Owner's
name______________________________________________ Location of Property
See
sketch map
Street
Address______________________________________________
City_____________________
State______________ Zip____________
Areas
Covered in Recommendations 125 ______________________
Aerial Photos________________
LANDOWNER
PRIMARY GOAL STATEMENT
The
Club's only goal is to provide habitat to maximize the eastern cottontail
rabbit population for purposes of field trials and related activities. Management for rare or endangered species is
assumed desirable, however, none are known to exist in
this parcel pursuant to a review of the Natural Heritage Mapping System.
SPECIFIC
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS (sketch map, additional sheets may be attached.)
This gently to steeply sloping
old agricultural property has reverted back to both shrub and tree cover. Efforts have been made by the club to set
back the successional stage so that suitable habitat is maintained for
cottontail rabbit. Annual mowing as well
as planting programs have been undertaken on those
acres that are relatively close to the club house and because of slopes and
soils are suitable for this improvement activity. A significant portion of this property is in
a wooded condition comprised of tree species common to this general area of
_____County including white pine, red oak, white oak, sugar maple and ironwood.
A timber harvest was conducted
on a southern portion on the property several years ago and a smaller area is now being cut by a logging contractor.
The Club has identified the need
to erect a fence around the perimeter of the property primarily as a safety
matter during field trials. Interior
fences are also desired to separate trial areas. Fencing may have a very minimal positive
effect on rabbit populations by reducing road kill. It can also have a negative effect in
restricting rabbit movement onto the Club property from adjacent habitat.
A major utility line that runs
north and south bisects this parcel.
This area is maintained in a low vegetative cover, which might be
considered an asset for wildlife habitat.
Hunting for species other than cottontail rabbit is undertaken on this
parcel. Many portions of it are quite
conducive to supporting game species such as white tail deer, squirrels, ruffed
grouse, wild turkey, as well as, a number of non-game species including various
song birds, raptors and small mammals.
A variety of soil types are
encountered on this parcel, each exhibiting various potential and limiting
factors. The major sols include the
following:
Nunda (NuB, C, D, E) - These
soils are generally very deep and moderately well drained. During the construction of roads or trials or
other facilities involving soils disturbance a moderate erosion hazard is
exhibited.
Forester______________________________Telephone______________________Date______________
City_________________________State_______________Zip__________________
As
owner, I (we) agree that this management plan reflects my goals and intentions
for management of this property.
______________________________________________
Signature
Burdett silt loam (BuB, C) - These are generally very deep and somewhat poorly drained soils that exhibit a seasonal high water table.
Lordstown channery silt loam (LoD) - This is moderately deep well drained soil.
Madalin silt loam (Ma) - These are very deep, poor to very poorly drained soils that exhibit a seasonal high water table.
A variety of different habitat types ranging from open grassy areas to mature wood lots can be found on this property. Each of these different types are inhabited by various species of wildlife that are indigenous to this general area of _____County, Primary emphases has been put on increasing the habitat for cottontail rabbit. These areas are also quite beneficial to species including various songbirds, predators such as fox and coyote as well as various hawks and owls.
To maximize habitat potential for cotton tail rabbit production it is suggested that for each 5 acres of land area the following cover types be available: 2 acres open grassy feeding areas, 2 acres of shrub and low tree cover for resting and feeding areas and 1 acre of low conifer escape cover. Brush piles, stone walls and artificial escape areas (such as those then are made of piles of old tires) at the rate of approximately 4 to 6 per acre should also be available to maximize populations, Escape structures as described above will have a positive effect on populations, however, it may be viewed a negative factor in that rabbits will tend to "hole up" at these locations if pushed by dogs.
Establishment of conifer cover should be done on a minimum of 1/2 acre blocks with a minimum of 6 rows of trees spaced at either 4 ' widths for juniper and dense spruce or 6 ' for spruce. Block sizes at the 4 ' spacing interval will be approximately 24 ' wide and 870 ' long. At the 6 ' spacing black size is about 36 ' wide and 625 ' long. These blocks must be placed close enough to each other (No more than several hundred feet) to allow movement between them and be connected with shrub and low tree cover. Trees per acre for 4 ' spacing is 2,722 and 6 ' spacing 1, 210.
Prior to planting competing vegetation such as dog wood and other shrubs, large herbaceous plants and hard wood trees saplings must be reduced to ground level. After planting these competing plants shall be controlled by mowing or brush sawing at least twice annually for about 3 to 4 years until seedlings become well established. It should be anticipated that theses conifer plantations (white spruce) would need to be rotated (clear cut and replanted) approximately every 15 to 20 years in order to maintain low conifer cover. Species such as douglas fir, scotch pine, austrian pine and red pine are not recommended for these plantings.
Establishment
of grass legume "feeding" areas will involve the planting of
grasses such as
On sites with some limitations, such as slope and soils, a "frost" seeding of white clover to enhance the forge opportunities in existing areas of grass cover will provide some benefit. During the early spring as the frost is starting to melt, the hand broadcast seeding of white clover can be done. If feasible, cultivating area with a disk will enhance seeding survival. Areas of dog wood cover are not good candidates for disking, however, strips that are primarily in grasses may benefit. Legumes (clover) should be mixed with fresh rhizobium inoculum prior to planting.
Seeding of grasses and clovers should be maintained by mowing approximately every third year. Mowing height should be no less than 4 " as cutting below this point may adversely affect the ability of clover to survive. Mowing on shorter intervals is not needed in order to maintain a grass - clover seeding based upon S. C. S. recommendations.
Seedings and establishment of clover for rabbits are best done on properties with southern aspects. The temperature regimes and snow accumulations associated with such slopes is more conducive to maximizing rabbit populations. Much of the Club's property has a north, west or east slopes with a small section of stand #7 having a true southerly aspect.
Staghorn sumac is considered as a significant winter food source for rabbits. Smaller younger shoots (less than 7 - 10 years in age) are desirable. Areas of the property that currently have sumac established can be enhanced by cutting the larger older stems (3" to 4 " or greater in diameter) and allowing it to sprout naturally. This would be a good shrub species to consider planting additional quantities of in areas of semi open brushy fields. This should be considered a component of the 2 acres of shrub cover noted being important in rabbit habitat. Periodic regeneration of the shrub, by cutting it back to ground level to encourage sprouting should be done 7 - 10 years intervals.
Wild apple trees can be a significant source of food to wildlife. Typically such trees if grown in a wooded condition start to decline when adjacent hard woods and soft woods over top them and compete for available sun light. Apple trees can be rejuvenated by releasing them from competing vegetation by cutting adjacent over topping trees and pruning back the tops to encourage young growth which will relate to higher fruit production. This activity is cost shareable under the Stewardship Incentives Program and if trees are located and identified on this parcel this would be an excellent activity to consider. Up to twenty trees per acre should be done, as this will provide a maximum benefit.
Converting
areas of forest growth to some open brushy cover may provide some fair cover
for additional rabbit habitat. Again,
the components of grassy feeding areas, shrub cover and soft wood cover are
important components of good habitat. In
areas of forest growth, all large trees could be felled to increase sunlight on
the forest floor. Increased light will
encourage growth of some herbaceous plants and grasses.
Whenever any type of commercial harvest is contemplated it is suggested that the services of a professional forester be utilized to mark those trees for sale based upon the biological as well as the economic needs of the club. Secondly, such professional forester can assist in the soliciting of competitive bids and execution of a sales contract with a potential buyer. He can help supervise harvesting activities to ensure that the specifications in the contract are lived up to by the purchaser.
SPECIFIC STAND RECOMMENDATION
Stand No.1 This gently to moderately sloping area has been the most intensely worked site on this parcel for rabbit habitat. It is a series of mowed paths intermingled with strips of shrub and tree growth. Some conifers have been planted in an attempt to provide low ground cover during the winter months for the native rabbit population.
It is suggested that an additional 8 acres of this stand be planted to soft wood cover as described above in this management plan. Approximately 8 acres of area devoted to the establishment of shrub cover should be planted with sumac to increase winter food. Approximately 5 acres of seeding with clover could be done on areas that are devoid of this species of forage. Proper site preparation through the elimination of competitive plants by plowing and disking would be necessary. Liming and fertilization necessary to guarantee survival of the planting would also be covered under the cost share program. The Club might consider establishing these new plantings immediately adjacent to those areas that are contemplated for planting of conifer ground cover.
Stand No. 2 This moderately to steeply sloping area is similar in nature to Stand No. 1, however, because of the slopes less intensive management work has been done. As a result more and larger diameter trees have become established on this site. The establishment of 2 acres of conifer and regeneration of sumac as described above is suggested for this stand. Releasing and pruning of fruit trees is also suggested.
Stand No. 3 This gently to moderately sloping area contains saw timber (12+ dbh) and pole (6-11 dbh) sized hard wood trees including red oak, walnut, soft maple, aspen and other commonly associated northern hard wood species. Currently the Club has a contract with a logging contractor to harvest timber from this area. For this reason no management recommendations are being made at this time.
Stand No. 4 This moderately sloping area appears to have once been either an old field or perhaps pasture lot that has been abandoned and has reseeded to native hardwood and soft wood trees. White, red and black oak as well as hickory and numerous amounts of pole-sized ironwood are found in this Stand. Current stocking density is low to moderate, quality fair and site potential fair due to the soils encountered. The only work that would be suggested at this time would be an improvement cut removing primarily the ironwood and obviously defective trees for fire wood either for use by the Club or its members. The ironwood has become quite prolific in the under story due probably either to selective grazing by domestic livestock or browsing by white tail deer in the area. By removing the ironwood additionally growing space will be made available so that desirable native hardwoods including oak and hickory will seed into the area. Some white pine is also found in this Stand, which can be significant timber resource in future years. Any wild apple trees that are found in this area or adjacent stands would benefit from the releasing and pruning cut to encourage young growth. As mentioned earlier this activity is potentially cost shareable under the Stewardship Incentives Program. This Stand should be reinspected approximately 10 years after the ironwood is cut for firewood to assess additional management needs and opportunities.
Stand No. 5 This gently to moderately sloping area again appears to be an old farm field that has reverted back to native growth. Species in this area are dominated by white pine, red maple, as well as, red oak, sugar maple, ironwood, ash, aspen and other commonly associated northern hard wood species. Some scattered saw timber size stems are found but noted that it is somewhat variable from spot to spot. Quality could be considered fair to good and site potential good. The Club may wish to consider converting this stand to more open low cover for rabbit habitat as described above.
Stand No. 6 This moderately sloping area is primarily an old agricultural field that has seeded back to native white pine. Hardwood species including oak, ash and maple area also found but is a relatively minor component of this Stand. Stocking density in this pole to problems in the pine, and site potential good. Again, no specific management recommendations are being made at this time, as there is a current agreement between the Club and a harvesting contractor for the sale of forest productions from this area.
Stand No. 7 This moderately to steeply sloping area is an intensively managed area for cottontail rabbit habitat. Some planting of soft woods including spruce and douglas fir has been done in the past as well as mowing grassy strips. Dogwood is quite numerous in this area and has dominated quite a bit of the acreage involved. The soils in this area are not quite as conductive to considering establishing good plots as in Stand No. 1. It is suggested, however, that additional planting of soft woods be considered on those sites that are prepared properly by reducing competitive vegetation. Approximately 3 acres of additional tree planting could be done. Approximately 4 acres of open grassy cover could be improved by the planting of white clover. Follow instructions given above for a frost seeding. About 4 acres of sumac be planted in areas devoted to shrub growth as described above.
Stand No. 8 This gently to steeply sloping area contains a maturing stand of red, black and white oak mixed with hickory, sugar maple, white pine, hemlock, white ash and other commonly associated northern hard wood species. Stocking density is low to moderate, quality good and site potential fair to good. This area was harvested several years ago. At this time no detailed recommendations are being made for intensive work. In some areas desirable hard wood seedlings have become established which now provide browse for white tail deer. This area should be allowed to develop for an additional ten years at which time it should be reinspected to determine harvesting opportunities.
Recommended STP Activities
SIP #8 Wildlife habitat Enhancement.
Establishment of trees - Stand #1 8 acres
(conifer cover) Stand #2 2 acres
Stand
#7 3 acres
13 acres total
Release and pruning of fruit trees - Stand #2 9 acres (20-30 trees?)
Stand #4 9 acres (15-20 trees?)
Establishment of permanent wildlife
Stand #1 13 acres Plantings (8 sumac, 5 grass/clover)
Stand #7 8 acres Plantings (4 sumac, 4 clover)