IAFNR Module 4 Natural Resources Forestry IAFNR Module 4 Natural Resources

Our Forests What is a Forest? Historic thoughts of forests Community of associated trees, shrubs, other plants, and animals that interact and play a part in the ecosystem Historic thoughts of forests Enemy Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement Trees were a barrier for expansion and survival and had to be cleared Friend Valuable products to build wood homes and furniture Provided summer cooling (shade), and heat for winter (fuel) European shipping industry depended on America’s Forests

Today’s Forests How much is there? Forest Regions 33% of total US Land Area is covered by forests 1/3 of US forest and woodland is considered non-commercial forestland Not suitable for tree production (Ex: swamps, mountainous land, parks, and preservation areas) Other 2/3 are commercial forests Capable of producing useful forest, but not all being used for this purpose Forest Regions In US, there are 860 species of trees Six major forest regions

West Coast Forests Western Forests Central Hardwoods Tropical Forests Pacific coast from central California to Canada Major Species: Douglas Fir, coast redwood, Western red cedar, Sitka spruce, Sugar pine Most lumber, softwood, polywood comes from this region Mountainous regions from SW Texas to Wyoming Major Species: Ponderosa pine, Idaho White pine, Sugar Pine, White fir, Western larch Central Hardwoods Tropical Forests From New York State to N. Georgia to W. Texas, to N Minnesota Major Species: Shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, Eastern White Pine, Red Cedar, Birch, White Oak, Hickory, Elm, White Ash, Red Maple Southern Tips of Florida and Texas Major Species: Mahogany, Mangrove, Bay Tree Northern Forests Southern Forests Maine south along the mountains to Georgia, also northern Michigan and Minnesota Major Species: Many Pines, Spruces, and Oaks, White Cedar, Black Cherry, Walnut, and Birches Coast of Virginia to Eastern Texas and Missouri Major Species: Lobolly pine, Longleaf pine, Shortleaf pine, Slash pine, Bald Cypress, Oaks, Willow, Cottonwood

Forest Regions Key West Coast Forests Western Forests Central Hardwoods Tropical Forests Northern Forests Southern Forests

Morgan-Monroe State Forest Indiana’s Forestland Indiana has 4.7 million acres of forestland 95% of Indiana’s Forests are classified as hardwood forest types Oak, Hickory, Elm, Ash, Cottonwood Rankings 9th nationally in total lumber production 3rd in hardwood lumber production http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/4816.htm

Forest Products and Benefits Wood Different grades of lumber Shop and Factory grade: Furniture, barrels, cabinets, etc. Structural grade: Joists, planks, laminated wood Yard wood grade: Boards and finish lumber Converted Wood Products like paper, charcoal, sponges, artificial hair, and imitation vanilla Almost impossible to spend a day and not work with a wood product Benefits Climate Moderation Temperature can be almost 8 degrees cooler in a forest Provides shade in sun and break from harsh winds Water and Soil Conservation Forests are most effective vegetative cover for soil and water control Wildlife Habitats and Recreation

Forest Management Measurements Cuttings Special units of measure in forest management Monitoring Tree diameters, Heights, and Timber Volume Cuttings Intermediate Cuttings Harvests taken from trees before planned maturity Most likely for tree improvement, sanitation, or salvage Harvest Cuttings Cuttings for production Whole or partial removal of trees for production and seeding

Forest Management Reproducing Forests Seeding Cuttings Seedlings Natural Allow trees to reseed themselves in area naturally Direct Apply tree seeds to the desired area by hand, spreaders, or planes and helicopters Cuttings Replanting cuttings of certain tree species that grow readily by this method Seedlings Planting nursery produced seedlings Quickest method, but also requires the most labor

Forest Enemies Our Forests are fighting to grow and stay alive!! Image retrieved from: http://www.fs.fed.us/projects/hfi/field-guide/web/page09.php

Forest Enemies Insects Disease Insects have been known to kill more trees than any other forest enemy Common Insect Enemies Bark Borers Defoliators Wood Borers (Termites) Tip Feeders Sap Suckers Root Feeders Forest Pathology is the study of tree diseases Non-infectious diseases Caused by environmental problems Infectious diseases Caused by parasites Fungus Caused Disease Spores spread disease through large areas Stem and Root diseases cause the most damage

Forest Enemies Wildlife Environment Any animal living in the forest gets its food from the forest Wildlife population determines the damage on the forest When population is great not only does the forest suffer, but so do animals Can range from minor to extreme Extreme Example A whole forest is wiped out from a tornado Minor Example Tree limbs have broken off from ice storm effects Good Forest management is the only way to minimize this kind of damage

FIRE!! A Forest’s greatest enemy! Image retrieved from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2013/10/17/report-western-wildfires-growing-more-intense-insurers-deeply-concerned/

As a Management Tool Prescribed Fire How does it work? Planned fire used as a part of forest management plan Produces many benefits for the forest, wildlife, and people Reduces wildfire hazard Removes undesirable trees Controls forest diseases How does it work? Trained foresters start and control these fires Small areas at a time Only performed in specific humidity and temperature levels Image retrieved from: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fsm9_029220

Wildfires Causes Types of wildfires Prevention The Fire Triangle Image retrieved from: http://www.elitefire.co.uk/news/basics-fire-triangle/ Causes The Fire Triangle Types of wildfires Ground Fire Common in wet, bog type areas Surface Fire Most common type of fire Crown Fire Most violent and dangerous Prevention Smokey Bear Campaign Image retrieved from: http://www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot/

2013 Colorado Wildfires https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFcZ_RsZtgE

References Camp, W., & Heath-Camp, B. (2009) Managing our Natural Resources. New York: Delmar. 7 News– Denver Channel. (June 12, 2013). Black Forest Fire burns 7500-8000 acres. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFcZ_RsZtgE