People who own a vast property inhabited by an abundant amount of trees often have to contend with the proper care and maintenance. While they usually hire people to manage everything for them, the truth is that they often miss a lot in terms of proper forest management.
No one is born a forestry expert, after all. For this reason, it’s vital for landowners to at least have a general idea of what forest management is all about. It’s easy to assume that cutting down or adding more trees equates to achieving balance, and for the most part, that is correct. However, such an idea cannot summarize the overall concept and will more likely lead to unhealthy forestry.
If you really want to dwell on forest management by learning all of the basics, this guide is for you:
Harvesting the Trees
There is a big difference between harvesting trees to balance things out and merely cutting them down. Some landowners overdo this and end up wiping out their forests, often miscalculating the risks of too much timber. This particular action should be avoided at all costs, especially if you are just trying to cater to your land’s ecosystem.
Harvesting the right amount of trees will not only allow the woodland flora and fauna to thrive better but may also provide you with enough log supply for profit. You will also prevent an imbalance that may lead to pests infesting the whole forest.
Removing a Portion of the Trees
Now, this may sound similar to the first pointer, but it actually isn’t. First, it’s important to remember that harvesting refers to the act of cutting down a small area of trees to lessen the greens on that particular spot.
On the other hand, removing a portion of the trees aims to provide space between trees by only removing a handful of them. The trees that are cut down are positioned between the other trees, meaning that you are just adding a gap between your trees—not entirely clearing the land.
Adding More Trees to the Land
The first two pointers are all about subtraction, but what if your land needs more trees? The answer? A full-blown reforestation, of course!
Now, there are two ways that you can do this. The first method requires you to let nature run its course and wait for new trees to sprout independently. The second method usually requires human intervention and involves you and your hired personnel to plant the trees yourself.
Regardless of which method you choose, keep in mind that growing trees takes a long time, even lasting up to a decade. Nonetheless, it contributes to the growth of wildlife and other plants, ensuring that your forest remains home to a happy and thriving ecosystem.
Conclusion
Forest management doesn’t have to be challenging, so long as you know the basics. The methods we have listed would not only allow you to enjoy the benefits of having a well-handled forest, but it will also enable you to raise the value of your land, given that you have a thriving ecosystem within it. Invest time and effort in forest management and watch your woodland develop over time.
If you are looking for a company offering forest logging services for proper regulation and maintenance, look no further than Future Forest Inc. We provide quality forest management services all across the Western NY region, including excavation, timber sales, pond construction, among others. Let’s discuss forest management—contact us today!