearcutting Seed tree Shelterwood Group selection Single-tree selection Intermediate treatments

Clearcutting

Seed tree

Shelterwood

Group selection

Single-tree selection

Intermediate treatments

Clearcutting Method Clear all vegetation Prepare the site Plant trees (generally) Spray herbicide to control competition Thin (generally) Clearcut, and start over

Clear all vegetation

Prepare the site

Plant trees (generally)

Spray herbicide to control competition

Thin (generally)

Clearcut, and start over

(Wisconsin DNR image)

(Ontario Extension image)

Seed Tree Method Start with a mature stand Harvest all but a few large trees per acre of desired species to drop seed Retain or remove seed trees Thin, etc Harvest

Start with a mature stand

Harvest all but a few large trees per acre of desired species to drop seed

Retain or remove seed trees

Thin, etc

Harvest

Seed tree: Before (Wisconsin DNR image)

Seed Tree: After (Wisconsin DNR image)

Shelterwood Method Start with a mature stand Partial harvest New seedlings are established Remove canopy, “release the advance regeneration”

Start with a mature stand

Partial harvest

New seedlings are established

Remove canopy, “release the advance regeneration”

Shelterwood: mature hardwood stand before any treatment (Wisconsin DNR image)

Shelterwood: After first cut (Wisconsin DNR image)

Shelterwood: After first cut, 5 years later (Wisconsin DNR image)

Shelterwood: After overstory removal (Wisconsin DNR image)

(Ontario Extension image)

Group Selection Start with a mature stand Remove small groups of trees to create patches of regeneration Repeat periodically in different areas

Start with a mature stand

Remove small groups of trees to create patches of regeneration

Repeat periodically in different areas

Selection System Start with mature stand Remove single trees or small groups Repeat as needed

Start with mature stand

Remove single trees or small groups

Repeat as needed

Single tree selection: Before (Wisconsin DNR image)

Single tree selection: After (Wisconsin DNR image)

(Ontario Extension image)

High-Grading Treatment occurs when landowner is strapped for cash Best trees removed, worst left, with little consideration for regeneration Future of the stand?

Treatment occurs when landowner is strapped for cash

Best trees removed, worst left, with little consideration for regeneration

Future of the stand?

Highgrade: Before any treatment (Wisconsin DNR image)

Highgrade: After treatment (Wisconsin DNR image)

High-Grading Treatment occurs when landowner is strapped for cash Best trees removed, worst left, with little consideration for regeneration Future of the stand? Is high-grading a silvicultural system?

Treatment occurs when landowner is strapped for cash

Best trees removed, worst left, with little consideration for regeneration

Future of the stand?

Is high-grading a silvicultural system?

Intermediate Treatments Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) Thinning Pre-commercial Commercial Salvage cutting Sanitation cutting

Timber Stand Improvement (TSI)

Thinning

Pre-commercial

Commercial

Salvage cutting

Sanitation cutting

Thinning (red pine) (Wisconsin DNR image)

More on Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) When choosing trees to cut, pay attention to: Tree form Crown class Desired future condition of stand

When choosing trees to cut, pay attention to:

Tree form

Crown class

Desired future condition of stand

How to get it done Long view Work with a professional forester May need to invest Ask around!

Long view

Work with a professional forester

May need to invest

Ask around!

Prescriptions Inventory: What do you have to work with? OBJECTIVES Available options?

Inventory: What do you have to work with?

OBJECTIVES

Available options?

Review Art and science: be creative! Desired future condition? Work WITH nature Many different options

Art and science: be creative!

Desired future condition?

Work WITH nature

Many different options

Questions? Eli Sagor [email_address] (651) 624-6948

Questions?

Eli Sagor

[email_address]

(651) 624-6948