CFA has now developed a Tree Marking Program. This program was developed in response to the current and prospective forest management occurring in the Catskill Region on private land. Unfortunately in most cases, private landowners resort to a practice called high-grading. High-grading is a practice where the best quality and economically valuable trees are selectively chosen and harvested, while the poorest quality trees are left behind. As a result, the condition of the forest is left worse than before since these poor quality trees then occupy the growing space and become the future forest. High-grading is most likely to occur on parcels where short-term economic gain is needed. In many cases a professional Forester is not involved as well. Landowners may be more susceptible to high-grading their forest due to (1) High property taxes; (2) Lack of a Forester and/or Forest Management Plan; (3) Lack of an adequate timber contract; & (4) Lack of impartial and good forest management advice. High-grading often goes unnoticed and is sometimes referred to as the green lie. Though we may have more forest in New York State than 100 years ago, the quality of our forest has diminished by this practice and other biological circumstances such as over-browsing from white-tailed deer.
In addition to high-grading, forest management in the Catskills has other challenges as well. At a workshop held at the Catskill Center for Conservation & Development on June 15th, 2008 on Land Use Change in the Catskills, Forest and Natural Resources Management Professor, Dr. Rene Germain specifically addressed his findings about forest management on private land in the Catskill Region. Many of his findings were what CFA had expected, while others were unexpected. Compared to other landowners in the northeast, Catskill landowners are more educated, have a higher income and are slightly younger. In fact, 44% have a Bachelor’s Degree and 41% have a Master’s Degree. 66% of surveyed landowners were 55 years or older with average incomes of over $55,000. The average parcel size in the Catskills is less than 17 acres.
Dr. Germain and his team sent out questionnaires to landowners in order to find out their level of awareness in forest management. Afterwards, they visited the forest of the surveyed landowners to see if there was any kind of correlation between awareness and on-the-ground forest management. What they found was surprising. There was none. This includes landowners who have forest management plans as well! Forest management conditions become worse as parcels decrease in size since access and management feasibility are reduced. Parcels that are subdivided have a considerably better chance of being developed especially when no income can be realized from one’s forest. These parcels are also managed far less since length of ownership decreases below 17 years and sustainable forest management can demand decades of time and money.
As you may think, this was deeply troubling to a non-profit forestry education organization such as the Catskill Forest Association. As parcelization increases, more forestland is taken out of forest management. Biodiversity and forest health decrease since more landowners are left “doing nothing” with their forest. Passive management can sometimes help your forest if you are managing only for one age and size class, and a few tree species that are able to regenerate in the shade.
From our observations in working with landowners, smaller landowners are less willing to go through the trouble of hiring a Forester and writing a Forest Management Plan. In addition, New York State offers tax incentives for landowners who own at least 50 forested acres and are willing to manage only for timber. Remember, most landowners own less than 17 acres. Many of these landowners are not interested in timber management, but instead view wildlife, water quality, recreation, maple sugaring and forest health as more important goals. How can CFA reach out to these landowners who make up the majority of our forests?
CFA’s new Tree Marking program is easy to implement. It’s easy to get us on the phone and to come over, take a look at your property, assess your forest and develop specific forest management goals and objectives. From this initial On-Site Visit, trees are marked accordingly. Trees that are marked are considered crop trees. Trees that are not marked and are competing with marked trees should be girdled, removed for firewood or left on the ground. Leaving woody material on the ground provides habitat for fungus such as mychorrizae that help tree roots fix nitrogen. Woody debris also protects young tree seedlings from deer browsing and cover for many species of wildlife. Despite aesthetic complaints, leaving a mess often leaves more for wildlife.
The crop tree you release will almost always result in a healthier tree and forest since photosynthesis and carbohydrate production is enhanced. The immune system of the tree is invigorated and as a result is less susceptible to insects and disease. Landowner benefits are also realized earlier and more often. A maple producer who releases their sugar maple crop trees will have higher sugar contents. A wildlife manager who releases apple, black cherry, and shagbark hickory will have higher yields of fruit and nuts and more forage for wildlife. In addition, sunlight penetrating into the understory will provide space for herbaceous growth for wildlife species seeking food and cover. Biodiversity is increased by enhancing size, age, and species composition. Crop Tree Management is very similar to gardening, but demands more patience. At first, the aesthetic impacts may seem a burden, but the potential benefits realized can far outweigh any costs. To learn more about tree marking contact Catskill Forest Association (CFA). www.catskillforest.org
