Managing Small Woodlots by Dan Goerlich Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Managing Small WoodlotsManaging Small Woodlots

by

Dan Goerlich

Virginia Cooperative Extension

In the In the Southern Southern Region…Region… 214 million acres of 214 million acres of

forestlandforestland

– 69% forestland owned by 69% forestland owned by private forest landownersprivate forest landowners

– 2/3 of private forest 2/3 of private forest landowners own tracts < landowners own tracts < 10 acres10 acres

With Regard to Virginia…With Regard to Virginia…

15.4 million acres forest 15.4 million acres forest land (61% total area)land (61% total area)

78% owned by PFLs78% owned by PFLs 73% own < 10 acres, 73% own < 10 acres,

controlling 5% of the controlling 5% of the acreageacreage

-

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

tho

usa

nd

acr

es

0-10 11-50 51-100 101-200 201-500 501+

tract size, acres

VA Forested Tract Size, 1992VA Forested Tract Size, 1992(from Scrivani, VDOF - 2000)(from Scrivani, VDOF - 2000)

In terms of numbers, 90% of the parcels are less than 50 acres.

The mean is 29 acres.

695 acres

Contiguous Forest Tract

(Louisa Co, VA)

10 acres 10 acres average;average;0.1 to 90 0.1 to 90 acac

65 65 Different Different Ownership Ownership ParcelsParcels

Our Forest Landowners Our Forest Landowners are…are…

Important to the economyImportant to the economy Forest industry #1 employer; #2 wagesForest industry #1 employer; #2 wages 30 billion dollars annually to VA economy (1993)30 billion dollars annually to VA economy (1993) County level, forest products (timber) often most County level, forest products (timber) often most

economically important cropeconomically important crop Recreation, fishing, huntingRecreation, fishing, hunting Special (non-timber) forest productsSpecial (non-timber) forest products

Important to the environmentImportant to the environment Watershed protectionWatershed protection Wildlife and plant habitat – diversity issuesWildlife and plant habitat – diversity issues Air and aesthetic qualityAir and aesthetic quality

Forest TrendsForest Trends

private forest landowner numbersprivate forest landowner numbers

ownership tract acreageownership tract acreage

short tenure of ownershipshort tenure of ownership

different owner’s (land ethic) ?different owner’s (land ethic) ?

Reasons for Owning LandReasons for Owning Land

On a scale of -3 to 3, where -3 is not important, 0 is neutral, and +3 is very important.

2.3 Having privacy 2.1 Enjoying the scenery 2.0 Seeing wildlife 1.9 Walking on their land 1.8 Living in a healthy place 1.6 Escaping the “rat race” of civilization 1.5 Living simply 1.4 Watching things grow 1.4 Building one’s own house 1.2 Preserving nature -1.2 Forest help pay for special expenses like college education -1.6 Forest as a supplemental source of income -1.7 Forest as a major source of income

From (Hull, Robertson, and Buyoff 2004)

Disconnect With Small Disconnect With Small LandownersLandowners

Most forest stewardship programs directed Most forest stewardship programs directed to owners with more than 10 acresto owners with more than 10 acres

Urban forestry programs address community Urban forestry programs address community forestsforests

No specific program for those with 1-10 acre No specific program for those with 1-10 acre forest landowners that make up the majority forest landowners that make up the majority (two-third’s)(two-third’s)

There are few service providers at present to There are few service providers at present to work with this audiencework with this audience

Managing Small Managing Small WoodlotsWoodlots

Two day event…Two day event… Full day general session (indoor)Full day general session (indoor) Evening program for overnight guestsEvening program for overnight guests Half day of concurrent sessions (indoor Half day of concurrent sessions (indoor

and outdoor)and outdoor) Half day general session (outdoor)Half day general session (outdoor) Rustic settingRustic setting $25.00 registration fee (lodging add $25.00 registration fee (lodging add

$26.00)$26.00) 19 instructors and volunteers from 8 19 instructors and volunteers from 8

agencies / departmentsagencies / departments 84 participants (73 landowners, 9 84 participants (73 landowners, 9

foresters, 2 loggers)foresters, 2 loggers)

EvaluationEvaluation

Program received glowing remarks.Program received glowing remarks. Participants reported increased knowledge Participants reported increased knowledge

levels ranging from 33% to 186% for various levels ranging from 33% to 186% for various topics. topics.

Respondents rated the overall program Respondents rated the overall program organization and format as 4.5 on a 5.0 scale.organization and format as 4.5 on a 5.0 scale.

100% indicated that the event would help 100% indicated that the event would help them accomplish their management them accomplish their management objectives more effectively. objectives more effectively.

Six Month Follow-up Six Month Follow-up EvaluationEvaluation

In general: In general:

I I havehave implementedimplemented a management practice a management practice that I learned at the workshopthat I learned at the workshop

I haven’t had time yet, but I I haven’t had time yet, but I plan to plan to implementimplement a management practice that I a management practice that I learned at the workshoplearned at the workshop

I sought professional assistance to achieve a I sought professional assistance to achieve a management objectivemanagement objective

I did not make any changesI did not make any changes

More specifically…general More specifically…general sessionsession

I prioritized my objectivesI prioritized my objectives I considered how my efforts to attract I considered how my efforts to attract

wildlife might impact me (and others)wildlife might impact me (and others) I engaged in landscaping to increase I engaged in landscaping to increase

privacy and sceneryprivacy and scenery I attempted some low impact loggingI attempted some low impact logging I sought information on cost-share I sought information on cost-share

programsprograms

More specifically….block More specifically….block 11 I created backyard habitatI created backyard habitat

I identified and controlled an invasive I identified and controlled an invasive exotic speciesexotic species

I took steps to locate, build, and/or I took steps to locate, build, and/or manage a pondmanage a pond

More specifically…block 2More specifically…block 2

I checked out the Virginia Fish & I checked out the Virginia Fish & Wildlife Information Service on-lineWildlife Information Service on-line

I was able to identify trees that I I was able to identify trees that I couldn’t beforecouldn’t before

I managed a stream or spring on my I managed a stream or spring on my propertyproperty

More specifically…block 3More specifically…block 3

I planted deer resistant plantsI planted deer resistant plants

I used crop-tree management and/or I used crop-tree management and/or thinning to grow trees larger, fasterthinning to grow trees larger, faster

I took steps to manage or improve a I took steps to manage or improve a wetland wetland

More specifically…field More specifically…field sessionsession I felled a tree using the open-face bore cut I felled a tree using the open-face bore cut

techniquetechnique

I tried my hand at making charcoalI tried my hand at making charcoal

I purchased a portable sawmill--or hired a I purchased a portable sawmill--or hired a small sawmill operator--to turn my logs into small sawmill operator--to turn my logs into boardsboards

other _____________________________other _____________________________

Six Month Follow-up Six Month Follow-up ResultsResults

Action % ofRespondents

• I have implemented a management practice that I learned at the workshop

37%

• I haven’t had time yet, but I plan to implement a management practice that I learned at the workshop

37%

• I sought professional assistance to achieve a management objective

27%

• I did not make any changes 5%

Action % of Respondents

I considered how my efforts to attract wildlife might impact me ( and others) 59%

I prioritized my objectives 46%

I was able to identify trees that I couldn’t before 37%

I identified and controlled an invasive exotic species 34%

I created a backyard habitat 27%

I managed a stream or spring on my property 24%

I engaged in landscaping to increase privacy and scenery 24%

I took steps to locate, build, and/or manage a pond 24%

I used crop-tree management and/or thinning to grow trees larger, faster 24%

I felled a tree using the open-face bore cut technique 22%

Other (sharing knowledge with others, looked for property to purchase, stopped feeding wildlife) 20%

I planted deer resistant plants 17%

I sought information on cost-share programs 15%

I checked out the Virginia Fish & Wildlife Information Service on-line 15%

I took steps to manage or improve a wetland 12%

I purchased a portable sawmill or hired a small sawmill operator to turn my logs into boards 12%

I attempted some low impact logging 7%

I tried my hand at making charcoal 0%

Reasons for Owning LandReasons for Owning Land

On a scale of -3 to 3, where -3 is not important, 0 is neutral, and +3 is very important.

2.3 Having privacy 2.1 Enjoying the scenery 2.0 Seeing wildlife 1.9 Walking on their land 1.8 Living in a healthy place 1.6 Escaping the “rat race” of civilization 1.5 Living simply 1.4 Watching things grow 1.4 Building one’s own house 1.2 Preserving nature -1.2 Forest help pay for special expenses like college education -1.6 Forest as a supplemental source of income -1.7 Forest as a major source of income

From (Hull, Robertson, and Buyoff 2004)

New Tools are AvailableNew Tools are Available

The Woods in Your Backyard The Woods in Your Backyard www.nraes.orgwww.nraes.org

Woodscaping Your WoodlandsWoodscaping Your Woodlands, North , North Carolina State University Pub AG584Carolina State University Pub AG584

USDA Forest Service Program “Changing USDA Forest Service Program “Changing Roles: WUI Professional Development Roles: WUI Professional Development Program” www.interfacesouth.orgProgram” www.interfacesouth.org

ContactContact

Dan GoerlichDan Goerlich

Virginia Cooperative ExtensionVirginia Cooperative Extension

150B Slayton Ave., Suite 112D150B Slayton Ave., Suite 112D

Danville, VA 24540Danville, VA 24540

Phone (office): 434-766-6761Phone (office): 434-766-6761

Phone (cell): 434-579-5727Phone (cell): 434-579-5727

e-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]