Georgia's Cypress Resource

Transcription

1 Georgia's Cypress Resource Reconciling Perceptions of Change with Evidence of Change L. Morris (L. Ogden, C. R. Jackson, C. Jordan) Georgia Forest Landowners! GFC and NCASI Jan 26, 2015

2 Cypress: The South s Most Polarizing Tree

3 A Long History of Cypress Harvests

4 Traditional Uses as Decay-Resistant Lumber, Paneling and Furniture inker-cypress-beams-lumber-.png es/.pond/cypressharvesttable11fxd.jpg.w560h540.jp g

5 Non-Traditional Use as Mulch Concerns about Sustainability

6 An Abundance of Contradictory Viewpoints Louisiana Forestry Association Phoenix Business Journal Mother Jones

7 Contradictory Information Tupelo-Cypress Area Miller et al. 2008

8 G r Variability in Data Tupelo-Cypress Area

9 Cypress Management The Perfect Storm 1. Biology (silvics): Natural regeneration depends on random acts of hydrology

10 Quick Review-Silvics of Cypress Natural Regeneration from seed requires dry (but not too dry) period for establishment and sprouts can t survive total inundation, flow modifications important Initial stump sprouting vigorous but survival past age 5 often low Better survival of sprouts above high-water line Many potential damage agents during establishment phase

11 Cypress Management The Perfect Storm 1. Biology: Natural regeneration depends on random acts of hydrology 2. Management (silviculture): Long rotations and investments, regeneration approach, site prep/establishment needs, multiple pest threats, *regeneration assessment 3. Regulatory (ongoing silviculture): established/history/plan, normal silviculture

12 So 2013 GA Cypress Survey Survey Objectives: How and under what conditions is cypress being harvested in Georgia? What approaches are being used to regenerate cypress stands? What factors influence decisions about cypress management? Do Georgia professionals and landowners see changes in the cypress resource?

13 Cypress Survey Landowners in Counties that Support Cypress Stands Forestry Professionals (registered, other)

14 Landowner Survey 4 Sections: Ownership Harvest history Regeneration approach and success Demographics, attitudes and perceptions

15 Survey response rates Survey population: 1414 landowners in GA 462 responded % response rate Of those 462 respondents: 340 responded no cypress 73.6% 122 responded they own cypress 26.4% Of those 122 cypress landowners: 24 have had cypress harvested 19.7%

16 Acreage of cypress harvested in the last 10 years by 24 respondents Bald cypress: 6 harvests of 5 to 125 acre tracts 237 acres in total Pond cypress: 3 harvests of 8 to 15 acre tracts - 39 acres in total Both species on same property: 8 harvests of 4 to 400 acre tract 587 acres in total Sum of 17 harvests was 863 acres (not all 24 respondents answered completely)

17 Forestry Professionals Survey 4 Sections: Area and type of stands managed Harvest conditions and methods Regeneration approach and success Demographics, attitudes and perceptions

18 Survey response rates Survey population: 344 registered and consulting foresters in cypress range in GA 117 responded - 34% response rate Of those 117 respondents: 78 responded no cypress 66.7% 39 do manage land with cypress 33.3% Of those 39, 27 have been involved in cypress harvests 69.2%

19 Acreage of cypress harvested in the last 10 years by 27 respondents Bald cypress: 7 harvests of 20 to 28,800 acre tracts 29,235 acres in total Pond cypress: 6 harvests of 5 to 13,650 acre tracts - 14,225 acres in total Both species on same property: 10 harvests of 10 to 645 acre tracts 1,615 acres in total Sum of 23 harvests was 45,075 acres (not all 27 respondents answered this question)

20 Landowner Harvest Timing (Rationale) 13 tracts (59.1%) harvested as part of mixed stand harvest 4 when adjacent stand harvested and it was dry enough to access the cypress 1 harvested when it became accessible due to drought conditions 1 when conditions favorable for regeneration 3 Other : not specified 2 respondents did not answer this question

21 Forestry Professionals Harvest Timing (Rationale) Opportunistic: 31 tracts (of 36 reports, or 86.1%) harvested as part of mixed stand harvest 4 when adjacent stand harvested and it was dry enough to access the cypress 5 harvested when it became accessible (drought) 5 when demand was high or price was good 3 when conditions favorable for regeneration

22 Responses (%) Harvest Methods Owner Professional Sawhead Shear head Unsure

23 Responses (%) Harvest Methods Stump Height Owner Professional As Close as Possible > Mid-Pt. Butt Swell > High Water Mark Unsure

24 Responses (%) Regeneration after Harvest Owner (actual) Professional (recommended) Natural Regeneration-Not Active Active Management Owner: 122 own cypress, 24 harvests, < 1000 ac. Professional: 27 responses, 23 harvests, 45,075 ac.

25 Responses (%) Active Regeneration Owner (actual) Professional (recommended) Timed Harvest Stump Height Planted Site Prep/Comp Cont

26 Responses (%) Observed Regeneration Owner Professional Mean response estimate was 40.2% successful Median response was 40% Sprouts Seedlings Both Sprout/Seedling No Cypress Regen Not Known

27 Seedling and sprout damage 12 reported damage from feral pigs or hogs 22 reported damage by beavers (directly and indirectly herbivory and flooding) 6 reported deer browse 1 report of damage by nutria, insects, fire 61 Not sure of damage agent

28 Landowners Perceptions 49.2% believe the subsequent stand will still include cypress in the species mix, regardless of the regeneration type 52.5 % believe the cypress component of harvested stands has remained about the same as pre-harvest 65.6% were likely to postpone harvest to encourage natural regeneration

29 Forestry Professional s Perceptions Cypress acreage: 43.6% think there is the same amount of cypress acreage now as 10 years ago 43.6% believe there is less acreage Availability of cypress stumpage: 66.7% feel that the has declined in the last 10 years 17.9% feel it is about the same 12.8% could not tell

30 Forestry Professionals Respondents (35.9%) recommend management plans for the cypress component of landowners properties. Respondents (59%) have told clients that cypress will regenerate by stump sprout after a harvest.

31 Landowner Planning Average time of ownership: 31 years Only 28 respondents (23%) have a management plan for the cypress component of their property. 55 of 122 respondents (45.1%) have heard or been told that cypress will regenerate by stump sprout after a harvest.

32 Conclusions Most cypress harvested opportunistically (soil conditions permit or as part of adjacent harvests) Overwhelming reliance on natural regeneration without active management Professionals often recommend stump height standards and harvest timing (less implementation) Regeneration assessment not routinely conducted Landowners and professionals perceive a reduced cypress resource, but data are inconclusive