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A ROLE FOR THE FOREST SERVICE?

Silviculture

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Introduction

Objective: To consider timber inventory, silvicultural, and timber harvest techniques in Central and Southern Indiana.

Site:•Morgan-Monroe State Forest (MMSF) •39º 20’ 05” N, 86º25’07” W

Management History:•A 30 acre stand at MMSF was harvested in 1981•Indiana DNR Division of Forestry used the timber cruise method•~30% of the total commercial volume was harvested

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1981 Harvest Figures

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Wood Uses

Wenger K.F. (1994)

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Tree Species

Commercial Uses Germination & growth Wildlife Benefit

Black Oak

•Sold as Red Oak•Beautiful fall foliage•Not used in landscaping•Red Oak: 36.6% of available hardwood

•Spring•dbh grows faster than white and chestnut oak•Least shade tolerant of oaks

•Consistent seed producer

White Oak

•Impervious of liquid – Oak Barrel•Furniture•15.1% of available hardwood

•Fall•Less growth than Black and Chestnut•Climax Oak

•Large, infrequent nut crop

Chestnut Oak

•Sold as White Oak•Has a well formed bole

•Fall•Likes 2-3 cm. of leaf litter•Climax Oak in dry upland regions

•Sweet nut, small infrequent crop

Comparison of Oaks for Seed Trees

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Burns, R.M., and B.H. Honkala (1990). Silvics of North America. Volume 2: Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Washington, D.C. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.htm

Hicks, J., R. R. (1998). Management of Central Hardwoods. Ecology and Management of Central Hardwood Forests. New York, John Wiley & Sons.

Marshall, V. G. (2000). "Impacts of forest harvesting on biological processes in northern forest soils." Forest Ecology and Management 133: 43-60.

Wenger, K. F. (1984). Forestry Handbook 2nd ed. K. F. Wenger. New York, John Wiley & Sons.