Green Horizons

Your woods are constantly changing. Seasons come and go, trees grow and die, weather and timber markets vary, and natural disasters or invasive species can take their toll. And just as your forest changes, you and your family do too: a major life event, such as a birth, death or illness, can alter your relationship with your woods.

A new year means taking the time to reflect on what happened last year, how your woods were affected, and what you may choose to do differently in the future. This review of your management plan and goals does not have to be daunting or difficult. It can mean adding just a few handwritten notes to your plan, and it can start with a simple walk in your woods.

Take a walk in your woods

Look for signs of stress, like unnaturally yellowing or browning leaves, as well as damage from summer storms. Check the condition of all your natural resources – not just the trees themselves, but the soil, vegetation, water sources and drainages, and wildlife as well.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Is my forest progressing the way I want it to?
• How many trees did I harvest last year? How many trees did I plant? Keeping track of your harvests and the maturity of your trees will help you plan for future harvests.
• Have I properly planned for and protected the wildlife habitat?
• How have I handled threats to my forest? If you battled pests or invasive plants last year, revisit treated areas to take stock of their recovery. Make note of pruning, herbicide applications and other vegetation control methods used and how your woods responded, so you know what has worked for you and what has not.
• Are my roads and trails adequate and in good condition? Road access is critical for harvesting, maintenance and for fighting fires. If building or repairing roads and trails needs a place on your list of activities planned for the year, it’s better to know sooner rather than later.
• Are my property boundaries clearly marked? Are there signs of trespass? Keep fences and boundaries in good shape to protect your resources and keep out unwanted visitors. If you have acquired or parted with property, you will need to update your management plan map and inventory information.
• Am I up to speed on permit requirements and regulations?

Walking through your woodland as you consider these basic questions is the easiest and most effective way to update your management plan. The experience should give you a sense (a year-end snapshot) of how your forest is doing and how far it has come since you last reviewed your property and your goals for its progress. Knowing where your woods are now will help you plan for where you want them to be.