outdoorman
Senior Member
I recently acquired 46 acres of wooded forestland in rural middle Georgia on the Fall line.
It is surrounded by timberland and other small woodland landowners.
While walking with the county forester last year, I explained my desire to use it for both woodland conservation and light hunting and he later wrote a brief land management plan:
...This tract contains a mixture of natural upland pines and hardwoods as well as bottom land hardwoods. At this time a prescribed burn regimen could be implemented and burning could be done on a three year rotation. I recommend that the upland stands be burned and let the fire burn back down the slopes and put itself out as it reaches the bottomland stands. By burning these upland areas, it will reduce the competition in the stand and open it up for the benefit of both wildlife and timber production.
Also, at this time, the majority of the upland areas contain pre-commercial sized trees. Since it is a natural stand, it is overstocked and will need to be thinned but I recommend waiting 5 more years for the trees to be commercial sized and hauled for chipwood or chip-n-saw.
After the upland stands have been thinned, I recommend waiting one more year before picking back up with the prescribed burning rotation.
The Forester then referred me to the local GFC unit for assistance with doing a prescribed burn and setting firebreaks.
Well, I had GFC come out and they started the firebreak. When I inquired about doing a prescribed burn the forestry staff warned me that a prescribed burn would put the hardwoods at risk of not surviving the fire. I have several very nice large mast producing white oaks and hickories on the property.
Worried about harming or losing these trees, I called the county Forester back and he advised that as much rain as we got it should not be a concern.
When I relayed this back to the GFC, they still said there is always a risk that the hardwoods might get harmed.
Now, I'm not sure whether to proceed or what is prudent to do.
It is surrounded by timberland and other small woodland landowners.
While walking with the county forester last year, I explained my desire to use it for both woodland conservation and light hunting and he later wrote a brief land management plan:
...This tract contains a mixture of natural upland pines and hardwoods as well as bottom land hardwoods. At this time a prescribed burn regimen could be implemented and burning could be done on a three year rotation. I recommend that the upland stands be burned and let the fire burn back down the slopes and put itself out as it reaches the bottomland stands. By burning these upland areas, it will reduce the competition in the stand and open it up for the benefit of both wildlife and timber production.
Also, at this time, the majority of the upland areas contain pre-commercial sized trees. Since it is a natural stand, it is overstocked and will need to be thinned but I recommend waiting 5 more years for the trees to be commercial sized and hauled for chipwood or chip-n-saw.
After the upland stands have been thinned, I recommend waiting one more year before picking back up with the prescribed burning rotation.
The Forester then referred me to the local GFC unit for assistance with doing a prescribed burn and setting firebreaks.
Well, I had GFC come out and they started the firebreak. When I inquired about doing a prescribed burn the forestry staff warned me that a prescribed burn would put the hardwoods at risk of not surviving the fire. I have several very nice large mast producing white oaks and hickories on the property.
Worried about harming or losing these trees, I called the county Forester back and he advised that as much rain as we got it should not be a concern.
When I relayed this back to the GFC, they still said there is always a risk that the hardwoods might get harmed.
Now, I'm not sure whether to proceed or what is prudent to do.
