28.00 Describe the role of forests and their growth in the environment

and society

Role of Forests in the Environment

Forests

28.01 Describe the impact of forests, their products, and processing on our environment, economy, and society.

ForestsA mixture of trees, shrubs, plants, and

animalsA community of sortA balanced ecosystem

Early days…An asset

Produced wood, which was exported Game, which was used for food

Problem/EnemyMany trees had to be removed to grow crops

Plains states and Southwest were too dry to support forests.

Forestry: Keeping NC Green and Growing

United States ForestryProduction of forests has increased though

the acreage has not risen.

Explain this?

LimitationsTypes of trees that will grow in an area are

affected by:ClimateSoil TypeAltitude

Forest RegionsWest CoastWesternCentral HardwoodTropicalNorthern Southern

Forest Regions of the United States

Northern Coniferous ForestSoftwoods, between Canada and the U.S. borders

are soft and hardwoods. Region has swamps, rivers, lakes and marshes. The climate is cold, this is the largest forest in North America. Trees that dominate are evergreens and pulpwood trees. Species of importance include white spruce, Sitka spruce, black spruce, jack pine, black pine, tamarack and western hemlock

Northern Hardwoods ForestRegion reaches from Southeastern Canada to New

England to the northern Appalachian Mountains. It is populated by beech, maple, hemlock and birch trees

Central Broad-leaved forestLocated east of the Mississippi river, a farming

region mostly owned by private entities. Wood of high quality is produced here, hardwoods such as maple, beech, hickory, oak, poplar, gum, walnut, cherry, ash, cottonwood and sycamore.

Southern ForestIn the southeast portion of the United States

(covers Delaware to Florida and Oklahoma to Texas) It is the forest with the most potential for reaching future lumber needs. Conifers are the most important trees in this forest, including Virginia, long leaf, loblolly, shortleaf and slash pines. Hardwoods included are Oak, Poplar, maple and walnut

Bottomland Hardwoods ForestFound along the Mississippi River, contains mostly

hardwood trees, the soil is highly fertile which hardwoods such as oak, tupelo and cypress thrive in.

Pacific Coast ForestCalifornia, Oregon and Washington also the most

productive forest in the United States. Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, hemlock, western red cedar, Sitka Spruce, sugar pine, and noble fir are some of the conifers found in this region. Important hardwoods are Oak, cottonwood, maple and alder

Rocky Mountain ForestMuch less productive than the other forests in North

America. Western Pines are the trees of commercial value including western white pine, lodge pole pine and ponderosa pine. Aspen is the only hardwood grown in this area of commercial importance.

Tropical ForestLocated in Southern Texas and Florida. Major trees

in this forest are Mahogany, mangrove and Bay which are all unimportant commercially, but ecologically important.

Hawaiian ForestThe wet forest region grows ohia, boa, tree fern,

kuka, tropical ash, mamani and eucalyptus. These woods are used in the production of furniture and novelties.

Benefits of ForestsTranspiration by trees cools the air

As much as 8o less than the surrounding areaAct as windbreaksQuieten NoiseRelease oxygen into the airConserve soil and waterProvide homes for wildlifeProvide recreation, rest, solace, and nature

study for people.

Forest productsWOOD!Converted to:

PaperCharcoalRayonCellulosePhotographic Film

Wood FiberSimulated leatherShatterproof glassImitation vanillaArtificial hair

Products from commercial treesNuts and fruitsOils, decorations, extractsResins, gums, turpentineMulch, tannin, drugs, oils, dyesSugar, syrupVeneer, charcoal, pitch, pine oilPoles, postsPaper, paper products, wall boardsLumber, bolts, timber, wastes, ties

Relationship between forests and other natural resources

Forests play important roles in the water cycleAs water circulates from oceans to rivers to lakes, the forest

filters the rain as it falls and serve as storage areas. A forest regulates water flow, making it possible for fish and other animal and plant life to survive

Forests filter rain and help reduce the erosion of soilsTrees and shrubs are responsible for removing much of the

pollutant materials from the air and water run off. They also help reduce the harmful effects of excess fertilizer that enters underground water systems.

Forests and living organisms have many relationshipsAlgae, fungi, mosses, and other plants make their homes in the

forest. Forests also provide shelter, food, protection and nesting sites for many species of birds and fish. Shade provided by the forest maintains proper water temperatures for the growth and reproduction of aquatic life.

Forests and wildlife relationships greatly varyDepending on species, the wildlife in each forest region varies

due to climate and harvesting times

SummaryAffect our climateControl erosion on our landsProvide wildlife habitatsProvide recreational areas for humans Benefit society

Tree Anatomy

28.02 – Describe the parts of a tree and their functions.

Parts of a TreeRoot SystemTrunk Crown

Root SystemFunction of Roots

Anchor and support the treeTake in water and nutrients from the soilHelp to hold soil in place and improve soil

qualityStore manufactured food

Root hairs take in (absorb) water and nutrients

TrunkFunctions

Supports the crownTransports sap (water and nutrients) to the

crown through xylem and sapwoodTransports food from crown to roots through

the phloemAnnual rings determine the age of the tree

Mature Trunk Heartwood

Center of trunk, darker in colorSapwood

Outside the heartwood, lighter coloredTransports water and nutrients upward from the roots

CambiumSurrounds the sapwood

Inner barkKnown as phloemTransports food downward from the leaves to the roots

Outer barkProvides protection from drying to the inner bark

CrownBranches, twigs, buds, and leaves of the

treeFunctions

Leaves are chemical factory of the treeFood production is a result of photosynthesis

CO2 + H2O + sunlight + chlorophyll = C6H12O6 + O2

Transpiration – evaporation of excess water from stomata

Food is manufactured Seeds, fruits, nuts, and berries are produced

Common North Carolina Trees

29.01 Identify common NC trees based on physical characteristics.

American ElmLeaves are oval,

long, curved and pointed, sharply toothed margins

Bark is dark grayCommon on

bottomlands75-100 feet,

diameter 2-5 feet

American HollyLeaves are spiny,

wavy-edged, 2-4 inches long, dark green in color

Red berries on female trees

Bark is light gray, roughened wart-like growths

15-40 feet by 1-2 feet

American Sycamore3-4 lobed leaves,

shallow sinuses, 4-7 inches long and broad, palmate, toothed margins

Multi-colored, mottled trunks

Fruit is a ball 1” diameter

80-110 feet by 3-8 feet

Bald CypressLeaves are ½ to3/4

inches long and are arranged in a featherlike fashion along two sides of small branchlets

Trunk has a broad, fluted based “knee”

Bark is dark reddish brown to silver and is finely divided by longitudinal fissures

Swamplands

Black WalnutLeaves are alternate,

12-24 inches long, 15-23 sharply oval, finely toothed, leaflets that are 2 inches long, pinnately compound

Bark is thick dark brown to black, deep fissures

Lower slopes to bottomlands

50-90 feet by 2-3 feet

Common PersimmonLeaves are broadly

oblong, pointed, 4-6 inches long, small dark veins on the underside

Fruit is reddish purple, 1-2 inches and only on females

Bark is dark and deeply divided in to small, square plates

Not found in mountainsUsed to make

clubheads for golf clubs

Eastern Red CedarLeaves are smooth,

dark green, 1/16 inch in length, whorls of three

Bark is light reddish-brown, think and separates into long, peeling, fibrous strips

Found all over40-50 feet by 1-2

feet

Eastern White PineNeedles are bluish-

green, 3-5 inches, clusters of five, white line on two surfaces of each needle

Bark is smooth, greenish on young, dark gray on old

Cones are 4-8 inchesDoes best in mountains100 feet by 4 feetLargest conifer in East

U.S.

Loblolly Pine Needs occur in clusters of

three and are 6-9 inches long

Oblong cones are 2-6 inches long, with a spine at the tip of each scale

Mature bark is thick, bright reddish to brown and is divided by shallow fissures

Coastal Plain throughout the eastern Piedmont

90-110 feet by 2-3 feet Most common and

commercially important pine

Red MapleLeaves are 3-5 lobed,

serrated, 2-6 inches long

Samaras are reddish in color, V-shaped

Bark is smooth and light gray on young, dark gray on old

40-70 feet by 1-2 feet

River BirchLeaves are oval,

pointed, double toothed serrated margins

Bark varies from reddish brown to cinnamon red in color and peel back tough papery layers

Found on rivers, swamps… not in high mountains

60-80 feet by 1-2 feet

Shagbark HickoryLeaves are 8-14 inches

long with five (rarely 7) leaflets that are tapered, oval, smoth, and finely toothed

Bark is light gray that separates into thick plates a foot or more long

Tree likes damp soilHickory Nuts60-80 feet by 1-2 feet

Southern Red Oak Irregularly shaped lobes

that are narrow and bristle tipped or pear-shaped with three rounded lobes

Leaves are dark green above and tan below, 5-9 inches long

Bark is rough light gray on young, dark gray on old

60-80 feet by 2-3 feet Higher ridges of Coastal

Plain and throughout Piedmont

SweetgumLeaves are star

shaped, 5 deeply separated lobes

Bark is light gray, corky scales

60-80 feet by 2-3 feetGrows in swamps,

rivers, and even on drier uplands

Large, valuable forest tree

White OakLeaves are 5-9 inches,

7-9 rounded lobesAcorn is ¾ inche long

and chestnut brown when mature

Thin bark is light gray and covered in loose scales on broad plates

Abundant in the Piedmont and lower mountains, found in Coastal Plains

80-100 feet by 3-4 feet

Yellow PoplarTulip tree, composed of

four large lobes, 5-6 inches long

Bark is light grayFlowers are tulip-like90-110 feet by 2-5 feetGrows best in deep

moist soils of streams and lower mountains

Greenish yellow heartwood

Measuring the Forest

29.02 Apply tree measurement techniques and skills that are used by professional foresters.

Board footStandard unit of measurement for lumberSold in board feetDefinition

Piece of rough wood one foot long, one foot wide, and one inch thick

Volume is equal to 144 cubic inchesFormula

Length (feet) x width (inches) x thickness (inches) 12

Length x width x thickness (all in inches) 144

Cubic footAnother unit of measureEqual to the amount of wood needed to fill

a space one foot wide, one foot thick, and one foot high

FormulaLength x width x thickness (inches) 1728

CordWas a common measure for pulpwoodCommon now for firewoodDefined as a stack of wood 4 feet x 4 feet x

8 feetFormula for computing cords in a stack of

woodLength x width x height (all in feet) 128

Gross weight Actual weight of the woodEasy to use for selling pulpwoodEnsures the buyer fresh wood because

green wood is heavier, having more water.

Measuring Tree DiameterVolume is determined by its diameter and

lengthMeasured at DBH (diameter at breast

height)Thickness across the truck at 4.5’ above the

ground. Recorded in 2” increments and rounded to

nearest inch10.9 inch = 10 inches11.1 inch = 12 inches

Measuring Tree DiameterDendrometers

Biltmore stickLeast accurateCommon and quick to useHeld at 25 inches from one eye against the tree at

DBH

Measuring Tree DiameterTree Calipers

One side of caliper is placed against the treeOther side is placed on the other side of the

treeMeasurement is read from caliper.

Diameter TapeTape is wrapped around the trunk at 4.5’Read directly.

Measuring Tree Height Only includes the USABLE length of trunkSawtimber

Expressed in 16 foot logs, called merchantable logs

Sometimes, 8 or 32 feet lengths may be used.

Measured From height of the stump to where the cutoff

diameter is either:6-8 inches for sawtimber4 inches for pulpwood

Measuring Tree Height Hypsometer

Biltmore Stick – most common, older, and least expensive

Abney LevelHager altimeterSuunto clinometer

Using the Biltmore StickLocate log scale, or Merritt Scale, on the

stickStep away 66 feet from treeHold stick 25 inches from the eyeLine up base of stick with stump height of

treeWithout moving the stick or your head,

sight upward along the trunk to estimate cutoff diameter point

Read the number from the scale.

Estimating Timber Volume Need to know to estimate board feet or

pulpwood volume DBHSmall-end diameterNumber of logs or bolts

Rules or Tables usedDoyle’s RuleScribners ruleInternational rule

More complexMore accurateUsed in CDE

Estimating standing timber volume

Measuring and calculating come togetherForester must be able to make an accurate

estimation of the volume of wood in a stand of timber

CruisingCould be done by estimating each individual tree

selected for useGenerally done by using a sampling of trees.

Forest Management Techniques

29.03 Describe cutting and reproducing techniques used in the forestry industry to improve forest quality

Intermediate CuttingsCuttings made between reproduction and

harvest in a forestDifferent types depending on:

ClimateTree Species Owner/manager objectives

ThinningWhen only some of

the trees in the stand are removed

Reduces the competition for essential needs from other trees

LiberationRemoval of the

taller, dominant trees from a stand

SanitationCutting that

removes the injured, diseased, or insect-infested trees from the stand

SalvageCutting that

involves removal of trees that are dead or damaged by storms, construction, etc.

RemovalRemoval of

undesirable trees involves removing trees that could be compared to weedsForked treesCrooked trunksPine trees in a

hardwood stand

Prescription BurningControlled burning

of the undergrowth in a forest

Harvest CuttingsSelective CuttingShelterwood CuttingSeed-tree CuttingCoppice CuttingClear Cutting

Selective CuttingIndividual trees are

selected for harvest based on maturity, size, species, etc.

Goals are to produce an income and a better timber yield

Shelterwood CuttingHarvesting a

mature forest in two or three stages

Seed-tree CuttingThe entire stand is

removed except for a few of the best trees that are left to produce seeds

Coppice CuttingSimilar to seed-tree

cuttingRather than

remaining trees providing seed, the remaining trees develop root suckers to produce new trees

Clear CuttingAll the trees in a

stand are harvested at one time

Most economical and most controversial

Reproducing the ForestNatural SeedingDirect SeedingCuttingsPlant Seedlings

Natural SeedingAllowing trees to

naturally reseed to produce new growth

EconomicalLeast amount of

control by the forest manager

Direct SeedingApplying tree seeds

directly to the desired area

Can be done by:HandSeed spreadersGrain drillsAircraft

CuttingsCuttings can be

taken from existing trees, allowed to root, and then planted

Plant SeedlingsPlanting a nursery-

produced seedlingMore labor and

expensiveAllows complete

control over reproduction

Tends to get results quickly

Plant Seedling ContinuedSome states offer

government rebates to landowners who reforest their land after harvest

The most certain and quickest way to reproduce trees