6 Steps to a Forest Management Plan

1. 6 Steps to a Forest Management Plan

2. Learn from others. Talk to: • Neighbours, • Members of the Ontario Woodlot association • The Ministry of Natural Resources forest staff • The Ministry of Agriculture • Local Stewardship coordinators or consultants • Gather Information from websites Step 1: Gather Background Information

3. Get information on your property such as: • Maps: • Township maps with boundaries, • Topographic maps • Arial photos, Forest stand map • Soil map • Forest and ecological information • History • Wildlife information Step 1: Gather Background Information

4. When developing objectives, ask yourself: • What do I want my forest to look like in 20 years? • What do I need to know now to start working towards this vision? • What am I capable of: time, equipment, financially? • What type of help will I need along the way? • Objectives are either short term or long term in scope Step 2: Develop Management objectives

5. Short Term: • Over the next 5 years I plan to: • Thin my red pine plantation • Plant 500 Tree each spring • Tap 100 Maples each year Long Term: • Over the next 20 years, I plan to: • Promote hardwood regeneration in my Red Pine plantation • Supplement my annual income with maple syrop sales Step 2: Develop Management objectives

6. A resource inventory will: • Provide a snapshot of your agroforestry assets • State the condition of your woodland • Plan potential agroforestry activities • Planting windbreaks or wetland buffers • Location for new roads or trails Step 3: Conduct a Resource Inventory (Stand Analysis)

7. A woodlot inventory will help you answer the following questions: • What do I have? • How can I realize my objectives for the woodlot? • Are my objectives realistic? • Should it be thinned? If so, by how much? • Which trees should be removed? Step 3: Conduct a Resource Inventory (Stand Analysis)

8. Assess and select a silviculture system • Many woodlots are in the tolerant hardwood group, and are most suited for the selection system • Some may be more suited to a shelterwood system if the goal is to increase the composition of shade intolerants in the stand • Identify business goals • Short term income or long term investments? • Use to burn fuelwood or use wood product • Planning to produce maple syrup? Step 4: Develop and evaluate management options

9. Protect the environment • Assess the impact of management on wildlife habitat goals, recreational needs and the protection of fragile and natural areas. • Look at agroforestry options • Could you connect natural areas with windbreaks or tree buffer strips? Step 4: Develop and evaluate management options

10. The management plan can be a formal document or an informal file. The written portion includes: • Description of goals and objectives • Description of woodlot (Woodlot inventory) • Description of long and short term goals • Management plan and prescriptions (actions to achieve goals) • Records for income, expenses, harvest volumes, cost for reforestation and other information. Step 5: Develop a management plan

11. Follow the management prescriptions Have trees marked by a qualified tree marker Put the marked trees up for tender to a group of local reputable loggers Develop a contract with the logger of your choice Harvest the marked trees using a qualified logger Conduct a post harvest assessment Step 6: Implement your plan