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Landowners at the March 6 forestry-wildlife field day learn about hardwood
management from a silvicultural and economic standpoint. Small plots were
established to compare a diameter limit cut with a selection cut. Plans
are to carry out larger scale demonstrations of several acres to compare
different cutting methods.
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Here, landowners listen to a presentation about Best Management Practices
(BMPs). Water bars and other water diversion devices have been installed
on the steeper woods roads to reduce erosion. |
The
most recent timber harvest occurred on the River Hills Tract in 1994.
About 306,000 bd.ft. (Doyle) were removed in a selection cut on about 60
acres. Other harvests were conducted nearby in 1989, 1990, and 1991.
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This 12-acre field near Waugh Mountain will be planted with seedlings of
cherrybark oak, white oak, and sawtooth oak in Spring 2005, primarily to
investigate and compare acorn production and future acorn preferences by
wildlife. Plans are to incorporate a tree shelter demonstration with this
planting. The current field/woods edge will be planted with various trees,
shrubs, and forages to demonstrate a feathered edge for wildlife food and
cover. |
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In
a tract termed the “Goat 40s”, economic returns from the production of low
grade hardwood forest stands were compared with returns from similar acres
converted to range grazing. In the grazed area, the overstory was sprayed
to kill the hardwoods, and native grasses were allowed to come in or
forage grasses were seeded. |
Loblolly and shortleaf pine plantations were established to compare the
effects of several different spacings on tree growth. Several trees were
damaged during a recent ice storm. A thinning and improvement cut is
planned in the near future. |
Shortleaf and loblolly pine seedlings were planted underneath a hardwood
stand. Herbicides were applied by various methods to determine which
herbicides and methods of applications are most effective in removing the
overstory hardwood species, and thereby releasing the pines. |
An
example of a BMP stream crossing using washed rock in the road to minimize
sediment disruption during heavy road use on the River Hills Tract.
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