Forest Management
Indiana’s Forests Have a History of Management
People have lived in and managed the forests of southern Indiana since the retreat of the glaciers. Native Americans used fire for many purposes. Burning the forests allowed for a more open understory that provided food, and habitat for the wildlife they hunted. The artwork on the Indiana Seal depicts a grazing animal, a bison. The use of fire as a management tool maintained the grassy areas for the bison, which were common on the Indiana landscape before 1800.
Natural disturbance events such as wind and ice storms, tornadoes, and damage caused by massive flocks of Passenger Pigeons also helped maintain this ecosystem. Indiana’s forests developed for thousands of years under a regime of disturbance.
Since the early 1900’s, though, our forests have been changing. Without fire and other disturbances, they are becoming more shaded and mesic (cool and damp). Because of this, trees intolerant to shade, such as oak and hickory, are finding it hard to compete and thrive. The continued loss of the Oak-Hickory Ecosystem is documented to be affecting the birds and wildlife it sustains. Our forests, that developed under a regime of management and disturbance, need continued disturbance to thrive. To retain diverse forest ecosystems, management is required.
Science-Based Forest Management
Forestry is the art and science of managing forests. Silvics, the study of the biology and ecology of trees and forests, is the scientific foundation of forestry. Major universities and the USDA Forest Service, among other entities, conduct research to advance our knowledge of forest ecology and management.
Professional foresters use their knowledge of silvics, and practical experience to manage forest establishment, composition, and growth. Foresters strive to achieve landowner objectives for their forests. The most commonly stated management objective by landowners is to do the right thing for their forests.
Landowners seeking to implement science-based forest management should consult a professional forester. Professional foresters continually refresh and improve their skills by attending training to remain current on the latest management techniques and best management practices. The first step in forest management is asking your forester to create a forest management plan. Management plans can be written for entire forests or individual stands. Plans are based on landowner goals and objectives, and take into account the condition of the existing forest.
Managing for Forest Health and Wildlife
Proper management benefits both the forest health and wildlife communities. Recent decades with little-to-no active management have resulted in many Indiana woodlands shifting to closed-canopy forests. Without sufficient sunlight, forest floors no longer support the rich, biodiverse layer of grasses, forbs, and shrubs needed for wildlife cover and food. Various regeneration techniques, and intermediate practices such as forest stand improvement and prescribed fire, may be used to open and maintain forest canopy gaps to encourage herbaceous plant and shrub growth.
A primary objective when managing forests for wildlife is creating a diverse forest landscape. The landscape alternates between forest stands of different ages, young and old. The young and mature forest stands have differing species composition and structure. Interspersing young and mature stands, and using different management techniques across the landscape ensures a wide variety of habitats are available to support a diverse wildlife community.
Managing Your Forest
Understanding Your Management Plan
You have talked to a forester and have a management plan for for your forest. Now what? Let’s have a look at the plan. Your plan serves as a guide to manage your forest land, to improve forest health, productivity, and all of the benefits found in the natural resources. One of the first things your forester will ask about are your goals for the land. Why do you own this woodland? There are many landowner objectives, including improving the health of the forest, timber production, wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities, recreation, and spending time in the woods with family. Other objectives can be maintaining a healthy watershed, having a place to mushroom hunt, bird watch, or having a peaceful place to rest and recharge. Your goals should be taken into consideration in your plan, as well as the desired future conditions.
Complete Description of the Forest Resource
The first things in the plan include the forest location, the history of the forest, and a description of the forest resource. The description will include the hills and slopes, the soils, and what types of trees are found in the forest. Things such as the presence of non-native invasive species, rare or endangered species, wildlife resources, and tree health and mortality will be noted, as well as the “stocking” of the forest; a measure of the density of the trees.
Timeline of Management Activities
After the description of the forest, your forester will have a timeline of management activities, a list of recommended practices for you to complete to achieve your goals. The practices might include non-native invasive species management, forest stand improvement, tree or shrub establishment, or a harvest. Some landowners are hands-on managers, and they and their families can complete some of the practices. But some landowners will not have the time or expertise to do this work on their own. Either way, your forester will guide you through the process of completing these activities. Foresters are also knowledgeable about funding sources available in your area. Funding might come from a cost-share program that a landowner applies for. Cost share funds are used to hire contractors to complete the management practices for the landowner, under the guidance of your forester. See common management practices, listed below:
Forest Management Practices
The following list includes commonly used practices for restoring and managing forest stands. Often, a combination of practices will be utilized.
Forest Stand Improvement (FSI)
Non-commercial intermediate practices utilized to manage forest stands to meet specific management objectives such as forest health, plant community composition, and creating wildlife habitats. Used in oak-hickory restoration and maintenance to release oaks and hickories from competition with other species and to improve wildlife habitats. Completed by cutting down or girdling competing undesirable shade-tolerant trees to release oaks and hickories. Herbicide should be used on cuts to deaden trees. For smaller diameter stands, basal bark application of herbicide can be used to deaden less-desirable trees.
Midstory Removal
Deadening or felling trees in the midstory, while leaving most of the overstory intact. This provides partial sunlight to the forest floor, aiding the survival and growth of oak and hickory seedlings. Vigorous oak seedlings should be present prior to midstory removal, or a good seed source. Shade-tolerant and other undesirable tree species such as beech and maple should be targeted for removal.
Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) Removal and Control
Non-native invasive plants compete with native plants for sunlight and water. Ongoing control of NNIS is critical to successful forest management. NNIS plant control is strongly recommended prior to initiating management activities. Management practices that increase sunlight to the forest floor can exacerbate NNIS infestations if NNIS are not controlled prior to practice implementation. Invasive species offer poor nutrition for wildlife compared to nutritionally rich native species.
The Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule (effective 4.18.2020) designates 44 species of plants as invasive pests in the State of Indiana, making it illegal to sell, gift, barter, exchange, distribute, transport, or introduce these plants. More information about invasive plants and their locations can be found in the Guide to the Regulated Terrestrial Invasive Plant Species of Indiana: https://www.sicim.info/s/A-Guide-to-the-Regulated-Terrestrial-Invasive-Plant-Species-of-Indiana-web.pdf.
Prescribed Fire
Planned, low-intensity surface fires that deaden or top-kill small trees and shrubs in the understory and midstory. Not always an appropriate management practice for landowner objectives, or existing forest conditions. Gives fire-tolerant oak regeneration an advantage over that of fire-intolerant species. Reduces leaf litter on the forest floor, allowing acorns to sprout by placing them in contact with the soil. The use of fire may help suppress or control invasive species. Requires a written management plan in Indiana.
Shelterwood Systems
Even-aged regeneration technique which consists of a sequence of harvests to encourage successful advanced regeneration and development of oak trees. Typically begins with midstory removal to provide partial sunlight to oak seedlings to encourage regeneration and development. Once advanced regeneration is established, overstory trees are removed to fully release oak seedlings to become the next stand.
Silvicultural Clearcut
Even-aged regeneration technique that involves removing all trees, regardless of size or form, in one operation. Used to regenerate shade-intolerant species.
Single Tree Selection
Uneven-aged regeneration method in which single trees are removed throughout a stand to improve growing conditions for the remaining trees.
Group Selection
Uneven-aged regeneration technique in which small groups of trees are removed throughout a stand instead of single trees. Group selection openings (typically one acre or smaller) allow sunlight to penetrate the opening and release oak trees competing for space. Single tree selection typically favors regeneration of shade-intolerant species, whereas group selection favors a mix of shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species.
Supplemental Planting
Planting tree seedlings in the understory of an oak-hickory dominated forest that has received midstory removal, or planting tree seedlings in forest openings to help influence forest composition and diversity. Typically requires tree protection in the form of tree tubes, cages, or fencing to protect from deer browse, or other wildlife damage.
Tree Planting/Reforestation
Tree establishment through planting seedlings or direct seeding. Species planted, location, and planting density based on site conditions such as soils, existing vegetation, and aspect. Common cause of failure in tree plantings is lack of ongoing management to control competition from natural regeneration of undesirable species, and excessive herbivory developed through deer browse.
Deer Population Control
Mitigation of negative impacts of overabundant deer herds to reduce damage to young oak and hickory seedlings. Typically accomplished through hunting, or implementation of physical barriers such as fencing and tree tubes. Fences exclude deer from areas of tree regeneration; tree tubes protect seedlings from deer browse. Excessive deer populations remove their preferred browse species such as oak, while leaving non-preferred species (e.g., spicebush, pawpaw, and American beech) to proliferate and dominate the understory and impede oak regeneration.
Forest Stewardship Practices for Oak-Hickory Ecosystems in Indiana
LSSI, in cooperation with Indiana NRCS and Purdue Extension, created the Forest Stewardship Practices for Oak-Hickory Ecosystems in Indiana publication as a resource for landowners and managers interested in learning more about science-based management practices they can utilize on their property. This publication is available at all IDNR District Forester’s offices, and available here.