Wednesday, September 4, 2002

Managing woodlands for wildlife in Fayette

For many forest landowners in Fayette County, the wildlife found on their property is at least as important as the timber. It is usually possible to manage woodlands for timber production while still providing excellent wildlife habitat.

In general, good timber management is good wildlife management. Various species of wildlife require various types of habitat. The recommendations given below apply to many species, but especially to deer and turkey.

Diversity. A key to having healthy, diverse wildlife populations is to provide a diversity of habitat. Animals need food throughout the year, cover, water, and a place to raise their young. It is difficult to provide these if only a single type of timber is present.

Diversity can be developed through thinning, burning, and creating openings. Most game species range over wide areas, and few will reside entirely on a single property. The goal of the wildlife manager should be to provide habitat requirements not found on adjoining properties, or to provide them in better quality and quantity.

Pine stands. If properly managed, pine stands can provide excellent wildlife habitat. Pines should be regularly thinned to remove small and weak trees giving the better trees room for healthy growth.

Thinning opens up the stand to allow light to reach the forest floor so that an understory may develop. Regular controlled burnings are necessary for encouraging plants which is beneficial to wildlife to become established in the understory.

To increase diversity, one-third of pine areas should be burned each year, so that each area is burned once every three years. When done properly the goals of the burn can be accomplished without damaging valuable trees.

Hardwood stands. Large hardwoods provide the single most important element of wildlife habitat, and they are the hardest to provide if they are not already present. Trees such as oaks, hickories, and dogwoods are most important, but most species provide some benefit for wildlife.

In addition, strips of hardwoods along streams and drains provide travel corridors to allow wildlife to move onto and through a property. Good hardwood stands should be protected from disturbances, especially from fire.

Wildlife fields. Wildlife openings can increase diversity by providing vegetation that will not grow in the shade of the forest. Landowners should recognize that openings are more valuable for providing good hunting rather than to build up populations.

Where practical, openings should be established where two or more types of timber, such as bottomland hardwoods and planted pines, come together. They should be at least two to three acres so that they will not be shaded out by nearby trees. A great variety of wildlife food crops can attract wildlife.

Assistance available. Landowners interested in actively managing their woodlands for timber and wildlife should utilize the professional assistance available from the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Assistance can also be obtained from professional consulting foresters. For information and assistance contact your local Georgia Forestry Commission Office at 770-227-5522 or 770-358-1459.

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