1. Whom do I contact to get the
information I need on forest and wildlife management?
Contact your local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forester
(www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/phonelist.html)
for technical assistance on forest stewardship. The forester usually
works with the DNR wildlife biologist to incorporate wildlife recommendations
into a forest stewardship plan. Contact your local DNR wildlife biologist
for other information on regulations, hunting, etc.(www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife)
Contact your local Cooperative Extension office (www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/offices.cfm)
for educational publications and workshops on forestry and wildlife.The
Extension natural resources web site (www.naturalresources.umd.edu) provides
you with a vast array of information and links to other educational
web sites. Visit the area marked “Forest Stewardship” to get general
information on developing a forest stewardship plan and harvesting.
The “Natural Resources Income Opportunities” section will give you
ideas on enterprises that may be of interest to you.
2. Can I practice forest stewardship on an area
less than 10 acres? Yes, management of natural resources in areas less than 10 acres
can have an impact and can be rewarding. To develop a written Forest
Stewardship Plan, a minimum of 5 acres, excluding one acre for a homesite,
is needed.Check other links in this web site for information on managing
small acreage.
3. Is it okay to “skip ahead” of natural succession
by planting trees like oaks without waiting for earlier vegetation
to grow and be phased out?
It depends on your objectives, whether you are managing for forest
products, wildlife, or a combination of the two. However, it is always
recommended to encourage natural succession which costs significantly
less and ensures that only native species will grow. Contact your
DNR forester for advice.
4. Is there a comprehensive list of cost
share programs?
The Farm Services Agency (USDA-FSA) and the Maryland DNR Forest Service
(MDNR-FS) provide cost share assistance to landowners to help defray
the cost of forest improvement practices. The Maryland DNR Forest
Service is responsible for providing technical assistance to the landowner,
helping find vendors to do the work, and reporting completion of the
practice. Go to www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/programapps/cost.html
for more information on cost share programs. Or for a complete list,
visit Cost-Share Programs.
5. What are the requirements for the CREP
program?Whom do I contact? How much does it pay?
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) grew out of increasing
recognition that wetlands and lands adjacent to streams (riparian
areas) and other water bodies have a tremendous impact on water quality
and provide critical wildlife habitat. Under CREP, landowners contract
with USDA through their local Farm Service Agency to receive annual
rental payments for taking land out of production and installing conservation
practices adjacent to waterways. With the additional support of the
Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation/Ducks
Unlimited, landowners can also receive up to 100% reimbursement for
cost of installation of conservation practices, such as wetland restoration,
riparian forest or vegetative buffer planting, or retirement of highly
erodible lands. The contract agreement lasts for 10 to 15 years. In
addition, landowners can sign a conservation easement and receive
an additional bonus payment in exchange for retaining the conservation
practices in perpetuity. Landowners should contact their local FSA
or Soil Conservation District (SCD) Office to find out if their land
meets CREP contract eligibility requirements. For more information
log onto: www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/milo.asp.
6. Who is the best, objective resource for
developing a forest stewardship plan?
Developing a forest stewardship plan with a state
Department of Natural Resources forester or consulting
forester or other natural resource professional offers an excellent
opportunity for landowners to become better acquainted with their
property and its potential. The forester can help answer technical
questions, provide specific information about the various resources
present, and also help to focus and better define the landowner's
objectives for the future.
State DNR foresters can develop forest stewardship plans, for a fee,
but may have a waiting list. Consulting foresters in Maryland are
private foresters, professionally trained and experienced, who offer
their forest management services to represent the best interests of
a prospective client. These services are usually offered on a fee,
contract, or contingency basis.
As when engaging any professional, it is advisable to enter into a
written legal service contract or agreement that specifies exactly
what is to be done and the results to be obtained from the forester.
All foresters in Maryland must be registered, certifying that they
have an academic degree, experience, and participate in continuing
education. Some states do not have these requirements. Ask for the
forester’s credentials as well as references. A
Forester: Your Partner in Forest Stewardship,” Vol. 7, No. 3.
For more information about Maryland's Forest Stewardship Program contact
the DNR
Project Forester in your county or the State Forest Stewardship
Program Coordinator: Patrick Meckley, pmeckley@dnr.state.md.us.
7. How do I select a consulting forester?
To assist as many landowners as possible when seeking professional
forestry services, state DNR foresters often will refer landowners
to private consulting and industrial foresters. For a comprehensive
list of foresters licensed to practice in Maryland, log onto dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/forests/consultingforesters.pdf.
In selecting a consulting forester, interview several to determine
who will help you establish your objectives, implement them in ways
satisfying to you, and with whom you are comfortable working. For
more information, see the Branching Out article A
Forester: Your Partner in Forest Stewardship,” Vol. 7, No. 3.
8. Is there a minimum size property that
a DNR forester will visit? Is there a cost?
A minimum of 5 forested acres is needed. If there is a homesite, one
acre is eliminated, so then you really need 6 acres as a minimum.
The fees for developing a Forest Stewardship Plan by DNR foresters
are $175 for 5 to 25 acres; $200 for 26 to 75 acres; and $225 for
more than 75 acres. See the DNR website www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/programapps/faland.html
for fees for these and other services by DNR foresters. Private consulting
foresters can develop Forest Stewardship plans too and provide many
other services. Each private forester sets his or her own fees. For
a list of private foresters licensed in Maryland, go to dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/forests/consultingforesters.pdf.
9. What are the benefits of a forest stewardship
plan?
A Forest Stewardship Plan is a guide a property owner follows to meet
long-term objectives for forest land. This written document describes
the forest resources present on the property, the landowner's management
goals and objectives, and the recommended practices or activities
to be carried out over time. In addition, a Forest Stewardship Plan
can meet the requirement for reduced property assessment and resulting
real estate taxes. A publication on forest stewardship planning can
be found at: www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Pages/Stewardship_Plan.html.
10. Does one have to hire a contractor to
plant trees or is it reasonable for an inexperienced person to rent
equipment for initial planting?
It depends on the person and the amount of planting. If you have knowledge
of equipment, the terrain, and tree planting techniques and have physical
stamina, time, and some help, you probably can do it. Discuss your
options with your DNR forester or a private consulting forester. If
you need planting assistance, the foresters can recommend a source.
11. Are there any tax advantages to having
my property in forestry? What are the options?
Property taxes for forest land can be reduced by lowering the property
assessment. This can be accomplished by 1) enrolling in a Forest Management
Plan (FMP), 2) enrolling in a Forest Conservation Management Agreement
(FCMA), 3) donating or selling a conservation easement, or 4) otherwise
qualifying for an agricultural assessment. For more information, visit
www.naturalresources.umd.edu/BranchingOut/1999Winter.cfm.
1. What is silviculture?
Silviculture is the art, science, and practice of caring for forests
with respect to human objectives. To understand silviculture, one
must first understand silvics. Silvics involves understanding
how trees grow, reproduce, and respond to environmental changes. A
good overview of silvics and silviculture can be found at www.snr.missouri.edu/silviculture.
2. What can be done to regenerate oaks?
Creating or regenerating new forests of oaks after the harvest of
an existing oak forest is a little more difficult than the natural
regeneration of some other species. Many existing oak forests were
encouraged by regular wildfires that killed competing species. High
deer populations have resulted in heavy browsing of young oaks in
the forest, allowing other less preferred species to take over. One
common forest management technique used to encourage the growth of
young oaks is called the shelterwood method. This method involves
a gradual removal of mature trees in a woodlot in two or three stages.
The slower canopy removal allows sunlight to stimulate the growth
of new acorns and existing sprouts, until sufficient numbers exist
to form a new forest. New seedlings can be protected from deer by
distributing slash to protect new seedlings, fencing, or by reducing
the deer population. For more information on the shelterwood method,
visit iaa.umd.edu/mfa/ee14.htm.
3. Why do most people plant pines instead of
hardwoods?
Because of soil conditions and climate, some areas are better suited
for pines than other species. Pines can be planted and harvested in
a shorter time than most hardwoods. An average person can plant and
harvest one or more pine plantations in his/her lifetime, whereas
he/she may not see the harvesting of hardwoods planted. A professional
forester needs to look at your land to determine the potential for
growing different forest species given your objectives and resources.
4. What can be done about the increasing
fragmentation of Maryland forests?
78% of Maryland's forestland is privately owned. This means the future
of Maryland's forests, their health, and wildlife depends on the decisions
of many individuals. Because fragmentation and parcelization have
both positive and negative consequences and affect an area larger
than an individual property, landowners should seek information and
help in determining and implementing their management objectives.
To minimize the effect of fragmentation, individual landowners must
work together to achieve common goals.
A good place to start is to get a recent aerial photograph (about
$14) of your property and the surrounding area from the county Farm
Services Agency office (blue pages of the phone book under “Agricultural
Department ” in the U.S. Government). Note the forest landscape.
Wildlife and other ecosystem processes do not stop at property boundaries.
Can you plan your actions to maintain large blocks of forest?
Good forest stewardship calls for an extra effort: cooperation with
neighboring forest landowners to achieve goals beneficial to the larger
forest as well as to the individual forest properties. Talk with your
neighbors and contact the state forester or local Cooperative Extension
office for information on developing a forest stewardship plan and
financial incentive programs to pursue the objectives you share. For
more information, log onto www.naturalresources.umd.edu/BranchingOut/1999Spring.cfm#Forest.
1. When do you thin a forest?
Thinning depends on your objectives. Are you managing for timber?
For wildlife? For recreation? For timber particularly, you’ll want
to thin when the growth rate slows due to crowding of the trees or
other reasons. Thinning should remove poorer quality trees and open
the forest canopy so that light can enter. The new sunlight will allow
the remaining superior trees to grow more rapidly in diameter, stimulate
the growth of new ground vegetation, and cause changes in wildlife
habitat. The same thinning practices that improve timber growth also
can improve wildlife habitat by allowing the crowns of desirable mast-producing
trees (ex. oak, walnut) to expand and ground vegetation to develop.
Consult a professional forester to discuss the timing and need for
thinning.
2. How long does the process of harvesting
timber take from start to finish?
The harvesting process varies, depending on the type and volume of
trees, the terrain and ground conditions, the time of year, and the
logger’s equipment and schedule. Harvest contracts usually are for
one year, with harvesting taking any amount of time therein, frequently
6 months to one year. Be certain there is a written timber harvest
contract and that allowable time for harvesting is spelled out. Consider
whether you want the income in one year or spread over two or more
tax years. Engage a consulting forester to assist with and assure
a quality timber harvest process from beginning to end. A list of
licensed consulting foresters in Maryland is at dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/forests/consultingforesters.pdf.
3. Is there a particular month or season
when harvesting should take place?
For higher quality timber, harvesting should take place in the winter.
There is less water in the trees which minimizes fugal staining. Harvesting
at other times is a standard practice, depending on weather and soil
conditions and other activity in the area of the harvest.
4. What are the values of different species
of trees?
Forests and trees reduce air pollution by absorbing gaseous pollutants
and filtering dust, ash, and smoke. A dense grove of trees about 50
feet wide reduces apparent loudness of noise by as much as 50%. Forests
and trees buffer glare caused by lights and the sun, provide wind
protection, and
cool the air. They provide habitat for wildlife and improve the
quality of our lives. To see the national average of how trees save
on, for example, air conditioning costs and erosion costs, log onto
www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/healthreport/urban.html.
The timber value of trees varies depending on the species, size, volume,
and many other factors. For a listing of recently sold timber, check
out the latest stumpage price report at www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Stumpage_Prices.cfm.
5. How do I select the right person to harvest
my timber? And/or to get the best price?
We suggest using a logger who has completed the volunteer Master Logger
Program. Most loggers are concerned about maintaining the quality
of your land and forest. However, by choosing a Master Logger you
are hiring someone who has gone through training to enhance understanding
of Best Management Practices and timber harvesting method options,
increase awareness of state laws and regulations governing forest
operations, and increase safe logging practices. The Maryland Master
Logger Program is a voluntary program. Loggers who have completed
the program have done so out of their personal desire to become the
best they can be in an often misunderstood profession. To learn more
about the Maryland Master Logger Program, visit http://iaa.umd.edu/mfa/mdmlp.htm.
Most landowners are inexperienced in working with loggers and should
use the services of a professional forester to represent their interests.
The increased sale price of your timber will more than offset the
consulting forester’s fee. The forester also will monitor the timber
harvest, assuring a healthy forest when the harvest is complete. Consulting
foresters licensed to practice in Maryland can be found at dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/forests/consultingforesters.pdf.
To help you understand timber prices, go to www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Stumpage_Prices.cfm.
6. When I’m considering the financial implications
of a timber harvest and other management practices, who can help me
with the tax issues?
Some Certified Public Accountants and professional foresters have
experience in this area. They have attended a one-day seminar on
timber taxes in either 1999 or 2000 sponsored by Maryland Cooperative
Extension, the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants,
and the USDA Forest Service State & Private Forestry. To see a complete
list, log onto: www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Accountants.cfm.
Regardless of who you hire, we suggest you get a copy of the publication
No. 718, “Forest Landowners’ Guide to the Federal Income Tax.” Provide
this to your tax preparer. It is a large publication, but you can
download it for free or purchase a copy online at www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Publications.cfm.
7. Are there any tax advantages to having
my timber cut in a particular time frame?
It depends on whether your timber sale will put you in a higher tax
bracket. In some instances, it is advised that landowners “spread”
their income over more than one tax year. If certain requirements
are met, timber harvests can be treated as capital gain rather than
ordinary income. This usually is advantageous to the tax payer. For
more information, consult a tax preparer knowledgeable about forestry,
and visit www.timbertax.org/getstarted/sales/introduction.asp.
8. I just harvested some timber, how do I declare
the income?
Income from timber harvesting can be treated as capital gain or ordinary
income. Forest economists recommend reporting it as capital gain since
capital gain is taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income and is
not subject to self-employment tax whereas ordinary income is. Recent
tax legislation has reduced the capital gains rates. If assets are
held five years beyond December 2000, the rates are reduced further.
When planning timber harvests, forest landowners should consider if
it would be advantageous to receive all the income in one year or
to spread it over two or more years. A consulting forester can build
this into a contact with whoever purchases your timber. For more information,
visit www.naturalresources.umd.edu/BranchingOut/1999Winter.cfm
and the timber tax website www.timbertax.org
9. How do I register a complaint about a forester
or logger?
First try to resolve any disputes with the forester or logger who
is as concerned about protecting his or her reputation as you are
about having a satisfactory resolution. Engage a mediator if needed.
Consult this article in Branching Out: www.naturalresources.umd.edu/BranchingOut/2001Fall.cfm#Working
10. How do I determine culvert sizes
for roads?
It depends on the soil, slope, and amount of acres being drained.Every timber harvest that disturbs more than a ¼ acres must
have a standard erosion and sediment control plan prepared for the
site. For more information, log onto www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/mbmp/mbmpfho8.html.
1. Is leaving my woodland alone the best
for wildlife and forest health?
Leaving your forest alone may not produce the optimum wildlife habitat
and forest health. Most forms of wildlife require a varied types and
ages of vegetation for food and shelter. In an unmanaged forest, overcrowding
often retards tree growth, makes forests more susceptible to disease
and insect damage, and reduces the diversity of wildlife habitats.
Selective thinning provides more growing space and nutrients for desirable
trees, which in turn, reduces the stress on trees and improves forest
health. Other management techniques that regenerate forests, such
as shelterwood, clearcutting, and group selection, can also be used
to create the needed wildlife habitat diversity.
2. How do I encourage different species
of wildlife on my property?
The best way to encourage wildlife is to create the proper habitat
(food, shelter, water and space) by managing the stage of forest succession.
Stages of succession include old fields, young forests, and mature
forests. Creating these habitats is typically done by harvesting trees,
planting trees, or allowing nature to take it course. Wildlife species
have different requirements so you must know what you wish to manage
for. The greatest diversity of wildlife is found in areas of edge,
where many different types of habitat exist in a small area. Other
types of wildlife may require only one type of habitat. An example
is forest interior birds that require only mature forest habitat.
3. My forest lacks herbaceous vegetation
on the forest floor. How can I encourage more understory growth?
To stimulate the growth of more understory plants, you need more light.
To accomplish this, a thinning of the forest canopy is needed to allow
more sunlight to hit the forest floor. Contact your DNR forester for
information on thinning. General information is also available at
http://ohioline.osu.edu/for-fact/0050.html
4. I am interested in planting trees
and shrubs for wildlife.
The state nursery located at www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/nursery
has a list of deciduous and coniferous trees available for purchase
as well as information on planting incentive programs. The list contains
a handy key indicating which trees are the best for wildlife habitats.
Also see FS 759, www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publication.cfm?ID=144.
5. What is the Coverts Project?
A covert (pronounced kuh-vert) is an old English word that means a
thicket that provides habitat for wildlife. It is also the name of
a Maryland forest and wildlife volunteer training and outreach program
intended to teach sound forest and wildlife management practices to
a select group of people each year. In return, participants, known
as Covert Cooperators, apply these principles to their own property
and actively encourage others to practice good forest stewardship.A
three-day workshop is offered each fall. For more information and
an application, go to www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Coverts.cfm
6. Why does an overabundance of deer reduce
biodiversity?
An overpopulation of deer results in overbrowsing of the forest understory.
This reduces the habitat of many other species of wildlife, thereby,
reducing the biodiversity of the wildlife populations. Increased browsing
by deer alters the forest understory thus depleting populations of
small woodland mammals and forest interior dwelling birds which use
the groundcover for shelter and food. Check this website’s links to
deer management and see the Spring
2002 issue of Branching Out
7. What kinds of plants do I encourage
to increase pheasants and wild turkey?
For information on the ring necked pheasant and the eastern wild turkey
as well as what to plant for their habitat, log onto www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Publications.cfm#wildlifemanagement.
Surf the web for sites for Pheasants Forever and National Wild Turkey
Federation, which can help you with proper habitat.
8. What can I do to encourage wildlife
such as raccoons and skunks?
Skunks are highly beneficial to landowners because they feed on large
numbers of agricultural and garden pests. They seem to prefer grasshoppers,
white grubs, beetles and crickets. Raccoons make their dens in hollow
trees and hollow logs. They eat berries, grains, nuts, cat and dog
food, fish, frogs, reptiles, rabbits and eggs and love corn.
9. Is there a role for black gum in
a managed woodlot in which wildlife is encouraged?
Yes, the fruit is relished by many songbirds. Users include wood ducks,
robins, woodpeckers, thrashers, flickers, and mockingbirds. Besides,
the beautiful red of the black gum leaves in autumn can add to your
enjoyment of your woodland.
10. How do cowbirds affect the nesting
of songbirds?
One example of a songbird aising young if it nests deep in the forest).
If scarlet tanagers nest close to forest edges, their eggs are often
pushed out of their nests by brown-headed cowbirds. Then the cowbirds
lay their eggs in the nest, leaving the tanagers to raise the young
cowbirds and increasing the cowbird population instead of the songbird
population. Cowbirds are rarely found in the center of large forests.
For more information, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/healthreport/threatened.html.
11. Are pet cats and dogs a threat to wildlife?
Dogs and cats can be a threat to native wildlife populations. Observation
of free-ranging domestic cats shows that some can kill over 1,000
wild animals per year. Some of these kills are house mice, rats and
other species considered pests, but many are native songbirds and
mammals whose populations are already stressed. It is suggested that
cat-lovers keep only the minimum number of free-ranging cats needed
to control rodents. Free-ranging dogs can join together in packs and
chase deer and other mammals, causing serious disruptions in native
populations. Dogs should always be under the control of their owners.
12. I don’t plan on becoming a tree farmer
so should I keep the paulownia tree? What is its value?
Paulownia trees, a non-native species to Maryland, can be a high value
wood, though its value is highly dependent on quality and accessibility
to markets. It is used in Japan for ornate boxes, religious trinkets
and medicinal purposes. Currently, high-quality paulownia wood is
valued at more than $20 per board-foot. However, trees of this value
have grown up in existing forest stands, are slow growing, and are
hard to find. There is currently no developed domestic market for
fast-growing paulownia grown in plantations. Your local Cooperative
Extension office has bulletin No. 319, “How to Produce and Market
Paulownia” available for purchase for $2. Link to the American Paulownia
Association, Inc. at www.paulowniatrees.org.
13. What is meant by carrying capacity?
Carrying capacity is the ability of the habitat to support a given
number of animals. Carrying capacity frequently is used in reference
to the deer population. When the number of deer in a given area exceeds
the carrying capacity for that area, the deer population impinges
on the well-being of other plant and animal species and conflicts
with land-use practices as well as human safety and health.
14. How do I manage against wildlife?
How do I stop deer from eating plants?
While most of us enjoy seeing a graceful white-tailed deer, their
increased numbers have led to increased damage to ornamental plants,
gardens, and commercial crops and a greater incident of Lyme disease.
As a general rule, deer consume about 3 percent of their body weight
in forage each day. This may seem a small amount, but when taken as
buds, leaves, tender shoots and flower parts, the impact on horticultural
and garden plants can be devastating. Where deer are abundant or crops
are especially valuable, an 8-foot fence is the only sure way to protect
crops. Shorter fences, vegetation management, repellents, and dogs
can also be effective means of managing deer damage. However, reduction
of the population through traditional hunting or managed hunts is
what is needed. All these options should be considered in an integrated
deer management approach. More information is available from the following
sources:
a) Purchase the following publications from your local Cooperative
Extension office or go to the publications page on this website: Managing
Deer Damage in Maryland (EB354), cost $2. Resistance of Ornamentals
to Deer Browsing (FS655). For more information on deer damage management,
as well as information on controlling voles, beavers and geese, log
onto www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Wildlife_Damage.cfm.
b) Home and Garden Information
Center - The Center provides publications and assistance to help
Maryland homeowners solve horticultural problems, including wildlife
damage. Horticulture consultants are available to speak to clients
on the telephone Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Callers
can also access a wide range of audio tapes 24 hours a day. Residents
of Maryland can call toll-free to speak to a horticulture consultant
or access our library of audiotapes: 1-800-342-2507 (in Maryland only)
From outside Maryland, call 410-531-1757.
c) Animal Control Hotline - The Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
and Heritage Division and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
have teamed up to provide a toll-free phone number to report nuisance,
injured or sick wildlife situations. Call 1-877-463-6497. They can
provide advice and some resources to help you with wildlife damage
problems. They do not handle problems with deer, bear, and other large
species.
15. Why don’t I hear and see as many songbirds
as I once did?
Maryland is home to nineteen birds which are classified as "Forest
Interior Dwellers,” or FIDs. These birds have one thing in common:
they require large tracts of relatively undisturbed mature hardwood
forests to breed successfully. Foresters and loggers should abide
by the following management recommendations:
FIDs breeding grounds are not harmed by thinning out inferior
trees or removing select trees of merchantable quality as long
as the forest canopy is not removed in excess of 70% crown cover.
Some regeneration harvests (areas that are cut over completely
and left to regenerate naturally) are not detrimental to FIDs
either. Regeneration harvests must be conducted on forest tracts
that are over 100 contiguous acres in size. In addition, these
harvests must be kept to the edges of the forest and done in less
than 25 acre parcels.
Many FIDs are cavity nesters and use dead trees, called snags,
as homes. When conducting harvests, retain as many large snags
(ten inches in diameter or greater) as possible.
The breeding season for FIDs stretches from May 1 - August
31. Forest disturbances should be minimal during the breeding
season.
To limit fragmentation of forests, limit access roads in forest
interiors and keep them narrow. Also maintain forested buffers
along streams and shoreline so FIDs have protected access to water.
16. To encourage wildlife in my woodlot,
should I allow the grapevines to grow into my red oaks and other trees?
Grapevine is good for turkey and other wildlife. However, when left
to grow, the vines will damage or kill trees by adding weight to the
branches in the crown. This can cause the tree to be seriously damaged
or killed when snow, ice, or strong winds stress the tree to the breaking
point. Grapevines should be cut at the ground on trees that you desire
to remain healthy and long-lived, either for timber, wildlife or aesthetics.
When cut, the aboveground portion will dry out and break apart over
time. They can be allowed to grow on less desirable timber trees to
provide wildlife habitat.
Native and Invasive Plant
and Insect Identification
1. What types of trees or understory plant should I put in wetland
and riparian areas?
Riparian forest buffers are areas that border bodies of water and
should include a diversity of native, noninvasive woody trees, and
shrubs (multiple species including hardwoods). Manage newly established
buffers to allow the establishment of an organic duff layer and understory
vegetation. The Zone 3 (outermost zone) filter strip may include warm
season grasses. For fact sheets on riparian buffers, visit www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/PDFs/FS724.pdf.
2. Can riparian forest buffers be planted
along streams that don’t flow year-round? Will they be eligible for
subsidies?
Yes, from tiny creeks to major rivers, all waterways have a riparian
zone, commonly known as the floodplain. The riparian zone stretches
along each waterway and encompasses the area of annual or periodic
flooding. The riparian zone is the waterway's buffer. Under normal
conditions, this land and the natural vegetation growing on it traps
sediments from upslope erosion, and filters out fertilizers and pesticides
used on adjacent land. Check with your Soil Conservation District
to determine if your stream qualifies for cost sharing. For a list
of cost-share programs, visit www.riparianbuffers.umd.edu/manuals/incentives.html.
3. How do I distinguish one tree
from another?
Identifying trees is one of the greatest challenges for forest landowners.
Certain key characteristics such as branching pattern and single or
compound leaves can help. A simple guide is available from your county
Maryland Cooperative Extension office for $1 entitled, “Leaf Key to
Common Trees in Maryland (EB238)”.
4. I know a forester who identifies trees
in winter by their bark, bud colors, and shapes. How can I learn this
method of tree identification?
Most trees do have distinctive bark, buds and shapes, but this takes
experience and practice. The best resource with an excellent key that
should be a standard for all forest landowners is “Peterson Field
Guides: Trees and Shrubs,” by George A. Petrides. However, if you
want a field guide that just focuses on winter identification, we
recommend, “Woody Plants in Winter,” by Earl L. Core and Nelle P.
Ammons. A good website for tree identification and a good CD-Rom can
be found at FORSite at: www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/forsite/contents.htm.
6. What is the best way to control
invasive species?
The best control of invasive species is to not let them get started.
However, in most cases it is impossible to eradicate invasive plants
completely. Instead, we need to manage their spread and presence.
While using organic or mechanical controls are desired by many, most
people have found that the judicious use of chemical herbicides are
essential to have any significant impacts. For a variety of ways to
control various invasive species visit www.invasivespecies.gov/toolkit/control.shtml
and www.invasivespecies.gov/community/whatyou.shtml.
7. What do gypsy moth egg clusters and
caterpillars look like? How are they different from eastern tent caterpillars?
Gypsy moth is the most serious pest of oak trees in Maryland. They
hatch in late April or early May. For more details and a picture of
an egg cluster, log onto www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/hg44_000.pdf.
Eastern tent caterpillar is a common pest of wild cherry trees
and hatch in early April. The eastern tent caterpillar is not
as serious a threat to trees as the gypsy moth. Click here
for a close comparison of these two caterpillars (pdf file).
To learn more, log onto www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/hg21_000.pdf.
8. What are my options for gypsy moth spraying?
You can use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) products or the chemical
Dimillin to control young caterpillars. If you are unable to spray
your tree tops, hire a professional arborist. The Maryland Department
of Agriculture maintains a list of licensed applicators. In large
areas of forestation, community spraying is an option. For information
on the Maryland Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program, log onto
www.mda.state.md.us/plants-pests/forest_pest_mgmt/gypsy_moth/cooperative_gypsy_moth_spray_program.php.
9. What does poison ivy look like? How can you tell it from Virginia
creeper in the winter?
Poison ivy has three leaves. For detailed info including photos, log
onto www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/PoisonIvyHG34pfv.pdf.
Virginia creeper leaves have long petioles, or foot-stalks, and are divided
into five leaflets. The flowers are in small clusters - yellowish-green in
color and open in July, a few at a time. The flowers are a favorite of bees
and are succeeded by dark purplish-blue berries, about the size of a pea,
which are ripe in October. For more information log onto www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/v/virgin14.html.
10. What does Japanese stilt grass
look like? How do I control it?
Japanese stilt grass is an attractive, miniature bamboo-like grass
that rapidly covers disturbed areas. For a picture, log onto www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/mivi1.htm.
It also can be identified by its lime-green color and a line of silvery
hairs down the middle of the 2-3" long blade. It tolerates sun or
dense shade and quickly invades areas left bare or disturbed by tilling
or flooding. An annual grass, it builds up a large seed bank in the
soil. To control the grass, pull it in early to mid-summer being certain
to pull before it goes to seed. If seeds have formed, bag and burn
them or send them to the landfill. Mowing weekly or when it has just
begun to flower may prevent the stilt grass from setting seed. Use
glyphosate (commonly known as “Roundup”) or herbicidal soap (more
environmentally-friendly but less effective) on large infestations.
Do follow up control in the spring.
11. What is the difference between
Red Maples and Norway Maples?
Red maples are native trees and Norway maples are nonnative invasive
species in Maryland and can take over the native areas. For more information
maple trees and to see images, log onto www.massmaple.org/treeID.html.
12. How can you distinguish a walnut tree
from a tree of heaven?
Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), also known as ailanthus,
sumac, stinking sumac, stink-tree, copal tree, or Chinese sumac is
an introduced weed tree which is a common problem in many areas of
the United States. Its leaves are very similar to those of black walnut
but have a disagreeable odor when crushed. Ailanthus bark is smooth
whereas black walnut is deeply furrowed. It has long been established
in some urban and agricultural areas, and increasingly invades our
forests, displacing more desirable native trees. To learn how to control
the tree of heaven, log onto www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Pages/Tree_of_heaven.htm(pdf).
1. What is the procedure for building
a pond on my property in Maryland?
The first step is to call the Natural Resources Conservation Service
located in the blue pages under the federal government “Agriculture
Department” listings to determine if it is feasible. The NRCS can
tell you of the necessary steps and regulations for building a pond.
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