Kenan Fellows Program Logo and page header graphic

Forest Wildlife Management and Conservation

Author: LeRoy Humphries
Level: High School
Content Area: Biology, Environmental Science
Posted February 2nd, 2010 by Admin

Lesson 6: After Harvest: Reproducing the Forest

Trees are considered a renewable resource because they grow back! After the timber has been harvested from an area what happens? The land can be returned to production by reseeding the area. How is this accomplished? There are a variety of methods for reseeding. A few are listed below.

Natural Seeding is the process of allowing a timbered area to repopulate naturally. This is called secondary succession, where an area regenerates itself after some sort of disturbance. If sufficient seed trees are left the forest can regenerate within a few short years. While it is economically efficient (meaning it saves money...) the forester cannot control the types of plants that grow there and, if the cleared area is large, it may take a long time for natural reseeding to occur, and there will not be straight rows of trees.

Natural Seeding photo

Direct seeding is the direct application of tree seeds to an area that has been timbered. This process can be accomplished by hand, using tractors (either with seed spreaders or grain drills), or even from aircraft! It is a bit faster than natural seeding, but more expensive, and, like natural seeding, may not result in straight rows of trees. The results can vary greatly, depending on the method of seed placement.

Direct Seeding photo

Planting Seedlings from a tree nursery is the most certain and quickest way to get a stand of timber growing again. Seedlings may be obtained at a relatively low cost and can be replanted by hand or using tractors. Below is a list of the advantages and disadvantages to this method.

Advantages and Disadvantages to Planting Seedlings

Advantages

Disadvantages

Complete control over species

Introduced trees may not do as well as native species

Easy selection of tree varieties

High initial investment (costs)

Can plant new tree species not already present in an area

Reduced genetic variability may make the timber stand more susceptible to disease and/or insect infestation

The forest is replenished in less time compared to other methods

 

Less erosion due to rapid replenishment

 

Spacing of trees can be controlled

 

Creation of a pure and even-aged timber stand

 

Trees are healthy and may be genetically superior

 

So, you can see that there are a variety of methods for replanting a forest. Which one to use? That question is best answered by looking at several factors. How much money is the landowner willing or able to spend? What are the long-term goals of the landowner? How large is the area to be replanted? How difficult is it to access the area? Can you think of any other considerations in choosing the method of replanting?

Now, let's take a look at a few cases and see if you can choose the best method of replanting.


Value: 1
An area is to be replanted with a mixed variety of trees. There are no seed trees left and the area is too big for trees on the fringe to reseed in a reasonable amount of time. The land is too rugged for land-based replanting.
 
 
 
 
 

# 1 / 9

Value: 1
An area that hs been timbered is habitat for an endangered bird species. This bird has very specific tree requirements, and many nice specimens have been left untouched. Once the timbering has finished the area must return to a natural state, with little human disturbance.
 
 
 
 
 

# 2 / 9

Value: 1
The area to be replanted is rather remote and large. There are very few trees remaining and they are very widely spaced. The landowner wants to harvest again in 20 years or so.
 
 
 
 
 

# 3 / 9

Value: 1
The area to be replanted is rather remote and large. There are very few trees remaining and they are very widely spaced. The landowner wants to harvest again in 20 years or so.
 
 
 
 
 

# 3 / 9

Value: 1
An area of a few hundred acres is going to be replanted after harvest. The landowner desires a stand consisting of only one species planted in relatively straight rows, but doesn't have the money to purchase seedlings from a tree nursery.
 
 
 
 
 

# 4 / 9

Value: 1
A relatively small area with well established forests all around is timbered. There are no plans to harvest that site again in the foreseeable future.
 
 
 
 
 

# 5 / 9

Value: 1
A landowner wants a specific type of hardwood tree replanted on his property after it has been timbered. The area is only a few hundred acres, is easily accessible, and is relatively flat and open. There are no good specimens of this type of tree in the area, but he wants it to regenerate quickly.
 
 
 
 
 

# 6 / 9

Value: 1
A landowner wants to grow a species of tree that is not commonly found in his area. He plans to monitor growth and wants even spacing between his trees so that he can check on them frequently.
 
 
 
 
 

# 7 / 9

Value: 1
After timber is harvested on a steep slope the owner wants to allow it to regrow naturally to make a more natural looking forested area. The area is rather small and several very nice tree specimens have been left standing.
 
 
 
 
 

# 8 / 9

Value: 1
A large section of a southern pine plantation has been clearcut. The landowners intend to harvest again within 20 years. The forest manager wants the trees to be easily accessed and managed. Additionally, the entire stand should be longleaf pines.
 
 
 
 
 

# 9 / 9