Forestry
Statement
Timber is a renewable natural resource in the Texas Pineywoods. The “axe” or harvest of timber as a habitat management tool alludes to the impact of timber harvests on wildlife habitat quality. Volumes have been written on the ideal timber management strategies—however, almost all are somewhat species specific. The following addresses a general approach that maximizes diversity that favors many species—but may be detrimental to others requiring very narrow habitat requirements (i.e. red-cockaded woodpecker).
If even-aged timber management is being practiced in a pine forest, a crop of trees that was planted at the same time are grown and harvested all at once. The period of time from tree planting to harvest is referred to as the “rotation age“. If these blocks or cutting units can be limited in size (15 to 35 acres), adjacent timber stands represent the maximize edge per area of the harvest. Also, plant diversity and abundance increase within the harvested areas in response to sunlight reaching the soil. These “clear cuts” are generally replanted with seedlings but also produce tremendous quantities of browse and forbs in the presence of full sunlight and in response to soil disturbances associated with the timber harvest.
The production of these understory species usually peaks after a few years and rapidly decline as the newly planted trees grow and shade them out. Seed tree and shelterwood cuts are also even-age timber production methods, but enough mature trees are left to naturally re-seed the harvested areas rather than via stand re-establishment using planted seedlings.
Uneven management calls for the removal of individual or small groups of trees every few years. This technique results in a continuous canopy of trees in several diameter and age classes with regeneration occurring naturally. Again, if harvested properly, this technique can enhance diversity and improve wildlife habitat from the standpoint of food and cover requirements.
At least some of the mast-producing (i.e. acorns, nuts) hardwood tree species such as oaks should be protected from harvest as they are most productive at 60 to 80 years of age. These hardwoods should be maintained in clumps rather than individual trees. Managing for a diversity of oak species increases the odds of a producing a mast crop every year.
Streamside management zones (SMZs) should be established along streams and rivers by excluding these areas from tree harvest in order to provide travel corridors for wildlife such as white-tailed deer as they move throughout the habitat. To provide adequate screening cover, trees and other vegetative cover should be maintained in a zone of 150 feet in width along each side of the waterway. The maintenance of undisturbed SMZs not serve as travel corridors but also reduce erosion and protect streamside areas from soil erosion which maintains the quality of streams and rivers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I manage my pine timber for white-tailed deer?
A. Yes, however, deer thrive on a diverse vegetation community. If the stand is even-aged, managing for smaller blocks of various ages of pine that are harvested at different times help maximize stand diversity and provide food and cover for deer. Recent clearcuts will provide the most food for this species.
Q. Does timber harvest activities cause wildlife to leave the area?
A. In general, any disruption (i.e. harvest, prescribed burns) may cause species to vacate the immediate area on a temporary basis. However, the plant diversity the disturbance creates generally improves habitat conditions for many species.
Q. What pine timber management strategy favors quail?
A. The bobwhite quail is an early successional species. This means at least 30% bare ground is required and the remaining cover can consist of some grasses and forbs with thickets of plums or similar mid-story species that offer overhead cover with open ground underneath. Therefore, the best habitats are those that are timber stands that are recently planted or recently harvested. Once canopy closure occurs, the habitat quality for quail rapidly declines. Stands that are thinned routinely and/or burned using prescribed fire help maintain the habitat as “quail friendly”.