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What
can forest management accomplish?
People
own forested land for a great variety of reasons. Most people who own
forest land in New England are motivated by a love of the outdoors and
the forest landscape that is so much a part of the region's history. Prior
to recommending any forest management projects, Masswood talks with each
landowner to ascertain his or her interests and goals for the property.
The following list of possible management objectives, which is by no means
all inclusive, reflects the complexity and beauty of New England's forests.
Almost all landowners have more than one objective for managing their
property.
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Objective:
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Maintain
the health and biodiversity of the forest ecosystem.
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Manage
for:
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Diversity
of age classes.
Diversity
of species.
Species well-adapted to the site, and resistant to insects and
diseases.
Abundant regeneration of desirable canopy tree species.
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Objective:
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Produce
revenue from forest products over the long term.
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Manage
for:
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High-value
commercial timber species.
Well-formed trees (straight, no branches on lower bole, etc.).
Rapid growth (healthy trees with large crowns).
Minimal competition between timber crop trees.
Woods roads that allow access to all areas managed for timber.
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Objective:
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Create
or maintain wildlife habitat.
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Manage
for:
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Wildlife
openings.
Early successional habitat.
Vegetation that provides food and cover for wildlife.
Habitat structures such as brush piles and nest boxes.
Adequate density of large diameter snags.
Protection of fragile but important habitats such as vernal pools.
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Objective:
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Enhance
the aesthetic value of the forest.
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Manage
for:
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Clear
views from high elevation points on the property.
Park-like appearance (open understory) in frequently visited areas.
Mixture of deciduous and evergreen species.
Views of water bodies.
Minimal disturbance caused by forest management activities.
Sight lanes in areas frequented by wildlife.
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Objective:
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Enhance
the recreational value of the forest.
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Manage
for:
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Extensive
trail networks that reach areas of interest.
Access to water bodies.
Habitat for game species.
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Objective:
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Provide
opportunities for research and education.
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Manage
for:
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Opportunities
to conduct research on the effects of new or unusual silvicultural
treatments, particularly treatments that are designed to establish
regeneration of desirable canopy tree species.
Opportunities to use the forest as a demonstration area for students
and other landowners.
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Objective:
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Protect
water quality.
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Manage
for:
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Filter
strips adjacent to wetlands and watercourses.
Minimal ground disturbance.
Diversity of age classes (which promotes resistance to hurricanes).
Establishment of evergreen leafscreens around water bodies.
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Objective:
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Protect
land from development over the long term.
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Manage
for:
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Granting
a conservation easement to a trusted organization.
Donating the land to a trusted organization with the condition
that it
will not be developed.
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Objective:
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Produce
non-timber forest products.
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Manage
for:
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Forest
the desired product (e.g. maple syrup, Christmas trees, witch
hazel, mountain laurel cuttings, shiitake mushrooms, ginseng,
etc.)
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Objective:
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Produce
firewood.
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Manage
for:
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Include
firewood thinnings near access roads as part of the management
regime.
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