Caring for a forest

In February of 2002, after a two year search, Kate and I became part owners (along with a bank) of a small parcel of forest in Piedmont North Carolina.

The day we took possession was exciting, but also a bit strange. My own landownership experience had been limited to the quarter acre suburban lot. Like Native Americans negotiating with the European settlers, we wondered how a forest could be owned. Did our deed include the turtles? The water flowing through? Even now I sometimes get boggled by it's relative vastness. Regardless, our aim was to take care of the property so it would be in decent shape for whoever came along after.

You might think a forest wouldn't need much care. You might think nature, with her grand design and methods, would just as soon not be tinkered with. There is evidence, however, that humans have been interacting with and influencing the North American landscape for millennia. The "natural state" of a forest is actually dependent upon thoughtful human manipulation. It's almost like humans were meant to interact with the natural world.

These are the things we have done so far to care for the little parcel on which we live.

We took a walk - Being longtime trail hikers, we began to explore the property on foot, using the existing network of logging roads. We became more familiar with the features, topography, trees, plants and animals. Four-wheelers are nice, and I covet one deeply, but a walking pace is the right pace for careful observation.

We built a bridge - The property is dissected by a stream which, during heavy rains is un-crossable. A footbridge provided safe and convenient access to the entire property at all times.

We built another bridge - Our first bridge, an elegant structure made from pine logs and branches, eventually began to rot away. Footbridge 2.0 is made of treated lumber and has lasted well.

We built a couple trails - We began to create footpaths to places the logging roads did not reach. These paths gave us access to interesting features such as an old spring house, wildflower communities, and small waterfalls on the stream. Here's how we do it:  Building a Path Through the Forest

We took a few more hikes.

We got advice from smart people - Natural resource professionals from government agencies are a tremendously valuable resource. They even wrote us a detailed plan that spells out management tasks. We also sought advice from other landowners and private consultants.

We cut down some trees - Like carrot seedlings, pine trees need to be thinned. It benefits the trees, the wildlife, and other native plants. We hired a crew to do this tough work (a Forest Service program covered part of the expense). In some areas we had so many pine trees that they were only four feet apart, spacing which would have severely limited their future growth and health.

We cut down some more trees - We missed a few the first time.

We started a fire - Fire is tremendously beneficial to the loblolly pine forest ecosystem (and for some other forest types as well). It opens up the understory which otherwise can grow thick with sweetgums and non-native invasive plants. It encourages the growth of wildflowers and reduces the risk of a damaging wildfire. It's also fun as hell to watch! As with the thinning, we got financial help from the Forest Service.

We hiked some more.

We started another fire - You can burn as often as every three years, but it's kind of a production and you have to get professional help, so we've only done it twice.

We invited friends and family over to hike, hunt and explore - Sharing the property with others is one of the things we love most.

We cut down a bunch more trees - This time I actually thinned about 5 acres by myself with a chainsaw, a little at a time, over the winter. Later, I took a nap.

We built a couple more trails - Including logging roads, firebreaks and footpaths, we now have about 3 miles of trails.

We harvested firewood and deer - The amount we harvest actually has very little impact one way or the other on the overall health of our forest. Yet, the fact that some small portion of our subsistence comes from this forest connects us to it all the more intimately.

We kept on hiking - We observed the changes through the seasons and from year to year. We continued to learn more about the unique features of the property. We watched the wildflowers bloom and the deer run and the trees grow.

We took a few pictures - I almost never go for a walk without my camera. I have an extensive (if informal) years-long pictorial record of plant species, seasonal changes, forest growth, and more.

We sprayed a LOT of that supposedly nasty chemical that's poisoning the earth - Even if that were true (it's not), it is vitally important to control brush and weeds along the trails which can harbor disease carrying ticks, and annoying chiggers. Poison ivy is also a real nuisance. All my spraying is done with a backpack sprayer, which allows me to make very targeted applications, removing unwanted plants and conserving desirable ones such as native wildflowers and ferns.

We killed exotic invasive plants - We have done battle with ligustrum, kudzu, ailanthus, and paulownia, any of which can overtake an area, completely displacing native vegetation and destroying animal habitat. Cutting them back is next to useless. Herbicide treatment is essential.

We took lots and lots more hikes.

What's next?

There is a myth or misconception that forests can achieve some "natural state" if only we would leave them alone. In fact, however, forests are ever changing and we will continue to manage ours. In the next year or so we hope to thin again, cutting the weaker trees and leaving the strong ones to grow (this time the harvested trees will go to a paper mill). I hope we have a few more burns in our future. And in another couple decades we may clearcut a few acres.

Clearcuts have an image problem, largely I think due to unbridled and unsustainable logging of old growth forests in decades past (and no doubt still occurring in certain parts of the world). But I've come to believe they have a role to play. Across any given landscape, we need mature forests, young ones, clearings, and everything between. Different plants and animals prefer different habitats, so having diversity across the landscape is crucial. A final harvest also provides the opportunity to grow a new forest.

We do love this little patch of woods. Yes, one day many of the existing trees will become toilet paper and 2x4's. But our hope is that the land will produce fresh air, clean water and wildlife habitat for centuries to come, as well as paths for people to drink it all in.

NOTES:
1.  Here are the natural resource agencies that can assist forest landowners. I should have included the actual links to their websites, but you can use that Google thing...

• NC Forest Service
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission
• Soil and Water Conservation District
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• NC Cooperative Extension

2. My knowledge is really limited to forests in Piedmont North Carolina in the USA, and I would not claim to know whether any of this applies to forests in other locations.