Forest Management on Wisconsin State Forests

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources manages the state's forestlands for multiple uses following the principles of sustainable forestry. This holistic approach strives to maintain forests as healthy ecosystems that will provide economic, ecological and social benefits for years to come, including wildlife habitat, aesthetics, soil and water quality, native biological diversity, recreational opportunities and forest products. An important component of sustainable forestry is the periodic harvesting of trees.

Why are trees harvested on the state forests?

Forest management is a critical tool for meeting state forest objectives, such as enhancing biological diversity and creating habitat for a wide variety of animal and plant species.

A Source of Forest Products

Trees provide us with many of life's necessities, including lumber for our homes and furniture, and pulp for paper. By practicing sustainable forestry, DNR foresters aim to ensure the state forests are a source of high quality timber both now and in the future.

Sustaining Local and Statewide Economies

Timber harvesting on state forestlands plays an important role in the economies of local communities and the state as a whole. In addition, revenue the DNR earns from timber sales is placed in a general forestry account for the State of Wisconsin, which funds programs such as fire control, nursery operations, forest health protection, and many other forestry activities.

Enhancing Wildlife Habitat

Well managed timber harvests can create and enhance habitat for wildlife. For example, clearcutting in prescribed areas promotes growth of sun-loving aspen, a tree species important to animals like ruffed grouse. Other animals, such as snowshoe hare and woodcock, rely on the young, regenerating forest that is present after cutting.

Maintaining a Healthy Forest

When trees become infected with diseases or pests, they must sometimes be removed to keep the disease from spreading and to protect remaining trees. In addition, thinning of weak or poorly-formed trees within a stand gives those that remain additional light and space, allowing them to grow faster.

Aesthetics

Harvesting activities also meet goals for aesthetics. For example, in forest tracts that are dominated by one or two tree species, thinning gives other species a chance to grow and promotes diversity within the stand. Small openings created when groups of trees are removed also produce an attractive mix of age classes within the forest.

How does the DNR plan its timber harvests on state forests?

Timber harvests are always planned in strict accordance with each state forest's master plan. Developed with extensive public participation, each forest plan includes detailed inventories of the property's natural resources, as well as strategies and practices for protecting all components of the forest ecosystem, including trees, understory plants, soils, water and animals. In addition, certification of state forestlands by independent, third party organizations ensures these forest management plans meet stringent standards for sustainability.

When planning timber sales, state foresters look at the history and current status of their forest's stands to determine which are ready for harvest. Each timber sale details the trees to be cut and those to remain, as well as any follow-up treatments the sites will require, such as tree planting. Before proceeding to advertise the sales, state foresters pass these plans to resource managers in wildlife, fisheries, water quality, and endangered resources for review. State forest superintendents must also approve all timber sales on their properties.

How many trees are cut each year and how do the forests regenerate after harvest?

Each year, trees are harvested on less than two percent of the land under state forest ownership. Over 60 percent of these harvests aim to improve the growth of existing trees through thinning.

Stands that are harvested for regeneration purposes are either reforested naturally or with planted seedlings. In determining which method to use, foresters consider both a site's ability to regenerate naturally, as well as the ability of desired tree species to grow back on a particular site. For example, if a site experiences hot and dry conditions, planting may be the best alternative. This is most common for the pine species, especially jack pine.

May anyone cut trees on the state forests?

The only way individuals can arrange to cut trees on a state forest is to go through that forest's timber sale process. Each year, foresters look at the history and status of their forest's timber stands, determine which are ready for harvest, and then plan a set of timber sales specific to those stands. Logging companies and individuals bid on those sales, with sales going to the highest bidders. Harvesting of trees is not permitted outside of this process.