PENNSYLVANIA FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLAN March 2007

Transcription

1 PENNSYLVANIA FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLAN March 2007 Prepared for: Pennsylvania College of Technology One College Avenue Williamsport, Pennsylvania Lycoming County Daytime Phone: (570) Evening Phone: (570) Stewardship Acres 165 Total Parcel Acres Mailing Address: Pennsylvania College of Technology School of Natural Resources Management 203 Allenwood Camp Lane Montgomery, Pennsylvania Prepared by: Greg Wiltsie, Andrew Moser, Chad Brooks Penn College Forestry One College Avenue Williamsport, Pennsylvania Telephone: (570) Fax: (570) Lycoming County Service Forester: Jeffrey S. Prowant DCNR Bureau of Forestry District 12 Office 423 East Central Ave. South Williamsport, Pennsylvania Telephone: (570) Fax: (570) Page 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Topic Page Number Directions to Property 3 Landowner s Management Goals 3 List of Included Items 4 Management Units 5-9 Property Unit Map and Cruise Map 10 Recommendations Schedule 15 Signature Page 16 Soil Map 13 Soil Types and Descriptions 14 Species of Special Concern 3 Stand Table 11 The Property Within the Landscape 3 Topographic Map of Property 12 Volume Table 11 Page 2

3 Landowner s Management Goals: Enhance the habitat of the property for future generations use. Also provide for a steady income as a firewood enterprise. There is also a possibility of having the landowner cut some trees as timber, using the branches from cut timber and smaller trees and saplings as firewood. Directions to Property: The location of the Earth Science Center campus of the Pennsylvania College of Technology property is approximately ten miles from the Market Street Bridge in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. From the Market Street Bridge in Williamsport, go south on U.S. Route 15 until reaching the Penn College Earth Science Center, located at 203 Allenwood Camp Lane in Montgomery. The Property Within the Landscape: The Earth Science Center of the Pennsylvania College of Technology includes 136 total acres, 96 of which are forested and included in this stewardship plan. There is a 1.5 acre pond on the property, along with a 1.6 acre athletic field which is slightly larger than a football field. A small stream, about five to ten feet wide average, runs north along most of the entire length of the property, from the top of the hill to the bottom, near the campus building. At the top of the hill, there is a cell phone tower, near an area of black cherry regeneration. There are two Christmas tree plantations, one is a 5 acre established red pine plantation, while the other is a 1 acre newly planted fir plantation. There are two unique forest types that run across the property. The northern hardwoods forest type and the central hardwoods forest type are mixed throughout the property. A system of trails, about 3 miles in length total, run throughout the property. Also included at the top of the property is a 2.7 acre wildlife area, which is piled brush used as a wildlife habitat and breeding area. Species of Special Concern: There are no species of special concern located on this property or near this property after doing a search of the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Therefore, no special management is needed. Page 3

4 Included with this report: Cruise map Unit map Topographic map of the property Soil map Soil types and descriptions Volume table Stand table Management Recommendations: We recommend that with this property, snags will be removed for safety, as will dead and/or dying trees. The landowner wants trees removed for a steady stream of firewood, but we will recommend that larger trees be used for timber, as more money will be made than will with firewood. With the trees that are cut down for timber, the tops and the branches will be used for firewood. Small trees and saplings can be used for firewood as well. With the existing trail system on the property, we recommend that the trails be cleaned up and maintained, benches will be maintained, as will signs and bridges along the trail. The pond on the property shall be maintained each summer. Timber removal in front of the overlook shall be done when time is available. Herbicide shall be applied to invasive, unwanted species on the property, most noticeably the striped maple in two of the units. We recommend harvesting a total of 25,000 board feet every three years, whereas the entire property currently has a total volume of 261,200 board feet. There is around 11,904 trees on the entire 96 acres of the property. We calculated that the average site index for the property will be 57. This means that there will be in 50 years, trees will grow an average of 57 feet in height. Page 4

5 Management Unit #1 (Hickory Loop) Hickories : 13 acres Management History: The entire Penn College Earth Science Center property was logged twice between 1850 and We are assuming that this unit, like most of the remainder of the property, had vast numbers of American Chestnut trees growing throughout. The chestnut blight that attacked the trees in the early 1900s wiped out the species, and therefore, no sizeable chestnut trees are found in the forests today. The unit runs along the property boundary, which is defined by a fence. Along this fencerow, many smaller tree species and brushy species can be found, most like any other fencerow that can be found throughout the Eastern United States. Management Unit Description: The species found in this area include shagbark hickory, red oak, white oak, red maple, and white ash. The majority of the trees in this area are hickories and oaks. There is a small stream, with a bridge across it, running through the area. The white ash stand is isolated in this unit, as it is between the stream and the pond. Also in this unit is an area of ropes and wood beams strung between trees, used as a ropes balance training course. A portion of the school s trail system runs through this portion of the property, as it does for most of the units. Management Objectives for the Unit: Enhance the habitat of the property for future generations use and for the advancement of wildlife populations. Also provide for a steady income as a firewood enterprise, and possibly the income from the cutting of timber sized trees. The upkeep and maintenance of the trail system should also be done. The pond near this unit should also have maintenance kept up on it on a yearly basis. Wildlife management should be done on this unit, in the form of porcupine cribs, squirrel boxes, and food plots. Management Recommendations: In these 13 acres, we calculated the basal area for the unit as 78. The site index will be 81, meaning that in 50 years the trees on this unit will grow an average of 81 feet taller. The percent stocking is 50% which means that the area is considered understocked. We found there to be an average of 56 trees per acre in this area, or around 728 trees in the unit. As far as volume, we calculated there to be 35,384 board feet for the whole unit. Page 5

6 Management Unit #2 ( Sawmill ) Central Hardwoods : 8 acres Management History: Evidence of the past two logging operations that were done on this property between 1850 and 1920 can be seen in this unit, as the college s trail system utilizes the skid trails throughout this unit. We are also assuming that American Chestnut trees were growing in this unit in the past, before the chestnut blight attacked and killed all the trees. Management Unit Description: Species found in this unit include tulip poplar, white oak, red oak, black oak, and red pine. Hemlock trees can be found along the streams in this unit. A small stream runs through this unit. Also in this unit are bat boxes that were placed by the college for bat habitats. Management Objectives for the Unit: Enhance the habitat of the property for future generations use and for the advancement of wildlife populations. Also provide for a steady income as a firewood enterprise, and possibly the income from the cutting of timber sized trees. The upkeep and maintenance of the trail system should also be done. Wildlife management should be done on this unit, in the form of squirrel boxes and food plots. Management Recommendations: In these 8 acres, we calculated the basal area for the unit as 91. The site index will be 55, meaning that in 50 years the trees on this unit will grow an average of 55 feet taller. The percent stocking is 55% which means that the area is considered fully stocked. We found there to be an average of 56 trees per acre in this area, or around 448 trees in the unit. As far as volume, we calculated there to be 21,775 board feet for the whole unit. Page 6

7 Management Unit #3 ( Draw ) Northern and Central Hardwoods : 29 acres Management History: This unit was logged twice between the years of 1850 and 1920, and evidence of this operation can be seen in areas around the unit, most noticeably the skid trails that were used, as these are now part of the college s outdoor nature trail system. Management Unit Description: A wide variety of species can be found all along this unit. Two different distinct forest types occur in this unit, the northern hardwoods forest type and the central hardwoods forest type. Some of the species in these two forest types include sassafras, white ash, tulip poplar, white pine, eastern hemlock, red oak, white oak, chestnut oak, black cherry, red maple and sugar maple. The understory of this unit has species including lowbush blueberry and striped maple. Management Objectives for the Unit: Enhance the habitat of the property for future generations use and for the advancement of wildlife populations. Also provide for a steady income as a firewood enterprise, and possibly the income from the cutting of timber sized trees. The upkeep and maintenance of the trail system should also be done. Wildlife management should be done on this unit, in the form of squirrel boxes and food plots. Management Recommendations: In these 29 acres, we calculated the basal area for the unit as 91. The site index will be 58, meaning that in 50 years the trees on this unit will grow an average of 58 feet taller. The percent stocking is 82% which means that the area is considered fully stocked. We found there to be an average of 51 trees per acre in this area, or around 1479 trees in the unit. As far as volume, we calculated there to be 78,933 board feet for the whole unit. Page 7

8 Management Unit #4 (Hill Top) Central Hardwoods : 31 acres Management History: This unit, which runs along the top of the hill on the college s property, was logged along with the rest of the property twice between 1850 and As with all the other units on the property, the skid trails for the logging operations are utilized as the school s nature trail system. Management Unit Description: Along the top of the hill in this unit, species that can be found include mainly chestnut oak and white pine, with maples, oaks, and cherry intermixed in smaller concentrations. A patch of striped maple can be found in this unit, which is trying to be controlled, and should continue to have herbicide applied. Also in this unit, at the base of the cell phone tower at the south end of the unit, is a stand of black cherry regeneration. Near the black cherry regeneration, also near the south end of the unit, is an area of a past logging operation, as well as an established pine plantation of red pine. At the top of the hill, there is a wooden platform used as an overlook for the valley and surrounding hills. Management Objectives for the Unit: Enhance the habitat of the property for future generations use and for the advancement of wildlife populations. Also provide for a steady income as a firewood enterprise, and possibly the income from the cutting of timber sized trees. The upkeep and maintenance of the trail system should also be done. The patch of striped maple should be tried to be controlled, by applying herbicides in late spring yearly. Low priority for this unit would be the removal of trees that are blocking the view from the overlook at the edge of the hill, which could be accomplished whenever time is available to have it done, but is listed as Fall of 2007 as a completion date. Wildlife management should be done on this unit, in the form of squirrel boxes and food plots. Management Recommendations: In these 31 acres, we calculated the basal area for the unit as 90. The site index will be 49, meaning that in 50 years the trees on this unit will grow an average of 49 feet taller. The percent stocking is 68% which means that the area is considered fully stocked. We found there to be an average of 51 trees per acre in this area, or around 1581 trees in the unit. As far as volume, we calculated there to be 84,377 board feet for the whole unit. Page 8

9 Management Unit #5 (Hill Sides) Northern Hardwoods : 11 acres Management History: This unit was also timbered with the entire property twice between 1850 and There is evidence of these logging operations on some of the less steep parts of the hill, as skid trails can be seen that are now utilized as the college s trail system. There are noticeably fewer trees found on the hill sides, and consequently, the basal area is lower than the rest of the property. Management Unit Description: The species found on the sides of the hill include red oak, black oak, Chestnut oak, white pine, eastern hemlock, and black birch. Also on the hill sides is an abundant amount of striped maple, which is considered to be a pest species and an invasive species. Management Objectives for the Unit: Enhance the habitat of the property for future generations use and for the advancement of wildlife populations. Also provide for a steady income as a firewood enterprise, and possibly the income from the cutting of timber sized trees. The upkeep and maintenance of the trail system should also be done. Application of herbicide to striped maple in late spring should also be done to prevent the spreading and continual growth of the species, as it is an invasive species. Wildlife management should be done on this unit, in the form of squirrel boxes and food plots. Management Recommendations: In these 11 acres, we calculated the basal area for the unit as 90. The site index will be 43, meaning that in 50 years the trees on this unit will grow an average of 43 feet taller. The percent stocking is 60% which means that the area is considered fully stocked. We found there to be an average of 47 trees per acre in this area, or around 517 trees in the unit. As far as volume, we calculated there to be 29,940 board feet for the whole unit. Page 9

10 PROPERTY UNIT MAP AND CRUISE MAP Page 10

11 Page 11

12 TOPOGRAPHIC MAP Page 12

13 SOIL MAP Page 13

14 SOIL INFORMATION AlB Allenwood Gravelly silt loam, 3-8% slope, well drained dark grayish brown soil This type of soil is suitable for growing trees, as about 40% of this soil type has woodlands on it. This soil is also very good use for growing agricultural crops and grasses. It also has a seasonal high water table. AlC Allenwood Gravelly silt loam, 8-15% slope, well drained dark grayish brown soil This soil type is more suitable for pastures and crops, however it will grow timber. It doesn t produce that well of a stand. The hazard of this soil is that erodes severely. AvA Alvira silt loam, 0-3% slope, somewhat poorly drained dark grayish brown soil This soil is more suitable for pastures and crops. It will grow trees, but it limits the roots to about 30 inches deep. It holds a relative about of water and runoff is slow. AxB Alvira very stony loam, 0-8% slope, somewhat poorly drained dark grayish brown soil This soil is mostly in woodlands. It is not suitable for crops or pastures. It limits the roots to about 30 inches deep. BeC Burks Channery silt loam, 8-15% slope, well drained dark brown soil This soil is not suitable for growing trees. It doesn t hold much water and it can t be used for growing crops. It can be used for grazing but has to rotational due to the fact of the poor quality. BeD Burks Channery silt loam, 15-25% slope, well drained dark brown soil This soil is poorly suited for growing crops; most of this soil type is used for pasture or woodlands. Erosion is a major concern with this type of soil. HhC Hartleton Channery silt loam, 8-15% slope, well drained and dark grayish brown soil This soil is very suitable for growing crops and producing tree. With using fertilizers this soil is very good for producing timber. With some thinning you can have a productive woodlot. ShB Shelmadine silt loam, 3-8% slope, poorly drained dark grayish brown soil This soil is used for pasture land. This soil can be used for growing crops and growing trees. It doesn t produce very good stands. SvB Shelmadine very stoney silt loam, 0-8% slope, poorly drained dark grayish brown soil This soil is mostly in woodlands. This soil is very stony on the top layer of soil. WbB Watson silt loam, 3-8% slope, moderately well drained dark brown soil This soil is suitable for pasture and growing crops. This soil has the potential to grow trees at a high productivity. WkE Weikert and Klinesville shaly silt loams, 25-80% slope, shallow dark grayish brown soil This soil is very erosive. It has a low potential for growing trees, it used for pasture lands a lot. Page 14

15 Recommendations Schedule Year and Priority Activity Management Units Season 2007 & Ongoing High Firewood cutting 1, 2, 3, 4, & Ongoing Low Recreation and trail maintenance 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Spring 2007 High Have forester mark timber to cut 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Summer 2007 High Timbering (25,000 board feet) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Fall 2007 Low Remove trees from in front of overlook 4 Summer 2010 High Timbering (25,000 board feet) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Summer 2013 High Timbering (25,000 board feet) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Yearly (late spring) Medium Application of herbicide to striped maple 4, 5 Ongoing Low Property Maintenance 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Ongoing Low Wildlife Management 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Yearly(summer) Low Pond Maintenance 1 Page 15

16 Signature Page Plan Writer s Pledge: To the best of my knowledge, this Stewardship Plan contains: an accurate representation of the landowner s interests and objectives for the property an accurate assessment of all the natural resources present on the property addressed in the plan management recommendations in keeping with the landowner s interest and abilities, and considering the inherent value of all resources on the property... Author(s) of Plan Date Landowner s Pledge: I accept the recommendations contained in the Stewardship Plan, and will make an honest effort to follow them for the five year period covered by the plan. Since timber harvesting has a significant impact on my forest resources I agree to complete commercial timber harvests recommended in the plan with the assistance of a professional forester. I understand that the forester is to designate trees to be cut based on a written prescription derived through a careful stand analysis of the management unit(s) involved. I understand that a service forester or consultant will periodically review the implementation of my Stewardship Plan to assist me in maintaining Stewardship Forest status. To enable him/her to carry out this responsibility I will make available copies of plan amendments and/or timber harvesting prescriptions before carrying out a major activity. I understand that I am not obligated to obtain approval from the service forester but that he/she may advise me if prescriptions do not appear to serve the goals of my Stewardship Plan to meet program standards. I understand that as a Forest Steward I am eligible (but not obligated) to request Stewardship Incentive Program (SIP) cost-share assistance to help implement approved practices recommended in the plan or subsequent amendments. If I choose to withdraw from the Forest Stewardship Program I agree to return the sign that designates my property a Stewardship Forest to the service forester... Landowner(s) Date Bureau of Forestry Approval: This Stewardship Plan meets the requirements established by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry for Forest Stewardship Plans developed using cost-share assistance... Service Forester Date Page 16