Yarnell Forestry Consulting
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forest management - photographs and explanations

Forest Stand Improvement
What is forest stand improvement?
  • Forest stand improvement is also known as timber stand improvement and commonly abbreviated FSI or TSI.
  • FSI is a forest management practice where non-merchantable trees are cut or killed to thin a wooded stand.
  • Individual trees are selected for removal or retention based on their merits (species, form, size, etc.) and their spacing.​​
What can forest stand improvement do for my woods?
  • ​WILDLIFE FOOD AND COVER - Light to the forest floor encourages the growth of plants that provide browse for deer and concealment for turkeys.
  • HEALTHY WOODS - A tree’s ability to resist pests and drought is closely related to how much light is received. Thinning provides light to those residual trees. 
  • MAST PRODUCTION - Studies have shown that oak trees may produce up to 7 times more acorns after FSI.
  • TIMBER PRODUCTIVITY - Trees grow faster with less competition from other trees.
  • TIMBER QUALITY - The best trees are retained, and they have room to grow.
  • FUTURE CANOPY - The next generation of trees can sprout up due to increased light to the ground.
How do I get started?
  • A forest management plan is the best place to begin. A professional forester evaluates your woods and prescribes target thinning levels and focus areas.
    • There may be cost-share funding available to help cover the cost of the plan.
    • Typically cost-share funding for FSI is only available after a forest management plan is in place.
  • After the forest management plan is in place, a few different thinning methods may be used.
    • ​Cut down smaller trees (<9 inches diameter), stumps may be treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting
    • Girdle larger trees and leave them standing - shallow chainsaw cut all the way around the tree, with or without herbicide
      • ​Three of the larger trees in the "after" picture above were double-girdled and left standing. Zoom in to see details.
    • Hack and squirt - hatchet cuts in tree stem are sprayed with herbicide, typically smaller trees
    • Basal bark spray - low-pressure, high-volume herbicide application for small trees
What forest stand improvement is NOT
  • Not a commercial timber harvest
  • Not just cutting the small trees or brush
  • Not creating group openings in the woods like the temporary forest openings practice

Woodland Restoration
What is a woodland?
  • Tree canopy is more open to let light to the ground - typically 50-75% tree coverage
  • Diverse ground vegetation consists of native grasses and forbs
  • Canopy trees are relatively fire tolerant
What are the benefits of restoring woodlands?
  • WILDLIFE FOOD - Fire removes leaf litter and light from open canopy encourages desirable native ground plants
  • HABITAT DIVERSITY - Many woodlands have been lost across the U.S., restoring woodlands can provide quality habitat for a variety of species
  • AESTHETICS - Many people agree that the end result is pleasing to the eye, with a wide variety of wildflowers and less woody brush to walk through
How to get started​
  • A forest management plan is the best place to begin. Cost share opportunities may be available.
  • Thinning from below - removes mostly smaller trees and those with lower fire tolerance - thins canopy
  • Prescribed burning removes leaf litter, knocks back woody brush, and stimulates growth of native forbs and grasses
  • Periodic burning will be required to maintain this structure and appearance

Glade Restoration
What is a glade?
  • Unique ecosystem with few or no trees
  • Diverse ground plants - 100 or more species of grasses, forbs, and wildflowers
  • Most often located on dry south or west slopes with thin soils and exposed boulders or ledge rocks​
  • As fire has been suppressed here, cedars and other trees have taken over many glades
Benefits to your land
  • BIODIVERSITY - habitat for many uncommon species of plants, lizards, snakes, birds, and other wildlife
  • AESTHETICS - many native wildflowers with bright blooms through spring and summer
  • POLLINATOR HABITAT - pollinators are attracted to the many wildflowers present in glades
How to get started
  • A forest management plan is the best place to begin. Cost share opportunities may be available.
  • After the forest management plan is in place, glade restoration can begin.
    • All cedar trees and most other trees should be removed.
    • Prescribed burning can then be used to further restore glade conditions.
    • Periodic burning can then maintain glade conditions.
More photos and explanations are coming soon!

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