FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

Transcription

1 FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN This is a forest management plan developed under current USDA-NRCS (Standard 106) guidelines. Date Prepared: March 16, 2012 Plan Time Frame: Y1 - Y15 Property Owner(s): Northwest CT Sportsman's Association Address: P.O. Box 618 Winsted, CT Contact Persons: Jason Marshall President Ken Eifes Conservation Chairman Telephone: jmarshall118@aim.com keneifes@hotmail.com Property Address: (if applicable) 177 Winsted-Norfolk Rd. Colebrook, CT Litchfield County Legal description or directions to site: The property is located at 177 Winsted-Norfolk Road (Route 44) in Colebrook, CT., about 5 miles west of Winsted, CT. Total area is about contiguous acres according to the land records. The property consists of four lots, listed as follows: Colebrook - Map 1, Lot 7; Deed Volume 62, Page 912; acres on Flagg Hill Rd. - Map 7, Lot 2; Deed Volume 27, Page 324; acres on Rte. 44. Norfolk - Map 4-10, Lot 10; Deed Volume 88, Page 627; 1.2 acres on Greenwoods Rd. - Map 4-10, Lot 5; Deed Volume 64, Page 633; 2.91 acres on Greenwoods Rd. Prepared By: Andrew Bosse Company: Andrew J. Bosse Forestry Service Address: 130 Niles Rd. New Hartford, CT Telephone: ajbforestry@att.net Certifications: NRCS TSP # CT Forester License # F-11 MA Forester License # 378 Approvals: Landowner: Date: Preparer: Date: Approving Agency: Date: 1

2 GENERAL INFORMATION Landowner Assessment Description of resources and level of interest from the landowner: The NWCSA has a very active membership with plenty of volunteer labor available and a wide variety of tools and power equipment, including a medium sized 4wd tractor and ATV. Heavier equipment (bulldozer, backhoe, etc.) is often available from members. The club is involved in an ongoing process of wildlife habitat and timber management. Summary of Resource Concerns: Non-native invasive plants present Lack of wildlife habitat diversity Lack of early successional habitat (ESH) Protection of water resources & wetlands Lack of age class diversity in forest stands Landowner's goals for the property: Increase habitat diversity. Develop early successional habitat, especially for New England cottontail rabbit and ruffed grouse. Promote hunting opportunities Enhance biological diversity on a local level Discourage or eliminate exotic elements Implement Shelterwood harvest favoring mast producing trees on about 30 acres (40% of forested area). Expand early successional habitat to 15 total acres (20% of forested area). Protect water resources Protect wetlands 2

3 Conservation Plan: STAND PRACTICE AMOUNT TREATMENT PLANNED 1,2 Early Successional Habitat Development ac. Create Early Successional Habitat (ESH Areas 1 & 2) , 2 Forest Stand Improvement Marsh Wetland Wildlife Habitat Mgmt Brush Management Early Successional Habitat Development Early Successional Habitat Development ,2 Early Successional Habitat Development ac. Shelterwood Harvest/ TSI 28 ac. Control of Invasive Plants 10 ac. Control of Invasive Plants , 2014, , 2014, ac. Re-cut ESH ac. Re-cut ESH Area ac. Re-cut ESH Area General Property Information Total land area: Total number of stands/mgmt units: General property description: Acres 5 The NWCSA property is located at 177 Winsted-Norfolk Rd. (Route 44) in Colebrook, CT. Established in 1927, the club contains a total of about acres, of which about 4.11 acres are in the town of Norfolk and the remainder in Colebrook. Most of the western boundary of the property runs along the Colebrook-Norfolk town line. About 74.2 acres are 3

4 Description of surrounding properties: Soils information: forested, 28.3 acres are marsh wetland, 8.0 acres are open field, and acres comprise the facilities and range areas. The property has about 3,400' of road frontage along Route 44, and 900' of frontage along Flagg Hill Road. Structures and facilities include a clubhouse, several tool and equipment sheds, latrine, rifle range and pavilion, pistol range and pavilion, fish pond pavilion, a trap range and cabin, and an archery range. The terrain on the property is mostly made up of moderate slopes with a few flat areas, and one section of ledge outcrops. The highest elevation is about 1,460' near the southwest corner. The lowest elevation is about 1,280' along Flagg Hill Road where the stream exits the property. In general, the slope aspect of the property is easterly. Water resources include a small stream that enters the property in the northwest corner flowing southeast. It flows through a culvert under the club driveway and into the large marsh along Route 44. At the south end of the marsh the stream flows another 600' or so before crossing under Flagg Hill Road. The marsh is also fed by a small ephemeral stream that originates from the forested wetland near the western boundary. Behind the clubhouse is a small spring fed fishing pond, adjacent to the stream and marsh. There are the remains of several stone walls and wire fences on the property, indicating that at least some of it was cleared for agriculture in the past; most likely pasture land as the soils are too rocky for any cultivated crops. Some of the property may have been cleared for charcoal production as well around the turn of the 19th century. The north and northeastern boundary of the property abuts Greenwoods Rd. (in Norfolk), and Route 44. The southeast boundary abuts Flagg Hill Road. The southern boundary abuts a residential house lot and other privately owned forestland. The western boundary abuts other privately owned forestland, including a large parcel owned by the Nature Conservancy. Upland soil types include Bice fine sandy loams, Bice-Millsite complex, Shelburne fine sandy loams, (well drained); Schroon fine sandy loam, and Ashfield fine sandy loam (moderately well drained). Wetland soil types include Wonsqueak mucky peat (marsh area), and Brayton-Loonmeadow complex (forested), all poorly drained. For further details, please refer to the attached soil map and reports. Management access: Good access for management activities is available from Route 44 and from Flagg Hill Road. Presence of threatened and endangered species: The State of CT D.E.E.P.'s Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) indicates the presence of threatened or endangered species on or near the property. A request for more detailed information was submitted to the D.E.E.P. 4

5 and the results are included in the report (NDDB request # ) dated March 28, 2012 and attached to the NDDB map. Cultural importance: Map information: No known areas of cultural importance on the property. The following maps and reports are included in the plan: Location Map Topographic Map Aerial Image Map Forest Stand Map Proposed Early Successional Habitat Project Map Soils Map and Report Natural Diversity Database Map and Report 5

6 EXISTING CONDITIONS FOR 'STAND 1' Land area: Landuse history: Forest Type: - Existing - Potential Land area: 42.5 Acres Stand most likely regenerated from pasture in the early 1900's. The most recent forestry activity was a commercial thinning operation with TSI in 2003 that removed on average approximately 1,850 board feet per acre. Mixed hardwoods Mixed hardwoods Successional trend: Overstory dominated my mixed hardwoods sawtimber, including red oak, sugar maple, white ash, red maple, beech, black cherry, birch, and some scattered hemlock. Poletimber component is of a similar mix but heavier to red maple and beech. Understory is mostly open with scattered patches of mountain laurel. Some scattered invasive shrubs (multi-flora rose, Japanese barberry). Forest health: Overall good. Some beech bark disease and birch canker present. Site quality: Site index is 72 for red oak. Approximate age: 95 Size class: Medium Sawlogs ( ") Trees per acre: 169 Mean Stand Diameter: 11 in. Basal Area (BA): 113 Acceptable BA: 81 Growth Rate: 4.3 % Timber Quality: med-high Stocking: Stand Volume: Habitat and wildlife use: Recreational opportunities: Potential for timber production: Water quality issues: Fully stocked (96%). AGS accounts for 72% of basal area. 5,519 bd.ft./acre Hard and soft mast producing trees (oaks, black cherry, beech, ash, maple) provide seasonal food source for deer, turkey, grouse, squirrel, black bear. Stand currently lacks a significant understory component which would provide necessary winter browse for deer and security/nesting cover for many other species. A Shelterwood harvest (mentioned below) would rectify this situation and greatly enhance the quality of wildlife habitat in this stand. Hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, 3D archery course currently exists on a section of this stand. Good potential. A Shelterwood thinning to the "B" stocking level would greatly enhance growth rates, improve timber quality and encourage regeneration. Favored species should include oaks, black cherry, sugar maple, white ash. No major issues. This stand borders the marsh, so any activity in this stand that falls within the riparian buffer along the marsh (a strip of about 150' wide) should include special considerations for protecting the wetland, such as limiting basal area removal to 50%, harvesting during dry or frozen conditions, and utilizing applicable BMP's. 6

7 Important natural features: None noted. MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR 'STAND 1' Landowner's objectives for this stand: Implement and even-aged management system (Shelterwood) for the benefits it will provide to both wildlife and timber resources. Create an additional 5 acres +/- of early successional habitat. Monitor for invasive species and control as necessary. Silvicultural Prescription Recommended silvicultural system: Details of the silvicultural prescription: Even-aged management, favoring oaks, black cherry, white ash, and beech. Desired rotation age is 80 years. Implement a Shelterwood harvest on at least 40% of the stand. Create a 5 acre block of perpetual early successional habitat (re-cut on a 15 year rotation after initial clear cutting operation). Planned Activities Y1: Invasive species control. Even aged regeneration in the form of a shelterwood harvest. 5 acre clear cut for permanent early successional habitat. Y2: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Y3: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Priority: 2 Y15: Re-cut 5 acre clear cut for permanent early successional habitat. 7

8 EXISTING CONDITIONS FOR 'STAND 2' Land area: Land Use history: Forest Type: - Existing - Potential Land area: 16.5 Acres This stand underwent a commercial thinning with TSI in 2003 that removed on average approximately 1,850 board feet per acre. White pine-hemlock-mixed hardwood White pine-hemlock-mixed hardwood Successional trend: White Pine, hemlock, and mixed hardwood (red oak, black cherry, red maple,birch) sawtimber comprises the overstory. Poletimber component is similar but heavier to hemlock and red maple. Understory is mostly open with some scattered patches of mountain laurel. Forest health: Good. Some Hemlock Wooly Adelgid present. Site quality: Site index is 64 for red oak. Average for red oak. Approximate age: 65+ Size class: Medium Sawlogs ( ") Trees per acre: 339 Mean Stand Diameter: 7.7 in. Basal Area (BA): 110 Acceptable BA: 64 Growth Rate: 5 % Timber Quality: medium Stocking: Stand Volume: Habitat and wildlife use: Recreational opportunities: Potential for timber production: Water quality issues: Fully stocked (70%). AGS accounts for 58% of the basal area. 5,589 bd.ft./acre Hard and soft mast producing trees (oaks, black cherry, beech, ash, maple) provide seasonal food source for deer, turkey, grouse, squirrel, black bear. Larger softwoods provide roosting sites for turkeys, owls, and nesting sites for pileated woodpeckers and other forest birds. Stand currently lacks a significant understory component which would provide necessary winter browse for deer and security/nesting cover for many other species. A Shelterwood harvest (mentioned above) would rectify this situation and greatly enhance the quality of wildlife habitat in this stand. Hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, 3D archery course currently exists on a section of this stand. Good potential. A Shelterwood thinning to the "B" stocking level would greatly enhance growth rates, improve timber quality and encourage regeneration. Favored species should include white pine, oaks, black cherry. No major issues. A small ephemeral stream runs along the northern edge of the main stand. Utilization of applicable BMP's during any harvest activity should mitigate any negative impacts to water quality. Important natural features: None noted. 8

9 MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR 'STAND 2' Landowner's objectives for this stand: Implement and even-aged management system (Shelterwood) for the benefits it will provide to both wildlife and timber resources. Create an additional 5 acres +/- of early successional habitat. Monitor for invasive species and control as necessary. Silvicultural Prescription Recommended silvicultural system: Details of the silvicultural prescription: Planned Activities Even-aged management, favoring oaks, white pine, and black cherry. Desired rotation age is 80 years. Implement a Shelterwood harvest on at least 40% of the stand. Create a 5+/- acre block of perpetual early successional habitat (ESH) re-cut initially after 5 years, then re-cut on a 15 year rotation so that all three blocks of ESH are on a 15 year rotation, staggered every 5 years. Y1: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Even aged regeneration in the form of a Shelterwood harvest. 5 acre clear cut for permanent early successional habitat. Y2: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Priority: 2 Y3: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Priority: 2 Y10: Re-cut early successional habitat. 9

10 EXISTING CONDITIONS FOR 'STAND 3' Land area: Landuse history: Forest Type: - Existing - Potential Land area: 10.9 Acres Stand most likely regenerated from pasture in the early 1900's. No recent forest management activity in this stand. Red maple-yellow birch-hemlock wetland Red maple-yellow birch-hemlock wetland Successional trend: Overstory is dominated by hemlock and red maple sized sawtimber. Poletimber component is also mostly red maple and hemlock along with yellow birch. Understory is mostly open. Forest health: Good. Some Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is present. Site quality: Low. Site index is low for oak. Approximate age: 65+ Size class: Small Sawlogs ( ") Trees per acre: 483 Mean Stand Diameter: 7.5 in. Basal Area (BA): 135 Acceptable BA: 85 Growth Rate: 2 % Timber Quality: low Stocking: Stand Volume: Habitat and wildlife use: Recreational opportunities: Potential for timber production: Water quality issues: Important natural features: Fully stocked (90%). AGS accounts for 62% of the basal area. n/a As a wetland, this stand provides several vernal pool areas which are important breeding habitat for amphibians. Also an important water source for mammals and birds when surface water is present. Hunting, wildlife watching. None. This stand should remain an unmanaged forested wetland. Wetland which provides valuable water storage and habitat. This stand should be protected. None noted. MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR 'STAND 3' Landowner's objectives for this stand: Leave unmanaged. 10

11 Silvicultural Prescription Recommended silvicultural system: Details of the silvicultural prescription: None. Stand should remain unmanaged. No prescription for this stand other than to leave it unmanaged. It's highest and best use as a forested wetland is for wildlife habitat and water quality protection. Planned Activities Y1: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Priority: 2 Y2: Invasive species monitoring. Priority: 2 Y3: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. 11

12 EXISTING CONDITIONS FOR STAND 4 Wilson s Field Land area: Landuse history: Land area: 4.3 Acres This stand was clear cut about 5 years ago as part of a wildlife habitat improvement project. It is being managed as a perpetual early successional habitat, and is scheduled to be re-cut (mowed) in about 5 years. Forest Type: - Existing Early successional hardwood - Potential Early successional hardwood Successional trend: Mixed hardwood seedlings and some saplings. Forest health: Good. Vigorous growth. Site quality: Good Approximate age: 5 Size class: Seedlings Trees per acre: Mean Stand Diameter: < 1" in. Basal Area (BA): n/a Acceptable BA: n/a Growth Rate: n/a Timber Quality: n/a Stocking: Stand Volume: Habitat and wildlife use: Recreational opportunities: Potential for timber production: Water quality issues: Important natural features: Fully Stocked n/a Very good. Provides nesting cover for a variety of birds. Young growth provides important winter browse for deer. Numerous soft mast producing trees and shrubs have been planted. Abundant natural regeneration of wild raspberries provide a valuable food source for birds, deer, bears, and club members. A portion of the original clear cut for this stand was converted to a grass/clover food plot. This stand also is stocked by the club with pheasants, and provides adequate security cover for these birds to hold in. Hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing. This stand is being managed as perpetual early successional habitat. No issues. None noted. 12

13 MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR STAND 4 Wilson s Field Landowner's objectives for this stand: Maintain as early successional habitat. Silvicultural Prescription Recommended silvicultural system: Details of the silvicultural prescription: Even-aged management, favoring mixed hardwoods.. Desired rotation age is 15 years. Re-cut/mow every 15 years to maintain as early successional habitat. Monitor for and control invasive shrubs as needed. Planned Activities Y1: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Y2: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Y3: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Priority: 2 Y6: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Re-cut early successional habitat. Priority: 1 13

14 EXISTING CONDITIONS FOR THE MARSH Land area: Landuse history: Forest Type: - Existing - Potential Land area: 28.3 Acres This area appears to have been converted from a forested wetland to open marsh by both beavers and humans. There appears to be the remains of an old stone dam at the south end of the marsh where the stream exits, and in more recent history, a beaver dam has occupied the site. Open/Shrub marsh Open/Shrub marsh Successional trend: Open marsh wetland with some scattered wetland shrubs (spice bush, winterberry, high bush blueberry) and small trees (red maple, hemlock), especially along the edges. Marsh itself is mostly cattails, but in danger of being crowded out by invasive Phragmites (common reed). Also some invasive shrubs, especially multi-flora rose along edges. Forest health: Phragmites infestation threatens to degrade the value of this marsh for wildlife, and should be controlled as soon as possible. Multi-flora rose (mostly along edges) should also be controlled. Site quality: Good for a wetland. Approximate age: n/a Size class: n/a Trees per acre: n/a Mean Stand Diameter: n/a Basal Area (BA): n/a Acceptable BA: n/a Growth Rate: n/a Timber Quality: n/a Stocking: Stand Volume: Habitat and wildlife use: Recreational opportunities: Potential for timber production: Water quality issues: Important natural features: n/a n/a Excellent open wetland habitat for birds and waterfowl, amphibians, reptiles, some fish, and aquatic mammals such as beaver, river otter, mink, fisher. Hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing. None. This marsh and the stream running through it should be protected from soil erosion and siltation, and invasive species. Open marsh habitat is a rare commodity in northwest CT. 14

15 MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR 'MARSH' Landowner's objectives for this stand: Control / eliminate invasive species (Phragmites, multi-flora rose). Management Prescription Recommended silvicultural system: Details of the management prescription: None. Implement an invasive species control program for Phragmites, multiflora rose, and any other invasive plants that may be present. Otherwise leave unmanaged. Planned Activities Y1: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Y2: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Y3: Invasive species control and/or monitoring. 15

16 SUMMARY TABLES UNIT Detailed plans by year - Y1 - PRIORITY ACTIVITY Stand 1 1 Invasive species control. Even aged regeneration in the form of a shelterwood harvest. 5 +/- acres clear cut for permanent early successional habitat. Stand 2 1 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Even aged regeneration in the form of a shelterwood harvest. 5 +/- acres clear cut for permanent early successional habitat. Stand 4 1 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Marsh 1 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Stand 3 2 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. UNIT - Y2 - PRIORITY ACTIVITY Stand 1 1 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Stand 4 1 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Marsh 1 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Stand 2 2 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Stand 3 2 Invasive species monitoring. UNIT - Y3 - PRIORITY ACTIVITY Stand 3 1 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Marsh 1 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Stand 1 2 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Stand 2 2 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Stand 4 2 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. 16

17 UNIT - Y5 - PRIORITY ACTIVITY Stand 4 1 Invasive species control and/or monitoring. Recut early successional habitat. UNIT - Y10 - PRIORITY ACTIVITY Stand 2 1 Re-cut 5 acre early successional habitat. -Y15- UNIT PRIORITY ACTIVITY Stand 1 1 Re-cut 5 acre early successional habitat. UNIT Comparison of management units on the property ACRES COVER TYPE Stand Mixed hardwoods Stand White pinehemlockmixed hardwood Stand Red mapleyellow birchhemlock wetland Stand Early successional hardwood Marsh 28.3 Open/Shrub marsh STAND DIAMETER BASAL AREA SILVICULTURAL SYSTEM 11 in. 113 Even aged mgmt. Rotation age is 80 years. 7.7 in. 110 Even aged mgmt. Rotation age is 80 years. 7.5 in. 135 None. < 1" in. n/a Even aged mgmt. Rotation age is 10 years. n/a in. n/a None. 17