Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Forest Management Techniques: Use of Fire, Herbicide, and Small Ruminants

Kiko goats utilizing the understory vegetation in woodlands,
Tuskegee, AL, USA
Katahdin rams in southern-pine forest, Tuskegee, AL, USA
Forests are predominantly used for timber production. Presence and growth of non-timber species in the system compete with timber species and add to the forest-fuel build up, which increases potential fire hazards. Common techniques practiced to control the non-timber (or unwanted) species are prescribed burning, use of herbicides, and grazing with small ruminants. Alabama Forest Owners' Association has live talks available on these methods, which can be very useful to farmers and landowners, and are listed below: