“successful establishment of longleaf regeneration in the red hills of ga and fl” bill palmer,...
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Successful Establishment of LongleafSuccessful Establishment of LongleafRegeneration in Red Hills of GA & FLRegeneration in Red Hills of GA & FL
The country around Tallahassee and The country around Tallahassee and Thomasville is to quail hunting what the Thomasville is to quail hunting what the bluegrass of Kentucky is to thoroughbreds bluegrass of Kentucky is to thoroughbreds and Bordeaux is to wine.and Bordeaux is to wine.
--- Forbes Magazine--- Forbes Magazine
The Red Hills The Red Hills has been one of has been one of the few places in the few places in the southeast the southeast where fire has where fire has persisted in the persisted in the culture at the culture at the landscape level landscape level for a long period for a long period of timeof time. .
The density of timber stands should The density of timber stands should receive constant attention on the receive constant attention on the well-managed quail preserve.well-managed quail preserve.
— — Herbert L. Stoddard, Herbert L. Stoddard, The Bobwhite The Bobwhite Quail, It’s Habits, Preservation and Quail, It’s Habits, Preservation and IncreaseIncrease
Relationship between timber basal area and bobwhiteabundance
TT
SH
SH
SH
TT TT
TT
TT
LL
LL
LL
PH
PH
PH
PH
DEDE
DE
DE
SWSW
LL
SW
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Basal Area (m 2 / hectare)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Bob
whi
te C
ovey
Cou
nt
r = -0.6118, p = 0.0019
Herbert L. Stoddard, Sr., Pioneering Wildlife Ecologist and Founder of Tall Timbers Research Station
Herbert L. Stoddard, Sr.Wade Tract - circa 1950
Developed the Developed the Stoddard-Neel MethodStoddard-Neel Methodof Forest Managementof Forest Management
Leon NeelGreenwood - circa 2001
Natural Disturbance Regime(s) of the Coastal Plain
• Fire (natural and anthropogenic origin)– Lightning strikes kill individual trees– Frequent low intensity (1-5 yr interval)– Fire intensity can intensify during drought,
mortality resulting• Wind
– Significant player in coastal regions– Less frequent but larger scale events (Hurricanes)
• Insects/pathogens– Southern pine beetle (LL is fairly resistant) – Brown spot
Frequency of Fire:Frequency of Fire:Fire frequency is one of the most if Fire frequency is one of the most if
not the most important of all the not the most important of all the fire variables fire variables
• 3 years is a ecological threshold3 years is a ecological threshold• Shift from woody to herbaceous Shift from woody to herbaceous
dominancedominance
Is important because it is a system driver
Old-growth longleaf pine, had Old-growth longleaf pine, had been burned annually in the been burned annually in the dormant season for over 100 dormant season for over 100 yearsyears . .
No regeneration, canopy No regeneration, canopy breakdown, bracken fern breakdown, bracken fern understoryunderstory
Wade Tract ExampleWade Tract Example
In 1982 moved to growing In 1982 moved to growing season (May-June) burns on a season (May-June) burns on a 2-year cycle2-year cycle . .
Regeneration, sti l l open Regeneration, sti l l open canopy, wiregrass understorycanopy, wiregrass understory
No Soil Disturbance to No Soil Disturbance to Capture LLPCapture LLP
High Density Quail PropertyHigh Density Quail Property2-year Fire FrequencyMarch-April FiresSelecting for LLP- Mowers
Conversion of Old Field PinesUnder Planting and Gap
Planting
UNDER PLANTING LLP UNDER PLANTING LLP
Basal Areas < 60 ft^2/acreBasal Areas < 60 ft^2/acreBurn Late Spring or SummerBurn Late Spring or SummerPlant that FallPlant that FallWe use a 4x4’ spacingWe use a 4x4’ spacing¼ acre plots or 90-120’ wide strips¼ acre plots or 90-120’ wide strips
UNDER PLANTING LLP ContUNDER PLANTING LLP Cont
Herbicides (Garlon) can be used to improve Ground coverHerbicides (Garlon) can be used to improve Ground coverSpray summer prior to plantingSpray summer prior to plantingShift from forb/hardwoods to grassesShift from forb/hardwoods to grasses
Conversion of Crop Fields
Poorly Formed Trees – higher fertility sites?Generally Higher Stocking Rate - 605 TPAPruning will be needed at lower TPAGround cover to permit burning – first MAY avoid issues
Establish Ground Cover – BurningEstablish Ground Cover – BurningClump planting versus row plantingClump planting versus row planting
In a Nutshell• Stoddard-Neel System is a form of
UEA Management• Bimodal Distribution versus Reverse J• Existing LLP – Fire and Gaps• Works well with wildlife Values• Retains significant old growth portion
• Under-planting with frequent fire– May require herbicide as site prep
• Field systems require heavier stocking– Establish burnable ground cover