1. Enjoy It.

Examples of how you might enjoy your property include aesthetics, wildlife and fisheries, and general recreation.

Aesthetics. Spending time in your forest can improve our mood and overall health;How do trees and green spaces enhance our health? (health.harvard.edu). A beautiful forest also sparks a sense of personal landowner pride and stewardship. You may also want to enhance aesthetics for your family, community, neighbors, and passers-by to enjoy. Littering and illegal dumping are problems in Mississippi. To protect your property, gate your access roads. Pick up litter along public roads touching your property and at your gates to discourage further littering or worse.

There are a number of ways to tweak silvicultural treatments to improve the looks of your forest, see Forest Aesthetics Information for Forest Landowners (texasforestry.org).

Adjustments may include shaping clearcuts to match the terrain and leaving wider streamside management zones for wildlife. Thinning and prescribed burning can open your viewshed and allow you to see your property terrain and more wildlife. Following Mississippi Forestry Best Management Practices (mfc.ms.gov) (pgs. 8-11) will help you properly locate and maintain skid trails, truck roads, and log landings. Good roads not only improve access, but they enhance the look of your forest.

Wildlife and Fisheries. If you like to hunt, then you may enjoy reading Attract More Wildlife Through Timber Management (msstate.edu). A well-managed forest is usually great for wildlife. If you have specific wildlife concerns, then an on-site inspection by a wildlife biologist at the MS Dept of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks can provide you with their recommendations. Non-game species restoration and management guidance is provided in Mississippi’s Wildlife Action Plan (mdwfp.com).

General Recreation. You are encouraged to enjoy a variety of forms of active and passive outdoor recreation on your property. For suggestions see; 12 Remarkable Activities To Experience In The Forest (quartzmountain.org) Besides hiking and wildlife viewing there is hunting and riding trails with bikes and off-highway vehicles. If you live on your property, then your recreational needs may be extensive and daily. But if you live far away, your opportunities for recreation may be limited.

3. Make It Healthy

Forest Health Management. Maintaining forest health can be a major concern. Healthy trees are usually young (not over-mature), well-spaced, and free from weed competition. Forest health can change quickly, so your periodic monitoring of health problems is important. To do this, you will need some knowledge of common health issues for the tree species you are growing.

The Health Page (mfc.ms.gov) addresses common insect and disease problems. More detailed pest information is in the Forest Health Guide for Georgia (gatrees.org) and Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants in the Home Landscape (msstate.edu). Two emerging loblolly pine diseases are brown spot needle blight (aces.edu) and Pine Decline (auburn.edu). New tree health problems are also springing up following the 2023 exceptional drought. For insight on damage and how you can speed up recovery review Drought & Heat Impacts on Trees (bugwoodcloud.org). An outbreak of Ips bark beetles (caes.uga.edu) occurred as the Ips beetles took advantage of drought-stricken pines. Drought related hardwood health issues include branch and twig dieback and hypoxylon canker (tamu.edu) invading stems and large scaffold branches.

Recovery from Casualties like Storms, Fire, Flood. Immediately after a casualty loss, contact your forester to help you document your losses and develop a recovery plan. Your quick action may allow you to recover some salvage income. The Federal and MS tax codes allow for a timber casualty loss deduction (mssstate.edu). Exceptional drought and pine beetle damage may be deductible as a non-casualty business loss (timbertax.org).

Government agencies may also have special funds to help you recover. These include USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, and Mississippi Forestry Commission.

Salvage Harvest. Salvaging occurs under the most difficult of circumstances, following a casualty or a severe forest health issue. The purpose of salvage is to utilize damaged timber before it deteriorates. But operationally salvage harvests are a clearcut that removes good and bad trees. Rarely can damaged timber be thinned properly. In this situation you are facing a tough decision. For help see Salvaging Timber: What should I do with my damaged timber? (tamu.edu). The federal tax code allows you treat salvage sale income as an Involuntary Conversion (timbertax.org).

5. Pass It On.

Estate Planning. The successful transfer of property to heirs requires planning and preparation. For general guidance see National Timber Tax Website (timbertax.org). The easiest part will be leaving your heirs a forest property in good condition and capable of producing timber and other products. The hard part will be preparing your heirs to assume responsibilities. Training and encouragement of heirs may take years, so begin early to include them in your forest management decisions. To find a qualified estate planning professional contact the Estate Planning Council of Mississippi.

Heirs’ Property. Sometimes known as family land, this is property transferred to multiple family members by inheritance, usually without a will. When many unnamed heirs share a property, each ends up with only an interest in the property. No heir has a clear title or proof of ownership. Without a clear title, heirs cannot sell timber, lease property, or apply for government assistance. Farmlandaccess.org provides a guide on the special legal issues you are facing with heirs’ property and where to look for help.

National Conservation Priorities

Invasive Species. Over 169 invasive tree, shrub, and vine species have been found in Mississippi. The eleven most Invasive Plants (mfc.ms.gov) are capable of economic and environmental damage and pose a severe threat to your forest management. Control or removal of these plants will be needed. Where mechanical removal is cost prohibitive, Herbicidal Control of Invasive Tree, Shrub, and Vine Species (msstate.edu) may be your best option. When using pesticides always follow the label directions. Certified Tree Farmers are required to keep a record of all pesticide applications on their property. Successful completion of an online Private Applicator Certification Training (msstate.edu) will certify you to purchase and use restricted use pesticides in the MS for a period of 5 years. See Online Private Applicator Certification Program (msstate.edu) for details.

Wild hogs cause more than $66 million in property damage in MS every year. Wild hogs are threatening our economy, farms, lifestyle, treasured places, and native wildlife. If you find hogs on your property, consider trapping them. Operation Hog (msstate.edu) offers a guide to trapping wild hogs.

Streams, Rivers, and Wetlands. MS is blessed with an abundance of water resources. This includes an extensive distribution of rivers, streams, and wetlands (Map right). Detailed watershed information is covered in pages 464-525 in the MS State Wildlife Action Plan (mdwfp.com).

The gray lines mark the four ecoregions delineated in the Plan. From NW to SE: MS River Alluvial Plain (pages 336-403), Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain (pages 214-335), East Gulf Coastal Plain (pages 84-213), and Northern Gulf of Mexico (pages 404-468) Habitats.

Threatened and Endangered Species (T&E). For help investigating possible T&E species on your property, refer to Part 3 MS LMP and the use of the USFWS iPaC database. In addition, the USFWS Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office provides a recent list of Federally Threatened and Endangered Species of Mississippi (fws.gov). If you suspect a T&E species on your property, the USFWS MS Field Office offers consultation and planning assistance. The Natural Heritage Program (mdwfp.com) maintains a natural heritage database which includes listed T&E species in MS.

The Mississippi State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 (mdwfp.com) addresses in detail T&E Species in our four ecoregions (see Map on previous page) and how you can to improve habitat to aid in their recovery.

Forests of Recognized Importance (FORI). FORI represent significant large landscape areas of exceptional ecological, social, cultural, or biological values. These forests are evaluated at the landscape level and are recognized for a combination of unique values. Mississippi Forests of Recognized Importance (msforestry.net) include private property near the six national forests and fifteen national wildlife refuges, and property within the watershed of Ross Bartnett Reservoir. It is important to note that the FORI designation does not compel you to take any action, rather it acts as a reminder that management practice impacts may reach beyond your property boundaries and the presence of FORI should be considered when planning activities.

Historical and Cultural Sites. Landmarks listed on national, Mississippi, and local registers are displayed on the Historic Resources Inventory Map (mdah.ms.gov). Review Part 3 MS LMP for an example of how to use this resource map to evaluate your property. Cemeteries of Mississippi Counties (msgw.org) are county highway maps with cemeteries highlighted.

Forest Restoration Projects. Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) once dominated the southern pine forest. Efforts to restore Longleaf and its associated fire ecosystem is being led by the LongleafAlliance.org. This organization offers a Longleaf library of materials, personal assistance, and financial incentives.

Shortleaf Pine Initiative (shortleafpine.org) was formed in 2013 to address the 50% decline in Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) forests east of the Mississippi River. This website provides information on selecting suitable sites, growing Shortleaf, and other financial incentives available.

WhiteOakInitiative.org was founded in 2017 to stabilize the White Oak (Quercus alba) forest population that has been in decline. This organization offers ten specific forest management practices.

Mississippi Forest Cover Types

There are four cover types in MS: Pine, Oak-Pine, Oak-Hickory, and Mixed Bottomland Hardwoods. Cover types are named for the dominant overstory species found in that forest. Mississippi Trees (mfc.ms.gov) is an online tree identification reference to help you identify trees. There is also a Mississippi Trees App is available for Android (Google Play) or iPhone (App Store) mobile devices.

Pine

Most pine forests are dense, productive plantations with genetically improved seedling stock. Most pines in Mississippi are yellow pine species, Loblolly Pine, Longleaf Pine, Slash Pine, and Shortleaf Pine. An occasional white pine species, Spruce Pine, can be found on moist sites. To help you decide which pine species is best for your property you may want to review Planting Southern Pines: a guide to species selection and planting techniques (msstate.edu). And before you plant, think ahead about how you will thin your pine trees Southern Pine Density Management for a Healthier Forest (msstate.edu).

Loblolly pine is the primary species for timber production. Loblolly does well with many site conditions from dry to wet. Loblolly reproduces well with planted seedlings and grows in high densities. Loblolly can have comparatively poorer form, a denser crown, and faster growth than other southern pines.

Shortleaf pine commonly occurs in natural, even, and uneven aged stands, and is often mixed with hardwood and loblolly pine. Shortleaf pine can be planted and managed as a plantation on appropriate sites.

Longleaf pine can be naturally reproduced or be planted with containerized seedlings. It prefers dry infertile sites. The tree is slow growing initially but speeds up after age 20. It is adapted to a fire ecosystem, long rotations, and low densities. Longleaf has good stem straightness and quality which makes it ideal for utility poles. Wood is high in resin so timber weighs about 5% more than Loblolly or Shortleaf.

Slash pine is primarily reproduced by planted seedling and found on wet sandy sites. Slash is managed at lower densities than Loblolly. Wood resin content is high so timber weighs 5% more than Loblolly or Shortleaf.

Wildlife Habitat Management and Protection. Pine forests can provide excellent wildlife habitat management, including white-tailed deer and eastern wild turkey. See Attract More Wildlife Through Timber Management (msstate.edu). To make a pine stand more favorable for wildlife; thin to a lower stem density or create small clearcuts for wildlife openings. Curve the edges timber stands to the topography to create more edge. Prescribed fire in pine forests in the late spring can be effective in controlling hardwood and stimulate forb production for wildlife.

Identified Species Management Considerations

Loblolly and Slash Pine considerations: Both Loblolly and Slash pines are shade intolerant which makes them best suited for even-aged management. Loblolly pine can grow quickly, especially on moist upland clay and clay loam soils. Slash pine is very productive when grown on moist to wet acid soils in flatwoods. Both species are considered offsite on deep, excessively drained sandy soils. They can be grown on short rotations for pulpwood, wood pellets, oriented strand board and chip-n-saw. When grown for longer rotations they produce higher valued products such as saw timber, poles, and ply logs. See Growing Poles in Southern Pine Stands (bugwoodcloud.org). Management regimes and rotation lengths are determined by local markets and landowner objectives.

Shortleaf Pine considerations: Shortleaf pine is shade intolerant and is best suited for even- aged management. It is a prolific seeder that can create thick dog-haired stands requiring pre-commercial thinning. Shortleaf pine seedlings have an unusual j-shaped crook in their stem at ground-line. This crook has dormant lateral buds, which will grow a new stem if the top is killed. This is an adaptation to fire.

Longleaf Pine considerations: Longleaf pine has a grass stage where the top does not grow until the root system establishes itself. Getting trees out of this grass stage can take 1-5 years depending on initial weed control and seedling quality. Herbicide Options for Management of Longleaf Pine (msstate.edu) can shorten the time Longleaf seedlings are in the grass stage.

Late winter prescribed fires release Longleaf from weed competition and remove brown spot needle blight infected foliage. Once trees break out of the grass stage, their height growth rate is comparable to other pines. Longleaf tends to be straighter, smaller in diameter and with fewer branches. Longleaf also tends to be more resistant to wind damage and pine beetle attacks. They can also be very long-lived.

Longleaf is well-suited for either natural or plantation even-aged management. Natural uneven-aged management is also an option. This would require thinnings and group selection harvests on regular intervals along with fire and herbicides.

Oak-Pine

Oak-Pine forests are found on upland sites and can carry a great mixture of ages and species in the overstory. Red and White Oaks account for about 75% of the stem basal area while Pines are around 25%. Fall foliage coloration of diverse hardwoods can be quite beautiful. Mature Oak and Pine are shade intolerant, so they prefer to grow together in one dominant canopy. Pines are usually older than the Oak. Young Oaks can tolerate some Pine shade and over time Oaks replace Pines as they grow old and die.

For advice on a management strategy review Managing Mixed Pine-Hardwood Stands (msstate.edu). Oak-Pine forests tend to be lower in timber productivity than Pine forests and are not as intensively managed. They are not fire tolerant. Regeneration of Oak-Pine is possible using a group selection clearcut that is several acres in size. Hardwood stems are cut at ground level to encourage coppice. A supplemental planting of 200 +- pine seedlings per acre before hardwood sprouting can create an Oak-Pine Forest.

Shade-tolerant species like elm inhibit Oak regeneration. Timber stand improvement using herbicides and a single stem application method can control these shade-tolerant species and remove inferior stems. See Herbicide Options for Mixed Pine-Hardwood Management (msstate.edu) for your options. Reducing stem density improves acorn production and stem diameter growth.

Oak-Pine stands can also be thinned using marked selection, which involves marking trees for sale with paint. Review Hardwoods: Intermediate Treatments (msstate.edu) for advice. A marked timber sale allows you to control residual tree species, density, and quality. Some good trees may need to be marked to ensure an operable and profitable sale. Marked timber sales will be needed every 20 years or so to establish oak regeneration. This also gives young oaks more sunlight so they can grow up into the upper canopy.

Oak-Hickory

Oak-Hickory forests are a combination of sun loving Oaks and shade tolerant Hickories on upland sites. These forests may be managed as either an even-aged forest to encourage oaks or as an uneven-aged forest to encourage hickories. Species diversity is high, twenty distinct species on an acre is common. Fall coloration is a treat. In the main canopy, Hickories and other shade tolerant trees are usually younger than the Oaks. These will slowly grow into the upper canopy and replace Oaks as they die.

A common question is, Which should I grow on my property, pine, or hardwood? The site index of forest species on your soil can help you decide. Site index is the height of better trees for a particular species expected at a reference age. For example, your soil may be able to grow cherrybark oak 90 feet tall at age 50 years. It has a site index of 90 for cherrybark oak. Use this site index, base age 50, to grade soils and sites like a school teacher. If the site index is 90 feet or more at age 50 then give it a grade A, for it is ideally suited to grow quality trees. Site Index 80-89 is graded a B and marginally suited to growing quality trees. A site index below 80 feet is graded a C and deemed poorly suited to growing quality trees. Consider planting pines once oak site index drops below 80 feet in 50 years.

Many of our Oak-Hickory forests have had diameter-limit cut or selective cut for generations. This harvest removed the good trees and left the inferior ones repeatedly. Therefore, you need to evaluate your timber quality to know if it is manageable. Review Upland Hardwoods: Should I Manage or Regenerate My Stand? (msstate.edu) for advice.

Oak-pine forests are managed less intensely than pine forests. A common objective is to maintain its character and beauty. The diversity of acorn and hickory nut production benefits a wide range of wildlife. Reducing the density of trees will increase acorn and nut production and improve stem diameter growth. Timber Stand Improvement using firewood cuts and single tree applications of herbicides can bring partial sunlight back into the forest to encourage Oak regeneration. For more information see Herbicide Options for Hardwood Management (msstate.edu)

Oak species need a timber sale or some kind of disturbance about every 20 years. Timber sales can be a scattering of group selections that are several acres in size with the in- between areas thinned. The idea is to establish new Oak seedlings in openings. Cut stumps at ground level, so that when young Oak and Hickory resprout their coppice will be well formed from low stumps. Natural Reproduction Methods for Hardwood Regeneration (msstate.edu). Thinnings every 20 years or so encourage young Oaks to grow up into the upper canopy. Trees for sale should be marked with paint. Your decisions on individual trees when marking timber can vastly improve the species mix and stem quality.

Mixed Bottomland Hardwood

Mixed bottomlands are a truly diverse combination of forest types that are associated with streams, rivers, low-lying wet areas, and depressions. A few feet of elevation difference will change water drainage, timber productivity, and forest type. See Hardwood Ecology (msstate.edu) for guidance on species site relationships and other topics. Common bottomland forest types are Sweetgum/Red Oak/White Oak, Willow Oak/Water Oak, Sweetgum/Yellow Poplar, Sugarberry/American Elm/Green Ash, Sycamore/Sweetgum/American Elm, Black Willow, Cottonwood, and Baldcypress/Water Tupelo.

Hardwood plantations are becoming common in the Delta and other river bottoms. We are seeing only limited success with these plantations. To improve your chance for success, use a soil/site guide to help you determine which species or mix of species to plant. See Site Evaluation for eight important southern hardwood species Baker Broadfoot (srs.fs.usda.gov) for help. You will also need to understand the special care needed by hardwood seedlings; Artificial Regeneration of Bottomland Hardwoods (msstate.edu). Hardwoods also have special needs when thinning at mid-rotation; Thinning Hardwood Plantations (msstate.edu). Logging operability may be limited to dry seasons.

Most natural hardwood forests are even-aged but uneven-aged management is possible. Coppice and seedlings-in-place are common sources of oak regeneration. In mature hardwoods, group selection several acres in size and thinnings between about every 20 years will increase light availability and encourage oak development. Another option is Bottomland Hardwoods Natural Regeneration Using the Shelterwood System (msstate.edu) Timber production and mast for wildlife can be increased by marking inferior stems and species for removal. Individual tree injections are also effective.