Stewardship Forestry on the Farm

Note to readers, attached is the complete final report for FNE93-016.

The site on the Freeman Tree Farm is one of eight areas established across the state to demonstrate and study alternative timber harvesting practices. One of the primary objectives of this project is to encourage responsible forest resource management. We want all visitors to embrace the forest stewardship ethic. Because many people have the opportunity to visit the Freeman Tree Farm, this site provides us access to a large number of people who care deeply about forests and who want to form educated opinions about natural resource management.

Block 1, control for comparison, nothing is removed from this plot.

Block 2, diameter-limit from below

Block 3, diameter-limit from the middle

Block 4, diameter-limit from above

Block 5, improvement thinning

Each research plot will be remeasured three years and ten years after harvesting. We will monitor factors related to plant and animal species diversity, residual and new growth, mortality and economic value of each treatment. Additional harvests may be conducted in the future to maintain density at 60 percent within the thinned treatment areas.

• FNE93-016 FINAL REPORT