Managing Ponderosa Pine Forests

"Managing for Forest Health
By Prescott National ForestDue to fire suppression and extended periods of drought, today's forests and woodlands exist in an unnatural state. When trees are stressed due to overcrowding and drought, a tree's natural defense mechanism (sap production) becomes weakened making the trees susceptible to attacks from bark beetles. During 2002 and 2003, the combination of drought and high tree densities resulted in a bark beetle epidemic that killed
approximately 18 million Ponderosa Pines across 662,000 acres in Arizona. Low intensity fire, insects, and disease arenature's way of maintaining a healthy forest.However, today's forests with high tree densities are prone to severe wildfires that threaten communities as well as damage wildlife habitat, soils, and vegetation. Forest managers mimic nature by thinning trees to restore a more natural condition including reduced hazardous fuels. Also, by removing some of the smaller trees in the landscape,...

...the larger trees are given more room to grow.In 2004, live trees and beetle-killed trees were removed from this area. Prior to the logging operation, high tree densities shaded the forest floor, hindering the growth of ground vegetation such as grasses and forbs.After the thinning, sunlight, water, and nutrients become available for a variety of plant species. The grasses and forbs provide food and various habitats for many wildlife species, and improve overall ecosystem health by holding soil in place.Through thinning of trees, managers can reduce the likelihood of future bark beetle outbreaks and severe wildfire and create a more naturally balanced landscape with healthy trees."