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Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines

Below you will find a table of contents for the Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines (Pub-FR-226 2003). Under each chapter is a list of the topics covered in that chapter. Click on the chapter title to view the chapter in PDF format.

FOREWORD (PDF, 498K)

CHAPTER 1 — WISCONSIN’S FORESTS: A QUICK OVERVIEW (PDF, 674K)

A STATEWIDE SNAPSHOT OF WISCONSIN’S FORESTS
Wisconsin’s Forests
Forest Area
Forest Types
Number of Trees
Timber Volume
Growth and Removals
Economic Importance
Biodiversity
Ownership
Urban Forests
A BRIEF HISTORY OF WISCONSIN’S FORESTS
Forests Before European/American Settlement
Forests Since European/American Settlement

CHAPTER 2 — GENERALLY ACCEPTED SILVICULTURAL PRINCIPLES SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY (PDF, 1270K)

LANDOWNER GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
SITE EVALUATION AND STAND DELINEATION
Forest Cover Types and Silvicultural Alternatives
SILVICULTURAL SYSTEMS OVERVIEW EVEN-AGED SILVICULTURAL SYSTEMS
Even-aged Harvest and Regeneration Methods
Even-aged Tending
Even-aged Harvest Considerations
UNEVEN-AGED SILVICULTURAL SYSTEMS
Uneven-aged Harvest and Regeneration Methods
Uneven-aged Tending Methods
Uneven-aged Harvest Considerations
PASSIVE OR NON-MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
SILVICULTURAL SYSTEMS SUMMARY
Table 2-1: Generally Accepted Regeneration Harvest Methods By Forest Cover Type
SALVAGE HARVESTS
UNSUSTAINABLE CUTTING METHODS
MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER 3 — WILDLIFE HABITAT (PDF, 664K)

SPECIFIC WILDLIFE HABITAT GUIDELINES
Leave Trees and Snags
Coarse Woody Debris and Slash
Conifer Retention and Regeneration
Mast
Patterns of Cutting
Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species
State Natural Areas and Rare Natural Community Types
Affected Natural
Field Survey Consultants and Other Resources
Wetland Inclusions and Seasonal Ponds
Riparian Wildlife Habitat
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER 4 — VISUAL QUALITY (PDF, 479K)

THE VALUE OF VISUAL QUALITY
A Concern for Aesthetic Quality
Benefits of Visual Quality Management
VISUAL SENSITIVITY LEVELS
Recognizing Different Levels of Visual Sensitivity
Visual Sensitivity Levels
The Value of Recognizing Different Levels of Visual Sensitivity

CHAPTER 5 — RIPARIAN AREAS AND WETLANDS (PDF, 535K)

THE VALUE OF RIPARIAN AREAS
A Transition from Aquatic to Terrestrial Ecosystems
Potential Threats to Riparian Areas: Pollutants and Impacts
Protecting Riparian Functions and Values
RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT ZONES
What Exactly is a Riparian Management Zone?
Agricultural and Urban Areas
Existing Regulations
BMPS FOR RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT ZONES
BMPs: Riparian Management Zones
BMPs: Lakes and Navigable Perennial Streams
BMPs: Navigable Intermittent Streams
BMP: Non-navigable Streams
WETLANDS
BMPs: General

CHAPTER 6 — CULTURAL RESOURCES (PDF, 436K)

CULTURAL RESOURCES
Forest Management for the Protection of Cultural Resources
What Cultural Resources Are
Economics of Cultural Resource Management (CRM)
Potential Impacts
Cultural Resource Management (CRM) and the Law
Cultural Resource In
Assessing Cultural Resources
Field Identification of Cultural Resources
Assessing Management Alternatives
When Accidental Discovery Occurs

CHAPTER 7 — FOREST SOIL PRODUCTIVITY (PDF, 508K)

THE VALUE OF FOREST SOIL PRODUCTIVITY
Sustainable Soil Productivity
SOIL CHARACTERISTICS AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Three Related Groups of Soil Characteristics
Characteristic 1: Physical Characteristics of Soil and Potential Impacts
Characteristic 2: Chemical Characteristics of Soil and Potential Impacts
Characteristic 3: Biological Characteristics of Soil and Potential Impacts
APPLYING GUIDELINES TO VARYING SITE CONDITIONS

CHAPTER 8 — ECONOMICS (PDF, 590K)

BALANCING ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS AND OTHER FOREST VALUES
BASIC FOREST MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS: THREE THINGS EVERY FOREST LANDOWNER SHOULD KNOW
1. How to Increase the Returns from Forestry Investments
2. How Forest Products Are Sold
3. How to Get Fair Market Value for Your Timber
ADVANCED FOREST ECONOMICS: AN INVESTMENT ANALYSIS PRIMER
TAX AND RECORD-KEEPING CONSIDERATIONS
The Original Basis: A Key Tax Consideration
Forestry-related Tax Deductions
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER 9 — FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING (PDF, 339K)

FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING
Incorporating Sustainability Into Forest Management Plans
Forest Management Plan Elements

CHAPTER 10 — GENERAL OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES (PDF, 397K)

OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Timing and Coordination of Activities
Designing Operations to Fit Site Conditions
Managing and Minimizing Infrastructure
PROTECTING CULTURAL RESOURCES
FUELS, LUBRICANTS, WASTE, AND SPILLS
Fuels, Lubricants and Waste
Spills
BMPs: Spills
POST-OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
BMPs: Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention

CHAPTER 11 — FOREST ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE (PDF, 810K)

Integrated Resource Management Considerations
UPLAND FOREST ROADS
BMPs: Planning, Location and Design
STREAM CROSSING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
BMPs: Fords
BMPs: Stream Crossings
BMPs: Pipe Culverts for Stream Crossings
ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND DRAINAGE
BMPs: Road Construction and Drainage
DRAINAGE STRUCTURES
BMPs: Drainage Structures
BMPs: Pipe Culverts for Cross-drains
BMPs: Open-top Culverts
BMPs: Broad-based Dips
BMP: Waterbars
SOIL STABILIZATION
Mulch and Seeding
BMP: Mulch and See
BMP: Diversion Structures
BMP: Sediment-control Structures
WETLAND FOREST ROADS
BMPs: Wetland Roads, Skid Trails and Landings
15 FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
BMPs: Forest Roads in Wetlands
ROAD MAINTENANCE
BMPs: Road Maintenance

CHAPTER 12 — TIMBER HARVESTING (PDF, 902K)

Integrated Resource Management Considerations
PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Soil Productivity
Water Quality and Wetlands
BMP: Planning and Design
Visual Quality
Cultural Resources
Slash Management and Landings
Leave (Reserve) Trees, Coarse Woody Debris, and Snags
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Protecting Soil Productivity
Protecting Water Quality and Wetlands
BMPs: Protecting Sensitive Areas
Protecting Cultural Resources
Skid Trails
BMPs: Skid Trails
BMPs: Stream Crossings for Skidding
Landings
BMPs: Landings
Minimizing Rutting
BMP: Rutting
Managing Slash
BMP: Slash
Snags (Standing Dead Trees)
Leave (Reserve) Trees
Providing Coarse Woody Debris
Managing the Harvesting Process
The Timber Sale Contract
Five Steps in a Careful and Successful Timber Sale
Understanding the Sample Timber Sale Contract
Contract Breach: A Very Serious Decision
What is Reasonable?
POST-OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 14 — PESTICIDE USE (PDF, 173K)

Integrated Resource Management Considerations
PLANNING
Considering All Your Options: Integrated Pest Management
Pesticide Characteristics Affecting Ground and Surface water Contamination Potential
Selecting Pesticides
Selecting Application Methods
Spill Response
BMP: Spill Response
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Transportation of Pesticides
Storage of Pesticides
Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know
Mixing and Loading Operations
BMP: Mixing and Loading Operations
Pre-Application Activities
Timing and Weather Considerations
BMP: Timing and Weather Conditions
Applying Pesticides
BMPs: Applying Pesticides
Protecting Water Resources
BMPs: Protecting Water Resources
POST-OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Equipment Clean-up and Container and Waste Disposal
BMP: Equipment Clean-up
BMP: Container and Waste Disposal
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER 15 — REFORESTATION (PDF, 532K)

Integrated Resource Management Considerations
PLANNING AND DESIGN
Setting Goals
Site Evaluation
Planting Design
Species Selection
Spacing
Planting Arrangement
Direct Seeding vs. Seedlings
Seed Source Selection
Stock Type Selection
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Site Preparation
Planting
POST-OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Monitoring Program
Vegetation Control
Animal Control
Insect and Disease Control
Weather and Environmental Damage
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER 16 — INTERMEDIATE SILVICULTURAL TREATMENTS (PDF, 780K)

Integrated Resource Management Considerations
PLANNING
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Release
Thinning
Improvement Cutting
Salvage and Sanitation Cutting
Pruning
POST-OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER 17 — FIRE MANAGEMENT (PDF, 532K)

PART I: WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT
Protection of Resources from Wildfire
Protection of Property from Wildfire
PART II: PRESCRIBED FIRE MANAGEMENT
Integrated Resource Management Considerations
PLANNING AND DESIGN
Burn Plan Management
BMP: Burn Plan Management
Land Management Objectives
Factors Influencing Fire Behavior
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Fire Spread Patterns
Ignition patterns
Firebreaks
Managing Fuelbreaks and Accesses
BMP: Managing Fuelbreaks and Accesses
Protecting Water Quality and Wetlands
BMPs: Protecting Water Quality and Wetlands
Smoke Management Considerations
Safety Considerations
Pre-burn Briefing
POST-OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Post-burn Monitoring
Fire Effects Evaluation
BMPs: Post-operational Activities
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER 18 — FOREST RECREATION MANAGEMENT (PDF, 278K)

Integrated Resource Management Considerations
PLANNING AND DESIGN
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Construction
Operations
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GLOSSARY (PDF, 347K)

APPENDICES (PDF, 317K)

APPENDIX A: MARKING AND CROP TREE SELECTION GUIDELINES
Marking Priority Guide
APPENDIX B: SAMPLE TIMBER SALE CONTRACT
Contract Performance, Period, Extensions, and Termination
Downpayment, Bond, Remedies, and Damages
Products To Be Removed
Sale Type, Scaling, Hauling, and Payments
Utilization and Operations
Notice of Intent To Cut and Compliance With Laws
Title, Boundary Lines, and Access
Liability and Insurance
General
APPENDIX C: MFL ENTRY REVIEW CHECKLIST
APPENDIX D: PESTICIDE LAWS AND RULES
APPENDIX E: REGULATIONS RELATING TO FOREST
MANAGEMENT AND WATER QUALITY
Federal Laws
State Laws
APPENDIX F: PERMITS
Permits for Water Quality
Other Permits
APPENDIX G: CITED REFERENCES

RESOURCE DIRECTORY (PDF, 210K)

FOREST MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATION
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
University of Wisconsin Extension (UWEX)
Forest Industry Safety Training Alliance (FISTA)
Wisconsin Family Forests (WFF)
Community Forestry Resource Center (CFRC)
Gathering Waters
Wisconsin Forest Productivity Council (WFPC)
USDA Forest Service Northeast Area
Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association (WWOA)
American Tree Farm® System (ATFS)
Wisconsin Walnut Council
CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSISTANCE
NON-TIMBER PRODUCTS
PETROLEUM SPILLS
SOURCES OF MAPS AND PLANNING TOOLS
Aerial Photography
Digital Mapping Resources
Wisconsin Wetland Inventory Maps
Topographic Maps
Soil Surveys, Soil Interpretations, and Erosion Control
FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
Forest Tax Programs
Cost-sharing Programs
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT, WETLAND PROTECTION
FOREST HEALTH
WATER CROSSINGS
PRESCRIBED BURNING
ENDANGERED, THREATENED OR SPECIAL CONCERN SPECIES
PESTICIDE USE
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES I HAVE FOUND

CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (PDF, 203K)

Credits and Acknowledgements
For ALL photo and figure credits, see the Credits and Acknowledgements chapter of this guide (PDF, 203K). Note that some photos and figures need permission for reproduction and are protected by copyright laws. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, for required permission and further copyright information.

Last Revised: Monday July 30 2007