How to Manage Your Two Acre Forest

Small forests on private property are often maintained through creating an annual care plan.

Owning property comes with certain responsibilities and rewards. A forest is a source of peaceful solitude in its raw, natural state, or you can shape it to suit landscaping plans. Thin with care and try not to disturb the homes of nesting animals. The key element to owning a large property is maintenance -- it can feel like a non-stop job unless you lay out doable goals for the proper season and fit in smaller tasks as you're able. Having the right tools and equipment makes a world of difference, as does a conscious approach to working with nature.

Things You'll Need

• Garden equipment
• Tools for cutting wood
• Mower
• Calendar

Instructions

1. Get a general blank calendar and write in a few key times and projects as they come up seasonally. Keep the calendar and refer to it so you don't forget something important to the routine. Conduct tasks like clearing, burning, wildlife checks, plant care, debris removal or thinning. If you have a road through the forest property, checking for cracks or holes in the pavement or replacing gravel is one item to note.

2. Inspect the acreage when you first get the land, then periodically throughout the year. Check for fallen trees, large ground holes, problems with blocked water sources such as creeks or streams, as well as animal dwellings or trails. Get a good sense for the land by walking every part of it. Take photographs for the record and jot down notes in a note pad of maintenance areas that may need attention later on.

3. Evaluate whether or not you want to keep all the trees or clear an area for building or gardening. If the forest remains without major alterations, maintenance becomes the focus. Choose whether to keep the land in a rustic, natural state or if you want to thin it and bring in plants, flowers, water features and have a more park-like, manicured setting. The more you do to landscape, the more work is required to stay on top of the task list.

4. Clear fire hazards, debris and old junk you find on the property. Haul garbage off to proper waste and recycling sites. The debris can come from may sources that have nothing to do with you, such as people trampling through, kids hiding or playing, or visitors. Check for debris monthly or weekly, or whenever you have the chance.

5. Cut fallen trees for firewood to use, sell or give away, or invite others to haul it off. Some fallen trees are good for the ecosystem and contribute as nursery logs, but if they are dangerously positioned or located where you don't want them, remove them accordingly.

6. Cull invasive species such as vines, weeds, unwanted shrubs and other growth early in the spring before they can take over. Try to get them from the roots with pitchforks, shovels or pickaxes so as to avoid new growth encroaching. If you have wild berries on the property, consider leaving some for the wild animals, and for you and your family, but cut them back periodically to encourage growth where you actually do want it.

7. Create pathways by finding natural patterns between the trees. Paths are not difficult to maintain if you make them wide enough for a riding mower or other tools to move through as well. Leave a section for a manicured landscape, by leading the paths through natural curves that blend into the overall scheme. Create paths out of dirt or plant them with clover or easy to maintain grass, as well as pebbles, bark or gravel. The costs of maintaining stone paths are higher than planting clover, so weigh out the options in advance.

8. Add lighting along pathways or outdoor areas where you may walk at night or in the evenings. Small solar-powered lights at the edges of planted areas are useful. The lights also may prevent unwanted wildlife from coming near a residence. Add landscaping items, or move stones from the property or just leave the forest closer to a raw state.

9. Re-inspect for any fallen limbs and damage after every major storm or high winds.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a creek or stream in the forested area that serves as a fish habitat, be very careful with letting agriculture or insect repellent toxins escape into the water.

• Fencing can sometimes keep wildlife or unwanted human visitors out, but check your perimeters periodically for tampering or damage.

• Get the family involved by including partners, kids, relations and friends who live nearby for the big work efforts.

• Contact your local fire department for burning permits at the right time of year for your area. Make sure you follow all the appropriate laws and safety requirements so as not to torch the entire forest. Have water supply via a hose at the ready.

• If you build an outdoor fire pit, make sure it is in a safe area away from limbs and branches that can catch on fire.

References

• Penn State; Designing forest landscape management; E. Z. Baskent, G. A. Jordan, and A. M. M. Nurullah
• University of Nebraska, Lincoln; A Place in the Country: The Acreage Owner's Guide; 2011
• Oklahoma Cooperative Ext. Service: Managing Your Woodlot for Firewood; Dave Marcouiller and Steven Anderson

Resources

• WSU; Small Acreage Landholder Outreach Program; Douglas M. Stienbarger, Penny Ramey; 2003
• CSU Ext.; Small Acreage Management - Trees and Woodlands; 2011
• US Forest Service