(Chapter Background Photo WDNR, Jeff Martin) Chapter 15 – Reforestation and Afforestation CHAPTER 15 REFORESTATION AND AFFORESTATION Integrated Resource Management Considerations ..................................................................................15-2 PLANNING AND DESIGN ....................................................................15-4 Setting Goals ....................................................................................................................................................15-4 Site Evaluation ..................................................................................................................................................15-4 Planting Design ................................................................................................................................................15-7 Species Selection ............................................................................................................................................15-8 Spacing ..............................................................................................................................................................15-9 Planting Arrangement ...................................................................................................................................15-10 Direct Seeding Versus Seedlings ................................................................................................................15-11 Seed Source Selection .................................................................................................................................15-12 Planting Stock Type Selection .....................................................................................................................15-13 OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................15-14 Site Preparation .............................................................................................................................................15-14 BMPs: Protecting Resources ......................................................................................................................15-18 Planting ............................................................................................................................................................15-20 POST-OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES.....................................................15-24 Monitoring Program ......................................................................................................................................15-24 Vegetation Control .........................................................................................................................................15-24 Animal Control ................................................................................................................................................15-25 Insect and Disease Control ..........................................................................................................................15-25 Weather and Environmental Damage ........................................................................................................15-26 BMPs: Invasive Species ..............................................................................................................................15-26 RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ..............................15-27 15-1 Revised 2018 Chapter 15 – Reforestation and Afforestation Reforestation is the practice of regenerating • Landowners should analyze their available budget, and growing healthy trees on previously forested time constraints, and access to reforestation sites. Reforestation can include both natural and resources (e.g., nursery stock, equipment and artificial methods. labor) when considering a reforestation project. A realistic budget must account for the cost of • Natural regeneration methods include root suckering, establishment and follow-up care, such as stump sprouting, or natural seeding as a result of controlling competing vegetation. Many plantings the application of one of the silvicultural systems fail or have less than desirable results due to as described in Chapter 2: Generally Accepted inadequate planning or to limited capital assets Silvicultural Principles. needed to support establishment of a fully stocked • Artificial regeneration methods include aerial and forest. Cost-sharing programs are available to assist ground seeding, or planting seedlings and cuttings landowners in completing reforestation efforts. by hand or with a planting machine. More information on cost-sharing can be found at: dnr.wi.gov – keyword “WFLGP” or by contacting your This chapter provides an overview of the planning, local DNR forester. design, site preparation, and planting methods needed to successfully establish forest stands in Wisconsin. • Species selection, site preparation and planting methods, and plantation design can affect 1) visual quality, 2) the degree of soil disturbance, and Integrated Resource 3) wildlife habitat values. Management Considerations • When planning and performing mechanical or • A written reforestation plan will increase the likelihood chemical site preparation in advance of establishing of success by clarifying all of the site preparation and a new stand, maintaining good soil conditions is planting details, and the measures needed to minimize critical. Practices that result in excessive soil any impacts on other important resources. exposure, compaction, rutting, or removal of surface soils may reduce tree survival and growth, or create AFFORESTATION the need for additional treatments. Site preparation The practice of planting and seeding trees to methods, timing and intensity should be evaluated for create a young forest on non-forested land such potential soil erosion and impacts on soil productivity. as a fallow agricultural field. • Reforestation considerations should be evaluated as part of any harvesting plan when managing stands TYPE CONVERSION at or near rotation age. Changing the dominant species composition of a forest from one forest cover type to another. • Protection of cultural resources may require modification of reforestation efforts. RESTORATION • Endangered, threatened and special concern species The process of reintroducing and maintaining can be impacted by reforestation projects. native flora on a given site. • Consider the impact planting trees can have to non-forested natural communities (e.g., fragment open landscapes, provide predator habitat). Revised 2018 15-2 Chapter 15 – Reforestation and Afforestation (© Jeff Martin, JMAR Foto-Werks) Figure 15-1: Artificial regeneration methods include machine planting which is quite appropriate when old farm fields are planted, in this case, to red pine. (WDNR, Jeff Martin) Figure 15-2: Natural regeneration methods, like the shelterwood harvest that resulted in these young red oak seedlings, are described in Chapter 2: Generally Accepted Silvicultural Principles. 15-3 Revised 2018 Chapter 15 – Reforestation and Afforestation PLANNING AND DESIGN Setting Goals SOILS The first step in planning a reforestation or afforestation Soil properties affect the moisture and nutrients project is to evaluate how it relates to both short- and available for tree growth. Therefore, a careful analysis long-term landowner goals. Such goals might include of the soil characteristics and uniformity is a critical producing income from timber, improving habitat for step in selecting trees species that are well-adapted specific wildlife species, restoring a natural plant to the planting site. The USDA Natural Resource community, reducing soil erosion, improving water Conservation Service’s (NRCS) soil survey information quality, or enhancing the aesthetics of the land. is available online and can be used to better understand Remember that many goals are compatible with each the site’s soil characteristics and to match tree species other, allowing a single forest planting to serve with appropriate soils. The NRCS Web Soil Survey can multiple purposes. be found at: websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app. If possible, examine the soil to a depth of two to five feet Site Evaluation with a test hole or auger, paying particular attention to: Planning reforestation or afforestation activities begins • Soil texture – is it too coarse or sandy? with evaluating the planting site. Knowledge of likely • Organic matter – how much is present? limiting site factors such as soils, existing vegetation, topography, wildlife browse damage, presence of • Depth of topsoil – what is the available rooting depth? invasive species, fire risk, and productivity potential will aid in selecting suitable species, preparing the site, • Parent material – is high or low soil pH a and prescribing post-planting management practices. potential problem? • Available moisture – is there adequate organic matter CLIMATE in the soil? Tree species are adapted to a specific range of climatic conditions. Since Wisconsin has a wide range of • Internal drainage – does water drain freely or puddle climates, our state hosts a wide variety of native tree following rain? species (some with wide habitat ranges and others • Nutrients – does current vegetation appear lush with narrow soil or climate preferences). Therefore, it or chlorotic? is important to select species that are adapted to the climatic conditions of the planting site. For example, • Bulk density – is the soil compacted or have a hard