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FOREST MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP MANUAL

WOODLAND INVENTORY-LAND

The Woodland Inventory is the first step in developing a management plan, what is there to work with. Land is evaluated for its woodland productive potential based on a number of site factors and with the economics of woodland management as they are today, it is good management to identify the better sites and begin management efforts on them. There are several factors which influence the productivity of a site. They are:

Soil
This is probably the single most important factor. Different soils have different levels of natural fertility, depth, moisture holding capacity, slopes, etc. Moisture holding capacity and fertility have obvious influences on tree growth. Soil depth is a limiting factor only when its less than 4' deep. Tree roots rarely go deeper than 4' and most feeder roots are in the top 6". Slopes are limiting factors of equipment usage and water infiltration rates. As part of a Conservation Plan, these factors are taken into account and soils are evaluated as to the productivity potential for woodland.
Aspect
This is probably the second most important factor. Aspect is the direction a hillside faces. Generally speaking, north and east facing slopes are more productive than south and west facing slopes. The reason for this is that south and west facing slopes get direct sunlight and are hotter and dryer than north and east facing slopes. This causes trees on south and west facing slopes to experience stress which open them to insects and diseases because of reduced vigor. Northeast facing coves are the best sites in this area for growing trees.

These two variables can go a long way in making a determination about site productivity. Other site factors to consider are:

Slope
This can limit equipment usage, water infiltration, and road construction.
Slope Position
Usually toe slopes are more productive than ridgetops mainly due to availability of water and soil depth.
Drainage
For most part in forest management, it is best to suit a tree species to a site rather than fit a site to a tree species. Different types have different site requirements. Some need wet soils, some need well drained soils.
In inventorying his land, the landowner will want to take into account the site classification and determine species best suited to those sites present. (See Appendix, "Mountain Site Classification", and "Major Timber Species Checklist).

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Last revised August 14, 1995.