We are fortunate to have a property that is almost evenly split between tillable land and woods. When we were looking at properties to purchase, we would occasionally visit one with a forest management plan. These are typically developed as part of the process for enrolling woodlands into the WDNR's Managed Forest Law (MFL) program. In exchange for following sustainable forest management practices, a property owner can receive a reduced tax rate on their land.
We have not yet decided how we will manage our woods or what our goals are, but we liked the idea of learning more about our land. We discovered that the WDNR will send a staff forester to a property with 5 or more acres of woods for a free walkthrough to answer questions. We reached out to the WDNR, and were connected with Juli. We discussed a schedule for a visit, and settled on mid-March. Early spring is a good time for a walkthrough, as the trees do not yet have leaves and it is easier to see through the canopy. The downside is that one needs to identify tree species using only bark and buds, which may be easy for a forester but more difficult for us. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans, and the walkthrough was postponed.
Juli followed up with us in July to let us know that the WDNR was again allowing field visits, if social distancing and mask requirements were observed. She arrived at the tail end of a hot spell on a Friday morning. We all introduced ourselves, and set out for a hike through our woods. She was a very knowledgeable and experienced forester, and was extremely helpful. In the span of two hours, we learned many things about our woods. We learned that what I had thought were Elm trees were in fact ironwood or hophornbeam, a native tree but one that is not a preferred species. Hophornbean grows into the lower portion of the canopy and does not get larger, shading out seedlings of other species such as sugar maple. Like most conversations involving this tree, the forester and I discovered that at one point we were talking about two different tree species, as ironwood is often used as the common name for both hornbeam/musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana) and hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). We got some tips on how to manage invasive species such as multiflora rose and autumn olive. We also learned that many of our oak trees are in decline due to their age, and were likely remnants that will eventually be replaced by the dominant tree type of the area, sugar maple. Our recently fallen oak tree was a harbinger of that shift in species. We found a few ash trees, which the forester sadly indicated would probably succumb to Emerald Ash Borers, eventually.
As we wound up back at the house, Juli described the details of a forest management plan and how there are a couple of grant programs that can assist with funding a plan and management activities. We are a bit leery of committing to the MFL program, but she explained that a forest management plan can be a useful tool, and there is no requirement to follow one if we are not in the MFL. As she drove off in her truck, Maggie and I agreed that the walkthrough was well worth the wait, the price was right, and it gave us plenty to think about as stewards of our woods.
ความคิดเห็น