Managing the Forest

Introduction . Active Management . Management Practices for Different Forest Types
Planting Trees for Conservation . Planting Windbreaks . Forest Management Links

Note: You will need Acrobat 5.0, or higher to open the following PDF files.

Introduction

Colorado’s forests are known for their diversity and beauty. They afford homes to many species of wildlife, enhance water quality and quantity, filter pollutants from the air, enrich outdoor and recreational experiences, provide wood products, and supply jobs in local economies. However, Colorado’s historic forests have altered over the years and their sustainability has been challenged.

Colorado’s current unhealthy forest conditions can be attributed to many factors. One of the main causes has been a lack forest disturbance. Historically, forests have evolved through natural cycles of wildfire, insect and disease infestations, and other natural events. With the occurrence of additional humans and their values in the landscape, these cycles were altered primarily through aggressive fire suppression and reduced harvesting activity. Now our forests are denser and more crowded, making them increasingly susceptible to insect and disease epidemics and catastrophic wildfires.

Basic forest management principles:

• Forests are dynamic. Other than natural growth and succession, change agents include: forest fires (leading to plant succession), windstorms, diseases, insects, overly dense tree stands, forest thinning, and reforestation.
• As a forest matures, individual trees become more or less dominant while others may become overtopped. A tree's position in a stand has a significant effect on its growth rate and susceptibility to change agents.
• Where trees grow often depends on the characteristics of that tree species. Not all tree species will grow in the same area.
• Different species respond differently to different silvicultural treatments. Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health and quality of forests.
• Basal area is the area of a tree cross-section at breast height (4 1/2ft.).This includes the bark and is expressed in square feet as DBH (diameter breast height).
• Agroforestry involves afforestation and reforestation for windbreaks, increased crop yield, increased water storage, wildlife enhancement, road protection, and enhancing the landscape.
• In applying ecological principals to forest management on private land, the owner's goals and management objectives must be kept in the forefront. A landholder's management activities are driven by their objectives.

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Active Management

Approximately six million acres of private forest lands exsist in Colorado. Forests, like most natural resources, require proper management to be healthy and productive. Forest Management is the practical application of biological, physical, quantitative, managerial, economic, social, and policy principals to the regeneration, management, utilization, and conservation of forests to meet specific goals and objectives while maintaining the productivity of the forest.

By managing your forest you can protect water quality, increase habitat diversity for wildlife, and increase the growth rate of your trees. In addition, properly managed forests can provide income, reduce the risk of wildland fire, help protect trees against insects and diseases, and even increase the value of your property.

A professional forester can assist you in developing a plan and assist you in your forest management activities. Once you have identified your objectives, the forester can help you determine management strategies. Look up your forester here.

Today many private landholders are realizing the benefits of actively managing their forests. Forest management, including prescribed fire, can be used to shape healthy forests of the future.

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Management Practices for Different Forest Types

Colorado’s forest types evolved throughout our six ecoregions with varying sunlight, nutrient, water, and elevational adaptations. Thus, Colorado’s major tree species’ requirements are varied, as are the management approaches that are appropriate for these forest types.

Management practices that encourage healthy forest conditions in ponderosa pine in the montane zone will not be appropriate for lodgepole pine, spruce-fir, piñon-juniper or aspen forests. The needs of these forest types are vastly different, and therefore, effective management strategies to encourage healthy forests in these various types will vary also.

Learn more about Management Practices for Different Forest Types - under construction

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Planting Trees for Conservation

Every day, more demands are placed upon our land and natural resources. Landowners can help lessen the impact of these demands by making a personal commitment to their own property through tree planting. Few conservation efforts provide the extensive and enduring benefits that a well-designed and installed tree planting does. Join the 5,000 Coloradoans who annually plant seedling trees to benefit the environment, themselves, and their neighbors.

Learn more about planting seedling trees.

Find out what trees and shrubs are available through the CSFS Nursery in our
Buyer's Guide. (1.3 MB PDF) You will need Acrobat 5.0, or higher, to view this file.

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Planting Windbreaks

A windbreak planting of trees and shrubs creates a “wind shadow” on the leeward (downwind) side, providing that protection. This protected area extends to a distance of 15 to 20 times the height of the windbreak’s tallest trees. The most effective area extends to about 10 times the height of the windbreak (e.g., if a windbreak is 30 feet tall, wind speed is reduced by 50 percent downwind).

Because wind eddies form around the ends of a windbreak, the planting should extend 100 feet beyond the area to be protected.

Windbreak rows should be perpendicular to the prevailing winds.

Do not plant trees closer than 100 feet to roads, driveways, buildings, or other areas being protected – snow drifts and blind corners created in these areas can be hazardous.

For effective wind protection, plant at least three tree rows – the greater the density of the trees, the greater reduction in wind velocity.

Learn more about planting windbreaks in Trees for Conservation: Planning, Planting and Care. (1.84 MB PDF)

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Forest Management Links

Landowner Assistance through the CSFS
Colorado State Cooperative Extension Natural Resources Publications
Front Range Fuels Treatment Partnership
Colorado Forest Restoration Institute
Colorado Forest Products
Colorado Wood Marketing and Utilization Program
Institute for the Built Environment: Forest (Re)Building Project
Colorado Tree Farmers
Colorado Forestry Association

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