Efficient and Effective Forest Land Management

Forest land management is the process of planning, organizing, and overseeing the use of forests and forest resources. Forest land managers like Georgia Pine Straw work to ensure that these activities are conducted in a sustainable manner so that forests can continue to provide benefits for generations to come.

We specialize in timber stand improvement, working against thinning practices that damage lands and the plant and animal population. Commercial forestry operations usually focus on the production of timber products such as lumber, pulp, and paper. To be sustainable, all forest services must be planned and carried out in a way that considers the long-term health of the forest ecosystem.

Timber stand improvement (TSI) is a land management practice that involves manipulating a forest’s composition, structure, and/or density to improve its condition and productivity. TSI activities include thinning, pruning, prescribed burning, and/or planting.

Timber stand improvement, thinning practices, and similar forest enhancement services can provide significant economic and environmental benefits like improving wildlife habitat and water quality. The process generally requires the selective removal of trees to reduce competition and allow for the growth of larger, healthier trees.

Some examples of trees that are removed during TSI include:

• Mature trees
• Poorly formed
• Dead, dying, or diseased
• Crowding or shading out other trees
• In the way of planned future activities like roads or trails

Regarding best practices, TSI should be tailored to the specific needs of the stand being treated and the desired outcome. For example, thinning may be the primary focus if the goal is to improve timber production. However, if the objective is to create better wildlife habitats, then pruning and/or prescribed burning could take precedence.

Other TSI practices include:

• Pruning: Pruning is the selective removal of branches from a tree. It can be done for multiple reasons, including improving the tree’s form, removing damaged or dead branches, and increasing light and air penetration to the lower parts of the stand.
• Prescribed Burning: Prescribed burning is the controlled application of fire to a specific area. It is often used to manage forests by reducing the risk of uncontrolled, damaging wildfires; improving wildlife habitat; and promoting the growth of desired plants.
• Planting: Planting introduces new trees or other plants to an area. It can be done to improve the stand’s aesthetics, provide windbreaks or privacy screens, or replenish a forest that has been degraded or clear-cut.

TSI is just one of many management practices used to maintain healthy forests. Others include fire suppression, road construction, and grazing.