Range Management

Managing timberland for livestock range and timber production.

Range quality is very important to landowners who want to manage their property for cattle as well as timber production. One approach is to designate part of the property as timberland and part as cattle range, or improved pasture. Another approach is to grow trees on all or most of the property, but in a way in which quality range is being provided also. Thinning, combined with prescribed burning, can be a very important part of this type of management. By opening the crown canopy, light is allowed to hit the forest floor encouraging the growth of grasses and herbaceous weeds. Prescribed burning removes the older vegetation, temporarily increases the nutrient levels in the soil, and encourages new succulent growth which is higher in protein. A stand can be thinned multiple times and burned every one to three years until it is finally cut and replanted.

Wildlife Habitat Management

So you want timber and wildlife?

Managing a property for wildlife habitat may be very similar to managing for cattle range, depending on the type of wildlife that is desired. Most timberland owners are primarily interested in game species such as deer and turkey. Often times landowners concentrate on their artificial feeding program instead of on proper habitat management. Having the correct habitat for the desired species is much more important that planting a few small patches of clover or rye grass. Thinning can greatly increase the volume and nutrition level of browse by allowing light to penetrate the crown canopy. Prescribed burning, in conjunction with thinning, can also greatly increase the quality and nutrition level of browse the same way it increases the range quality for cattle.