Rating spruce-fir silviculture for wildlife and forestry

Abstract

Forest managers face a wide array of potential choices when they consider all of the products derived from woodlands. Many of these products compete with one another to some degree. For instance, hardwood regeneration may be removed in thinnings to favor softwood growth. Forest wildlife-is also influenced by silvicultural practice and the manager must decide whether to encourage only a few species of wildlife or try to manage for the entire wildlife community. If a variety of wildlife is more important, management should attempt to create as much plant diversity as possible. A diversity of plant species, form, and structure will provide a habitat suitable for many species of wildlife. We rated several silvicultural practices for continued economical production of spruce-fir products and for how much habitat diversity the practice provides. The ratings are our own, based on results of research, professional training, and lengthy experience.

Citation

Crawford, H.S.; Frank, R.M. 1985. Rating spruce-fir silviculture for wildlife and forestry. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 23 p.