1) Forest Planning and Management for Eberly Woods

This 24-acre woods has been maintained as a developing forest since acquisition as cornfields in 1952.  The Eberly’s will continue this stewardship with the following annual practices.

Trees will be planted into their final field positions to increase productivity and diversity on an annual basis.  Most planting will occur in March.  The number of trees planted will not be less than 75 and no more than 150 per year.  These trees may be purchased and healed in until 3-4 foot transplanting size or may be marked in the fall from naturally occurring sapling availability. 

Current planting focus is on Bald Cypress, Sycamore, Hemlock, Oaks, and Butternut.  These species have been selected for the following reasons. 

Bald Cypress has been found to survive in an otherwise unproductive 1.5-acre swamp.  River Birch was tried unsuccessfully.  Sycamore has been selected due to the extremely low number (3) found in this Woods.  Sycamore will also be tried in close proximity to the swamp.  Hemlock was selected for its shade tolerance, lumber value, and suitability as both a wind and perimeter privacy break.  Oaks were selected to replenish the numbers that should be present.  The numbers are apparently low due to the need of fire to naturally replenish Oaks.  Butternut has been selected since none are present on the 24-acres.

Trees will be pruned to remove low branches and double apical stems on an annual basis.  All pruning will be in the lower 20 feet of the trees.  This pruning will occur to improve the future lumber value.  Most pruning will occur in February.  The number of trees pruned will not be less than 75 and no more than 150 per year. 

Trees will be harvested annually in a low impact manner.  Tree harvesting will be limited to 150 trees per year under normal circumstances.  Tree harvesting will be conducted on a forest improvement basis.  Tree removal selection will occur in late May and early August when tree health can be determined. 

Tree removal selection will occur in the following order.

a) Dead trees with lumber value will be removed first. The removal of dead trees without lumber value will depend upon wildlife habitat potential.

b) Trees that are significantly diseased will be removed.  Diseases that are approaching the region with high mortality will also play a role in tree removal selection to assist in the control and reduction of these diseases. 

c) Trees that are significantly damaged and have potential lumber value will be removed as soon as the damage is recognized since damaged trees are often more susceptible to disease and decay.

d) Select trees in areas of over crowding will be removed.  The best trees in these areas will be marked for future seeding stock.  The weaker, smaller, or damaged trees will then be removed.  When multiple species of trees are in crown contact with each other, trees will be marked for removal based on the preservation of slower growing species found in more mature forests.  

This plan will be documented annually with a record of the number of trees planted, a record of the number, size, and condition of trees removed, and a count of the trees pruned.

Donald and Kara Eberly hold clear title and have considered easements of this property.  Most of the property is fenced.  These fences are 1 foot within the property lines or easements.  The parcels have been recently surveyed and remarked. 

Professional forestry advice has been obtained from David Neumann.  This advice leads to some of the steps in this forestry plan.

A clear commitment to stewardship has been demonstrated in the conversion of cornfields in the 1950’s to forest today.  Forest diversity and wildlife have been consistently monitored while promoting homeostasis.

In the unlikely case that contractors were used, they would be informed of this plan and it’s intentions and heavily monitored to ensure that their conduct fit our forestry plan.  Currently, our family conducts all of the forestry practices.