At Your Service
by Rick A. Lucas
Conservation District Forester

PRIVATE LANDS NEED A HIGHER MANAGEMENT PRIORITY

Conservation District Forester Forests area major feature of our Michigan landscape. The fact is, only four other states have greater acreages in forest cover than Michigan. They are: Georgia, Oregon, Alabama and North Carolina. All totaled, approximately 19 million acres of forestland exist in Michigan covering a little more than half of the state. These forests are located primarily in the northern 2/3 of the state. The largest forest ownership category in Michigan is held by more than 320,000 private individuals. More recently these owners have been referred to as family owned forests. Collectively these people control nearly 53% or about 8.5 million acres of the state's forest land. These non-public lands provide a large range of environmental and economic benefits to the state of Michigan. These owners hold large acreages of high quality timber. They currently contribute more than half of the annual timber supply needs. In addition, their lands provide us with numerous recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking just to name a few. Their contribution to our tourism industry is difficult to quantify yet it's significant. They contribute to cleaning our air and water; and they play a tremendous role in the overall welfare of all of our wildlife species.

The movement toward reliance on private lands in meeting the needs of society has never been greater and this trend shows no signs of reversing. As more and more restrictions are placed on how we are to use and manage our public land resources, the onerous will be placed on the family owned forest to meet society's needs.

Over the years, many studies and surveys have been conducted on this ownership category. One of the underlying focuses of these studies was to learn more about these individuals. How did they acquire their land? Do they live on the land? How much land do they own? What is the single most important reason they own their land? What motivates them to be active stewards? Where do they get information to guide their decision making for the land? These are among a few of the many inquiries made as a part of these studies.

Some of the findings weren't surprising, some were. Among the findings that raise concern is the fact that only a small percentage (about 20%) of private forest landowners received any professional assistance, whether governmental or from the private sector prior to engaging in activities such as harvesting. What this likely means is that a lot of private landowners are making important decisions for their forests without being fully aware of the impacts of their decisions. Furthermore, it's likely any discussion regarding viable options for management were missing from the equation.

Another finding showed that only about 5% of current forest owners have a purposeful, written plan in place that sets out how they want their forests to be managed. The operative word here is managed verses being cut. Although many private forest owners initially express little interest in cutting trees on their land, ultimately most do. How, when and where they have it done and how much they are willing to reinvest in stewardship of their land is almost always a function of whether they've planned ahead. The most satisfied landowners tend to be those who've planned ahead and the inverse is the least satisfied tend to be those who didn't. Additional studies confirm the number of private land owners to be on a steady in- crease. It may sound trite, but we're not making anymore land. More owners equates to smaller parcels. The importance of this fact is, as the average parcel size declines, owners are less likely to actively manage their forests for sustainable timber and non- timber benefits. Small forest parcels produce less timber, which can force heavier cutting in the short-term to meet landowner financial needs.

As is the case with so many things in life, timing is everything. Perhaps now is the time to place a higher priority on the management of our private land forests before it is too late. Private lands have been labeled as being the least managed and most under utilized ownership category in the state. It is not likely this trend will reverse itself as long as they continue to be the most underserved ownership category in the state.

Providing family forest owners with opportunities for education and assistance may offer the best prospects for future generations. The ultimate goal for any assistance program should be to help the family forest owner to make the same management decisions they would make if he or she had a technical background in natural resource management.

The one common denominator in every natural resource issue or concern across all ownerships is the human factor. Knowledgeable landowners and informed citizens, those who use natural resource professionals when making decisions and gathering facts, tend to make decisions more consistent with principles of sustainable resource management.

The unique aspects and contributions of our family owned forests must not continue to be overlooked. Michigan is blessed with a wealth of natural resources found on all ownerships lending to the quality of life of its citizens. By coming together and recognizing all the land as one provides us with the greatest gift to the future for conservation on the land.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
By Bill Cook MSU Extension Service Forester

TREES AND DROUGHT

Drought affects trees in a variety of ways depending on many conditions. Water stress may kill a tree or, more commonly, predispose it to a wide variety of ailments. Some of these ailments may not become visible for several years.

Root systems draw water from the soil. That water moves throughout the tree to maintain chemical reactions in the living cells. As trees respire, water is expelled and "leaks out" through small pores in the leaves, twigs, branches, and trunk.

During dry periods, the larger humidity difference inside and outside the tree causes increased water loss. Higher temperatures accelerate cell metabolism, which requires additional amounts of water. The response to water stress involves closing the many small pores and drawing more water from the soil.

As soil moisture becomes increasingly low, maintaining an adequate water balance in living tissues becomes more difficult. Sandy or coarse soils dry out quicker. Loamy soils hold available water best. Heavy soils hold more water longer, but much of it becomes unavailable to small tree roots due to the physical chemistry of water and very tiny soil particles.

The inability of a tree to maintain an adequate water balance, for whatever set of reasons, is called water stress. A moderate amount of stress may slow growth or cause premature autumn color change. More stress might first result in death of leaf tissue. Browning leaf edges due to water stress is called leaf scorch. Conifers may drop older, less efficient needles. Excessive water stress can kill trees, especially those of certain species and very young trees that have less developed root systems. This year's plantings and transplants will likely suffer high mortality rates unless they have been watered.

After a drought breaks, the impacts are not over. More commonly, the weakened condition allows a number of pests and pathogens to more successfully attack tree tissues. Trees whose leaves are eaten by gypsy moths or budworms, in combination with a drought, are at higher risk of damage or death. Water stressed pines attract bark beetles, which can kill trees, especially red pine. Mature oaks in sandy soils may die from two-lined chestnut borer attacks over several growing seasons.

The introduction of fungal pathogens during these weak periods can have a longer lasting impact. For example, an Armillaria fungus might enter water stressed roots. Over several years, that fungus might grow and eventually kill the tree. On the other hand, with good growing conditions the natural defenses of the tree might defeat the fungus. Some tree species are better at this than others.

Droughts make trees more susceptible to cold winter weather. By adding a light application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, a tree will be better "winterized". Be careful to not add nitrogen.

The drought impact on trees can be very localized. Sometimes, a single tree within a group will die, clearly seen in plantations. Death might be in the year of the drought or it might be a couple years later. Balsam fir commonly displays this behavior.

Soil structure can be highly variable resulting in other local impacts. A tree growing above a large boulder or over a hard pan might die, while its neighbors may recover. Small clay pockets, fissures in bedrock, microtopography, and sandy pockets contribute to local variability that can spell survival or death for a water stressed tree. In 2004, much of the Upper Peninsula experienced a cool, wet summer. Higher water saturation levels in the soil forced tree roots to grow closer to the surface in order to obtain enough oxygen, and sometimes killed roots further down. That new root growth near the surface became more vulnerable to soils dried out by this year's drought. Many tamaracks and other shallow-rooted tree species have died because of this extreme wet-dry cycle.

Competition for scarce soil water becomes intense during dry periods. Most trees simply cannot out-compete grasses and herbs for water. We normally think of competition for light, but the underground battle for water and nutrients can be more important to the long term survival of trees. Any time drought is combined with other health issues, trees are at higher risk of damage and death. Drought can tip the scales for trees simultaneously facing an insect attack, a disease, or damage from home construction, laid cable, paving, lawn mowing, etc. Conversely, trees weakened by drought may fall victim to opportunistic insects and diseases several years ahead. Drought impacts are usually longer term affairs, in addition to current year effects. Doubtless, we will see the complex effects of the drought of 2005 for several years to come.

Bill Cook Forester & Biologist
MSU Extension, Upper Peninsula 6005 J Road
Escanaba, MI 49829
906-786-1575, voice x8226
906-786-9370, fax
Email: cookwi@msu.edu

THE HOMEOWNER'S ROLE IN FOREST FIRE PROTECTION

Recent news about the devastating brush and grass fires in Texas and Oklahoma bring to mind the fact that protecting your property and yourselves against such catastrophic fires is even more vital here in Michigan, where a recovering forest has left a ground fuel build up that is as much a danger today as it was in the historic post logging period when buildups of logging debris and slash made the northern regions of Michigan prone to sweeping wildfires and monumental losses of property and life.

By the 1920-30's fire control was finally achieved and the end of the large inferno wildfires was gained - but not totally eliminated. Major wildfires have impacted on many areas in recent years - Seney in the UP, the Fletcher Burn west of Grayling, the County Line Fire near Baldwin, and the Stephan Bridge Fire in Crawford County to name a few.

Each spring, as the snow cover leaves, the ground is exposed with its dry potentially explosive ground litter of dry leaves, grasses and woody debris, and we are again at risk for wildfire.

Adding to the risk is that of URBAN INTERFACE - the building within the forest of new homes and structures, many of which are in harm's way in the case of wildfire unless reasonable and basic fire protection around these properties is taken.

LANDOWNERS HAVE KEY ROLE IN FIRE PREVENTION

The landowner has the most to lose - and the most responsibility in reducing the risks.

As a resident in a rural or forest area, you play a key role in wildfire protection. Perhaps you are already a member of a group organized to protect yourselves from fire. Cooperative groups have been formed after almost every large fire in North America, to develop protection strategies to prevent future fires and the related losses.

YOU SHARE RESPONSIBILITY

You are ultimately responsible for protecting your buildings and property. If you already live in, or are planning to build in rural forest areas, you should take fire into account. It isn't difficult. Common sense will help you plan precautions.

THE BASIC STEPS TO WILDFIRE PROTECTION

Firewise Landscaping: Firewise landscaping means changing, reducing, or eliminating the amount or type of fuel near your building by creating a fuel break. The fuel break should be around all building, and be at least 30 feet (9 m) wide, with more width on the downhill side of a slope.

Clear a 3 foot (1 m) strip around the outside of each building, right down to sand or gravel (mineral soil). This cuts down on the threat of a surface fire burning across the strip and reaching the building. This strip is the first section of your fuel break.

Trees in the 30 foot (9 m) fuel break should have all branches removed up to a height of 6 to 10 feet (1 to 3 m). Space the trees so that the edges of the crowns are at least 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 m) apart.

MAINTAIN A FIRE BREAK

Keep the fuel break clear of everything that could burn. Remove small trees, household debris, ground fuel, and shrubs. Green lawn or rock gardens make good fuel breaks Grass must be kept watered and cut, and dead grass removed.

Stone, brick, or masonry walls, free of vegetation, are good fire barriers. They can be located inside or outside of the fuel break area.

Beyond the 30 foot (9 m) fuel break area, prune branches away from power lines and outbuildings. (Call Power Company in the case of power lines and let them do the actual removal.)

Remove ladder fuels by cutting lower branches and any dead branches. Remove small shrubs, scrub growth, ground litter, dead trees, and older trees.

PLANT FIRE-RESISTANT PLANTS

Many common plants naturally resist fire and can keep fire from spreading. Generally, well-watered green plants burn slowly. Select plants that have little oil content, or that don't produce much litter, or have leaves that stay moist - Bearberry (Cotoneaster), Vinca minor, Wintergreen. Proper maintenance of your structure and the surrounding grounds helps considerably in protecting your home from wildfire. The guidelines presented here apply at any stage of construction or occupation of the site.

USE FIRE SAFE STORAGE Store items that could easily catch fire at least 30 feet (9m) away from your home. They should be outside your 30 foot (9m) fuel break. These items include: Fuel, Fire wood, Oil and Propane tanks, Brush and Slash, Gasoline, Paint and Solvents.

Get rid of brush and slash by chipping or composting.

These basic measures can help make your forest dwelling safer from the damages of wildfire. In the end it is up to you to take protective measures to keep your property safe.