the woods in your backyard: primary points …...page 1 the woods in your backyard: learning to...

The Woods in Your Backyard: The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create & Enhance Natural Learning to Create & Enhance Natural

Areas Around Your HomeAreas Around Your Home

Jonathan KaysJonathan KaysExtension SpecialistExtension SpecialistNatural ResourcesNatural [email protected]@umd.edu

Primary PointsPrimary Points

►►Land ownership trendsLand ownership trends►►Who are backyard forest owners?Who are backyard forest owners?►►What services do they want? What services do they want? ►►Developing the nicheDeveloping the niche

Educating audiences Educating audiences Developing service providersDeveloping service providers

►►Where to go from here?Where to go from here?

The The SituationSituation

►► Losing 1,000 acres of forest per day in Chesapeake BayLosing 1,000 acres of forest per day in Chesapeake Bay►► 78% of forests in MD owned by private forestowners78% of forests in MD owned by private forestowners

►►85%85% of MD forestland owners own < 10 acresof MD forestland owners own < 10 acres►►Average MD forest landowner owns < 14 acresAverage MD forest landowner owns < 14 acres►►Traditional forest management decreasing with pop.Traditional forest management decreasing with pop.

Forest Ownership TrendsForest Ownership Trends

►► woodland ownerswoodland owners►► ownership tract acreageownership tract acreage►►short tenure of ownershipshort tenure of ownership

/diff t ’ (l d thi )/diff t ’ (l d thi )►►new/different owner’s (land ethic) new/different owner’s (land ethic)

Forests >Forests >Woods >Woods >

[Natural Areas][Natural Areas]

Number of MD Private Forest Owners (1000’s)Number of MD Private Forest Owners (1000’s)Percentage with 1Percentage with 1––9 Acres of Forest9 Acres of Forest

USDA Forest Service National Woodland Owners Survey – 1977, 1989, 2006

55% 65% 85%

Willingness to cut trees for…Willingness to cut trees for…

70%80%90%

100%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%

Timber $ Health Scenic

Probably will not do

Might do

Already do

Kendra and Hull 2005

Professionals can help because …Professionals can help because …

►►Most landowners are not opposed to managing Most landowners are not opposed to managing their landtheir land

►►Many landowners do not know: Many landowners do not know: possible management optionspossible management optionspossible management optionspossible management optionsthe amount of funds required for the amount of funds required for managementmanagementthe benefits of management the benefits of management

Traditional Foresters Disconnect With Traditional Foresters Disconnect With Small LandownersSmall Landowners

►►Forest stewardship programs directed to Forest stewardship programs directed to owners owners with 10 acres or more.with 10 acres or more.

►►Urban forestry programs address communityUrban forestry programs address community►►Urban forestry programs address community Urban forestry programs address community forestsforests

►►No specific forestry programs for those with 1No specific forestry programs for those with 1--10 acre forest landowners10 acre forest landowners

►►There are few There are few service service providers. providers.

Opportunities in backyard woods Opportunities in backyard woods management must appeal to landowner management must appeal to landowner

interestsinterests

►►Amenity resourcesAmenity resources

►► Forest healthForest health

WildlifWildlif►►WildlifeWildlife

►►Water managementWater management►► Fire risk reductionFire risk reduction►►Tree plantingTree planting►► Income generation Income generation -- lastlast

Amenity resourcesAmenity resources

►►SceneryScenery►►TrailsTrails►►PrivacyPrivacy►►ShadeShade

Typically the MOST important product of personal Typically the MOST important product of personal natural areasnatural areas

Scenery sellsScenery sells

►►ParkPark--like stands with large trees and low like stands with large trees and low ground coverground cover

►►Low or little downed wood, trash, wasteLow or little downed wood, trash, waste

►►Open vistas and Open vistas and meadows meadows

►►Thinning creates depthThinning creates depthof view, larger treesof view, larger trees

►►Ephemeral featuresEphemeral features

Enhancing Recreation & AestheticsEnhancing Recreation & Aesthetics

Creating a Trail or RoadCreating a Trail or Road

►►Visually interesting and Visually interesting and variable terrainvariable terrain

►►Follow natural contours and Follow natural contours and meandermeander

►►Use BMP’s to reduce erosion Use BMP’s to reduce erosion potentialpotential

►►Lay it out first with ribbon Lay it out first with ribbon and then adjust before and then adjust before cuttingcutting

Privacy and ShadePrivacy and Shade

►►Vegetation visual & acoustic buffersVegetation visual & acoustic buffersVegetation performs poorly as an acoustic Vegetation performs poorly as an acoustic buffers buffers

Sh d i ifi tl dSh d i ifi tl d►►Shade can significantly reduceShade can significantly reducetemperature (10temperature (10--15 degrees) 15 degrees) cooling costs (10cooling costs (10--80%) 80%)

►►Shade can direct/block cooling Shade can direct/block cooling breezesbreezes

Forest health: another opportunityForest health: another opportunity

►► Emerald Ash borerEmerald Ash borer►►Gypsy mothGypsy moth►►Asian longAsian long--horned beetlehorned beetle►►Hemlock Woolly AdelgidHemlock Woolly Adelgid►►Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Hemlock Woolly Adelgid ►►And the next And the next

“Some something”“Some something”

More forest healthMore forest health►► Abiotic factorsAbiotic factors

Lightning strikesLightning strikesDroughtDroughtFloodingFlooding

►► Invasive plantsInvasive plantsAilanthusAilanthusMileMile--aa--minuteminuteJapanese honeysuckleJapanese honeysuckle

►► Invasive animalsInvasive animalsCoyoteCoyote

►► Nuisance animalsNuisance animals

Improving Wildlife Habitat ValueImproving Wildlife Habitat Value

►►Natural areas will increase food, cover, water, spaceNatural areas will increase food, cover, water, space►►At some point mowing must be stopped to allow area to At some point mowing must be stopped to allow area to

go natural. go natural. ►►Getting the message, Getting the message,

‘M i k ’‘M i k ’‘Messy is okay’‘Messy is okay’►►New natural areas will New natural areas will

increase wildlifeincrease wildlife--human human conflicts (i.e. deer)conflicts (i.e. deer)

Providing and Enhancing Habitat Providing and Enhancing Habitat ElementsElements

►►Mast trees (produce edible fruits/nuts)Mast trees (produce edible fruits/nuts)►►Rocks (cliffs, outcroppings, piles)Rocks (cliffs, outcroppings, piles)►►Mast trees (produce edible fruits/nuts)Mast trees (produce edible fruits/nuts)►►Rocks (cliffs, outcroppings, piles)Rocks (cliffs, outcroppings, piles)( , pp g , p )( , pp g , p )►►Snags (dead standing trees)Snags (dead standing trees)►►Water (stream, pond, wetland, spring)Water (stream, pond, wetland, spring)►►Wolf trees (large, spreading, in the open)Wolf trees (large, spreading, in the open)

( , pp g , p )( , pp g , p )►►Snags (dead standing trees)Snags (dead standing trees)►►Water (stream, pond, wetland, spring)Water (stream, pond, wetland, spring)►►Wolf trees (large, spreading, in the open)Wolf trees (large, spreading, in the open)

Providing and Enhancing Habitat Providing and Enhancing Habitat ElementsElements

To increase the amount and/or variety of wildlife To increase the amount and/or variety of wildlife you hostyou host

To increase the amount and/or variety of wildlife To increase the amount and/or variety of wildlife you hostyou host

►►Brush pilesBrush piles►►Dense thicketDense thicket►►EdgeEdge►►Forest openingsForest openings

►►Brush pilesBrush piles►►Dense thicketDense thicket►►EdgeEdge►►Forest openingsForest openings

Improving Existing Natural AreasImproving Existing Natural Areas

►►Forest healthForest health►►WildlifeWildlife►►Forest productsForest products►►Recreation & aestheticsRecreation & aesthetics

Other TechniquesOther Techniques►►To get To get firewoodfirewood, , lumberlumber, ,

aestheticsaesthetics, , wildlifewildlife, , etc……Crop Tree System!etc……Crop Tree System!

Crop Tree ReleaseCrop Tree Release►►applied to younger standsapplied to younger stands►►applied to younger standsapplied to younger stands

Crop Tree ManagementCrop Tree Management►►Select “crop” trees, ~20 Select “crop” trees, ~20 -- 30/ac 30/ac

Release (Free To Grow) Release (Free To Grow) on 3on 3--4 sides4 sides►►Concentrates/accelerates Concentrates/accelerates

growthgrowth

How to Kill Trees To Reach How to Kill Trees To Reach Your Objective?Your Objective?

►►Hatchet or chainsawHatchet or chainsaw►►Cut through the cambiumCut through the cambium►► Some species easier to kill Some species easier to kill

than others.than others.than others.than others.

Firewise solutionsFirewise solutions

►► Firewise communitiesFirewise communitiesLarge fire breaks (golf Large fire breaks (golf courses, farms)courses, farms)

►► Firewise structuresFirewise structures►► Firewise structuresFirewise structuresNonflammable material, Nonflammable material, gutters, windows, gutters, windows, drivewaysdriveways

►► Firewise landscaping Firewise landscaping around structuresaround structures

Lean, clean, greenLean, clean, green

Use smaller and lower impact harvesting Use smaller and lower impact harvesting and processing equipmentand processing equipment

Changing the Paradigm of Landscaping Changing the Paradigm of Landscaping from Mowed to Natural Usefrom Mowed to Natural Use

Converting from a Mowed Lawn to an Converting from a Mowed Lawn to an Unmowed Natural Area Unmowed Natural Area –– How to do it?How to do it?

Natural succession Tree seedlings & shelters

Plantation Establishment & MaintenancePlantation Establishment & Maintenance

Try to Plant Drainage AreasTry to Plant Drainage Areas

Expanding existing forest areasExpanding existing forest areas

►► Planting area (left) expands the existing forest bufferPlanting area (left) expands the existing forest buffer

Herbicides & Mowing Early OnHerbicides & Mowing Early On

…As trees grow and crowns close

let it go “wild”

Offering a Menu of Services. Who are Offering a Menu of Services. Who are the Service Providers?the Service Providers?

►► Layout a trail networkLayout a trail network►►Control invasive plantsControl invasive plants►►Build a brush pileBuild a brush pile

►►Release “crop” treesRelease “crop” trees►► “Build” a natural area“Build” a natural area►►Merchandise a few logsMerchandise a few logs►►Build a brush pileBuild a brush pile

►►Create edge habitatCreate edge habitat►►Create a campsiteCreate a campsite►►Reduce hazards (trees)Reduce hazards (trees)

►►Merchandise a few logsMerchandise a few logs►►Transition lawn to Transition lawn to

natural area: tree natural area: tree planting, natural planting, natural succession.succession.

Who Can Provide Forestry Services to Who Can Provide Forestry Services to Small Acreage Landowners?Small Acreage Landowners?

Those that are already in the neighborhood!

►►Aborists, landscape contractors, and other green Aborists, landscape contractors, and other green industry professionals, as well as foresters & industry professionals, as well as foresters &

loggers.loggers.

Woodland Woodland Services Services Offered by Green IndustryOffered by Green Industry

Landscapers Arborists

Forest Establishment/Water QualityPlanting trees or shrubs along drainage ways, preparing and planting a lawn with tree seedlings

X

Wildlife Management Wildflower meadows, create a tall grass meadow with less frequent mowing or burning, brush piles, planting wildlife food plots

X

Wildlif M t

From Survey of 50 Green Industry Professionals who attended a presentation on the Woods in Your Backyard at a professional meeting in Fall 2007.

Wildlife ManagementBuild brush piles, wildlife food plots X

Forest HealthControlling vines in natural areas, spray exotic and invasive species X

Forest HealthFelling trees in woods that pose threat to humans X

Forest productsCutting a few logs for lumber, cutting for firewood, cutting trees for income

X

ObjectivesObjectives

►►Develop selfDevelop self--assessment manual assessment manual for for small acreage landowners on how small acreage landowners on how to to create & enhance natural areas for create & enhance natural areas for sustainable outcomessustainable outcomessustainable outcomessustainable outcomes..

►►Develop a local delivery & mentoring Develop a local delivery & mentoring system using trained volunteers.system using trained volunteers.

►►Train and develop service providers.Train and develop service providers.

The Woods in Your Backyard ManualThe Woods in Your Backyard Manual

►► 5 Parts5 PartsPart I Part I –– Introduction Introduction Part II Part II –– Get to Know Get to Know Y PY P

►► 17 Lessons 17 Lessons ►► 20 Activities 20 Activities ►► 4 Appendices4 Appendices

Your PropertyYour PropertyPart III Part III –– Ecological Ecological PrinciplesPrinciples

Part IV Part IV –– Put Your Put Your Knowledge into PracticeKnowledge into PracticePark V Park V -- WorkbookWorkbook

►►Resources ListResources List►►GlossaryGlossary

Manual uses a learning approach….Manual uses a learning approach….

►►A lesson…A lesson…

►►Followed by handsFollowed by hands--on on activity on activity on property to property to gather information…gather information…

►►Complete the activity Complete the activity sheet… sheet…

►►User ends up with the basics of a User ends up with the basics of a forest stewardship plan and way to forest stewardship plan and way to implement it. implement it.

Paradigms To Be AddressedParadigms To Be Addressed

Enhance existing natural areas for what they want

Transition from mowed to natural use for objectives they find important

Conceptual Framework of Looking at Conceptual Framework of Looking at One’s Property One’s Property

►►Three types of Three types of land use:land use:Intensive useIntensive use ––buildings, sheds, paved buildings, sheds, paved areas, etcareas, etcIntermediate useIntermediate use ––lawns, garden, lawns, garden, pasture, orchardpasture, orchardNatural useNatural use –– forested, forested, unmowed areas with unmowed areas with small trees & shrubssmall trees & shrubs

Paired 3-acre plots

Draw a Map of Your PropertyDraw a Map of Your Property

Google earth a great resource!

Aerial Photos Broaden your landscape perspectiveAerial Photos Broaden your landscape perspectivehttp//:google.earth.comhttp//:google.earth.com

Soils maps now online at Soils maps now online at websoilsurveywebsoilsurvey

Patch Characteristics Affect Habitat ValuePatch Characteristics Affect Habitat Value

►►Patch size and proximity affect wildlife habitatPatch size and proximity affect wildlife habitat

What are Your Interests?What are Your Interests?Table 1 – Determine your Interests

Human ValuesResource Benefit Income

ProductionEnhance Property Value

Personal Satisfaction

Privacy & Sanctuary

Reduce Lawn Mowing

Natural Area ImprovementNatural Products

•Reduce time spent mowing lawn and improve wildlife

Activity 4, Page 10

Wildlife Habitat 1

Water Quality 2

Recreation

Aesthetics 3

habitat.

•Improve the water quality of Oak Creek.

•Improve aesthetic enjoyment and sense of

i

Cooperate to Reach Your GoalsCooperate to Reach Your Goals

►►You may not be able to You may not be able to provide all habitat provide all habitat elements needed by the elements needed by the wildlife species youwildlife species youwildlife species you wildlife species you desire, so…desire, so…

►►Cooperate with neighbors Cooperate with neighbors to achieve shared to achieve shared goals if goals if possblepossble

Nelsons’ Constraints to Land ManagementNelsons’ Constraints to Land ManagementActivity 5 Activity 5 –– Page 13Page 13

Getting our kids outdoors!Getting our kids outdoors!

►►A motivation for some to A motivation for some to get out on their propertyget out on their property

L t Child i th W dL t Child i th W d►►Last Child in the Woods: Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Saving Our Children from NatureNature--Deficit DisorderDeficit Disorder

Richard LouvRichard Louv

Get to Know Your Get to Know Your Property:Property:

Management UnitsManagement Units►► Tree identification basicsTree identification basics

Tree and Shrub IDTree and Shrub ID

►► What kind of trees and shrubs grow on your land?What kind of trees and shrubs grow on your land?►► Use simple MD Leaf Key to start. Peterson’s Guide to Trees Use simple MD Leaf Key to start. Peterson’s Guide to Trees

and Shrubs a great resource. Many online resources as and Shrubs a great resource. Many online resources as well. well.

►► The “manual” covers the bare basicsThe “manual” covers the bare basics

Part II, Lesson 3, Page 25 Case Study: The Nelsons’ Most Common Case Study: The Nelsons’ Most Common

Tree and Shrub Species by Land Tree and Shrub Species by Land Management UnitManagement Unit

Ecological PrinciplesEcological PrinciplesEcology: the study of natural communities and how Ecology: the study of natural communities and how

they function and interactthey function and interact

Principles of successionPrinciples of successionPrinciples of forestryPrinciples of forestryPrinciples of forestryPrinciples of forestryWater resources and Water resources and your natural areayour natural areaPrinciples of wildlife Principles of wildlife ecologyecology

The Dynamic Natural Area: The Dynamic Natural Area: Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of Succession

1.1. Natural areas change over time, whether or not Natural areas change over time, whether or not you do anything to them. you do anything to them.

2.2. You can alter the process of succession You can alter the process of succession ff3.3. Tree vary in their requirement for sunlight.Tree vary in their requirement for sunlight.

The first vegetation to grow is that which like full sunlightThe first vegetation to grow is that which like full sunlight

Tree Planting:Tree Planting:Push succession Push succession

aheadahead

Forest Harvesting: Forest Harvesting: Push succession backPush succession back

Forest Harvesting: Forest Harvesting: Push succession backPush succession back

Succession Principle 3Succession Principle 3

►►Trees vary in their requirement for sunlight.Trees vary in their requirement for sunlight.

Shade T olerance of So me Comm on Easte rn Trees Shade -to lerant Inte rm ediate Shade -int olerantBeec h, American Ash Aspe n, quak ing Blackgu m Birch, swee t Birch, gra y Cedar, Atlantic white Birch, yellow Birch, paper Dogw oo d, flower ing Cherr y, black Cedar, eas tern red He ml ock, eas tern Hack berr y Larc h Hickories Mag nolia, cucu mber Oak, p in Map le, red Oak, northern red Pine, red Map le, sugar Oak, w hite Pine, shortleaf Sourw oo d Pine, eas tern w hite Pine, Virginia

Stand DevelopmentStand Development

►►A function primarily ofA function primarily ofsite qualitysite qualityPast history Past history

( f l )( f l )current practices (grazing, for example)current practices (grazing, for example)species compositionspecies composition

A photographic history from the Allegheny Plateau in A photographic history from the Allegheny Plateau in Pennsylvania (1927Pennsylvania (1927--1998)1998)

19271927 19281928

19371937 19471947

19581958 19681968

19781978 19981998

The Dynamic Natural Area: The Dynamic Natural Area: Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of Succession

4.4. Different successional stages provide different Different successional stages provide different wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and recreation.wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and recreation.

5.5. Every small wooded lot may not contain every Every small wooded lot may not contain every stage of successionstage of successionstage of succession stage of succession

Each stage of succession supports different Each stage of succession supports different wildlifewildlife

Different stages of succession Different stages of succession represent different habitat represent different habitat patches (i.e. mature forest, old patches (i.e. mature forest, old field, young forest, etc)field, young forest, etc)

Forestry PrinciplesForestry Principles

1.1. Tree size not directly related to ageTree size not directly related to age2.2. Different tree species require different Different tree species require different

conditionsconditions33 Trees grow at differentTrees grow at different3.3. Trees grow at different Trees grow at different

rates rates -- compete for compete for resources (i.e., sunlight, resources (i.e., sunlight, water, and nutrients)water, and nutrients)

4.4. Forests are Forests are 33--dimensional dimensional

Understanding how forests work -

silviculture

Development of vertical Development of vertical stratification as trees stratification as trees die, holes are filled, die, holes are filled, others seed inothers seed in

Forestry Principles: Forestry Principles: Getting Down to BasicsGetting Down to Basics

5.5. Trees reproduce either from seeds or sprouts Trees reproduce either from seeds or sprouts 6.6. Trees don’t live forever; dead trees valuable for Trees don’t live forever; dead trees valuable for

wildlife and soil wildlife and soil 7.7. No matter how you manage your land, but No matter how you manage your land, but y g y ,y g y ,

especially if you practice passive management, especially if you practice passive management, invasive and exotic species will inhabit it.invasive and exotic species will inhabit it.

Habitat Elements Habitat Elements on Your Landon Your Land

Activity 15 Activity 15 –– Page 53Page 53

Special Section onSpecial Section on unanticipated issues with wildlife - Pg 54

•Deer

•Cats

Common Invasive & Exotic SpeciesCommon Invasive & Exotic SpeciesDo you recognize them? Do you recognize them? Choosing Projects Choosing Projects ––

Menu driven table helps landowners identify & rankidentify & rank objectives with some suggested broad project ideas. Similar table for other objectives

Make a Timetable Make a Timetable –– Spell out DetailsSpell out DetailsLesson 5 Lesson 5 –– page 74page 74

Part of Activity 19 – Project schedule for each unit – Pg 75

Record Your ProgressRecord Your ProgressLesson 6 Lesson 6 –– Page 76Page 76--7777

Important: Take pictures…

Land Management TechniquesLand Management Techniques““Taking forestry to the backyard”Taking forestry to the backyard”Opportunities for Service ProvidersOpportunities for Service Providers

►►Best management practicesBest management practices►►Brush pilesBrush piles

C t fiC t fi►►Create campfire area Create campfire area ►► Firewood cuttingFirewood cutting►► Food plotsFood plots►►Mast treesMast trees►►Tree planting Tree planting ►►Trails & roadsTrails & roads►►Much more…Much more…

Application of Common Forest Application of Common Forest Management TechniquesManagement Techniques

Planting trees Planting trees with shelters for with shelters for deer protectiondeer protection

Firewood thinningFirewood thinning

Creating Creating a snag by a snag by girdlinggirdling

What Now?What Now?

►►Offer twoOffer two--night workshops one week apart in counties night workshops one week apart in counties that are interested. that are interested.

►►Developing list of consultant foresters and loggers Developing list of consultant foresters and loggers interesting in working on smaller acreage properties. interesting in working on smaller acreage properties. C ti d ti l ff t ith i d tC ti d ti l ff t ith i d t►►Continue educational efforts with green industry Continue educational efforts with green industry professionals (landscapers professionals (landscapers and arborists). and arborists).

►►Training Training for loggers & forest industry to help them learn for loggers & forest industry to help them learn how to work with this clientele.how to work with this clientele.

www.naturalresources.umd.eduwww.naturalresources.umd.edu

Jonathan KaysExtension Specialist Natural ResourcesUniversity of Maryland Cooperative Extension

[email protected]

301-432-2767 x323

WIYB Manual A First StepWIYB Manual A First Step

►► 138 pages138 pages►► 91 color photos91 color photos►► 20 activities20 activities►► 8 tables8 tables

Published by Natural Resource, Agriculture,

and Engineering Service (NRAES)

www.nraes.org

$►► Workbook Workbook PLUSPLUS►► Diagrams, Figures, Case Diagrams, Figures, Case

Studies, WorksheetsStudies, Worksheets►► Glossary, Resources, Glossary, Resources,

AppendicesAppendices

List Price - $18 (bulk discounts available)

Contents of Resource CD for Volunteers available for download (Powerpoints, fact sheets, brochure, other resources)

www.naturalresources.umd.edu

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