Kisatchie National Forest

 

Silviculture and Timber

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Silviculture

 

     The science of how trees grow (silvics of tree species) is used to tend our forest to provide multiple needs. Wildlife and threatened and endangered species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, depend on the adequacy of their habitat. A habitat that can be maintained or altered through silviculture practices. Likewise, healthy forest conditions result in a safer environment from catastrophic wildfires.

The Kisatchie National Forest began after most of the native longleaf pine and other tree species were cut at the turn of the century. Forestry and silviculture practices were not considered during this time of "cut out and get out". The first goal of the Kisatchie National Forest was to restore ground cover by planting thousands of seedlings and control of wildfires to prevent erosion. Loblolly pine is a prolific seeder and easily regenerated so this specie was vital in restoring forested conditions. While loblolly pine as well as other southern yellow pines (slash and shortleaf) and hardwoods are important components of the southern forests, much of the Kisatchie National Forest was originally longleaf pine. Longleaf pine has historically had a number of challenges to ensure regeneration.

One of the main threats to longleaf pine was the lack of naturally occurring periodic burning which it is amazingly tolerant of even as seedlings. Burning also controls disease and controls competition. Early planting of longleaf pine seedlings had poor survival. In recent years seedlings have grown in small containers and have dramatically increased survival rates and the potential for restoring longleaf to sites it was once predominate. Shortleaf pine and hardwoods are also recognized as important ecosystems on the Kisatchie National Forest to maintain and restore.

 

While fire control and re-establishing ground cover were immediate needs in the early stages of the Kisatchie National Forest, we have now evolved to fine-tuning the forest to habitat needs and restoring native ecosystems.

 

 

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