FOREST STEWARDSHIP AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

Prepared For:
Mr. Chad Gifford Sawtooth
Galloway, Atlantic County

Zimber Timber, LLC

Colleen Hill, Kelsie Grover, Michael Zsoldos, and Sarah Lipuma
December 6th, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.....4
OBJECTIVES....4
ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT...5
METHODOLOGY..5
RESULTS....6
HISTORY OF LAND....6
FIRE EVENTS..7
PRESCRIBED BURNS.8
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES..8
DETAILS OF STANDS......10
SOIL.....12
CARBON SEQUESTRATION...13
SILVICS..13
PROJECTED FUTURE WITH & WITHOUT MANAGEMENT.16
MANAGEMENT/STEWARDSHIP PLAN....17
OVERALL LANDSCAPE PLAN.....17
SILVICULTURE PRESCRIPTIONS BY STAND...18
ATLANTIC WHITE-CEDAR STAND..19
CONIFEROUS STAND..19
CONIFEROUS WOODED WETLAND.21
DECIDUOUS CONIFEROUS STAND..22
CONIFEROUS DECIDUOUS STAND..22
TIME TABLE23
10 YEAR TIME TABLE 23
FOLLOWING 20 YEAR TIME TABLE24
ECONOMICS24
FIRST 10 YEARS...25
FOLLOWING 20 YEARS...25
CONTINGENCY PLANS.....26
PATHOGENS/DISEASE........26
PESTS. ..26
WILDFIRE......27
INVASIVE SPECIES......28
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.....29
FINAL CONCLUSIONS.........30
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.........30
LITERATURE CITED............31
APPENDICES.............35

FIGURES...............35
STAND & UNDERSTORY CONDITIONS.....37
MAPS................39
TREATMENTS BY YEAR43

INTRODUCTION
Managing forests for multiple use and sustained yield is a complex task for landowners
who want to maintain ecological health while making a profit off their investment. Zimber
Timber, LLC is well aware of the challenges landowners face and can help streamline the
process to a well-managed, profitable, sustainable, and long-lived forests that meets all rules and
regulations set forth by the Pinelands Commission and the state of New Jersey.
Our client, Chad Gifford Sawtooth, is a retired forester who wants his South Jersey forest
to maximize forest products sustainably and maximize profit. With proper management,
Sawtooth forest has the potential to produce a sustainable income for Mr. Sawtooth and future
generations. Our goal for this forest is to maximize profit and follow best management practices
for the wetlands and pinelands habitat on this property. Our silviculture prescriptions will aim to
reestablish marketable tree species while improving overall site quality. Preventative measures
and treatment will be applied for any pests and pathogens that could potentially jeopardize the
health and quality of Sawtooth Forest. A regimen of prescribed burns will serve many purposes,
including reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires and increasing specific tree species
regeneration.

OBJECTIVES
1.

To make sure Sawtooth Forest produces the maximum amount of forest products and
profit using ecological forestry to maintain sustained yields.

2.

To meet Farmland Tax Assessment criteria of New Jersey.

3.

To protect against wildfires.

4.

To produce a maximum sustainable yield of wood fiber while meeting all threatened and
endangered species rules, and Pinelands and State regulations.

5.

To protect against all forest pests and pathogens.

6.

To follow the guidelines for NJ forest stewardship plan.

Our objective, as a class and as a company, was to use proper measurement techniques,

data entry, and forest management concepts to create a comprehensive management plan based
on the needs of our assigned client. Our task was to synthesize the data gathered from each stand
with the information provided for us by Dr. Zimmermann and other reputable sources. Our
silviculture prescriptions are based on current sustainable forestry practices and have to adhere to
best management practices.

ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
METHODOLOGY
Sawtooth Forest encompasses a total area of 101.18 acres within the South Jersey Pine
Barrens. The clients land consists of six stands, five of which were surveyed. The Atlantic
white-cedar stand is 8.05 acres and was assigned four plots. The Coniferous stand is 9.52 acres
and was assigned five plots. The Deciduous-Coniferous stand is 16.66 acres and was assigned
five plots. The second largest stand is the 26.70 acre Coniferous Wooded Wetland where five
plots were assigned. The largest stand is the 36.01 acre Coniferous-Deciduous forest where six
plots were assigned. The Brush-dominant and Bog Wetlands are 4.24 acres in area but no plots
were assigned to them. There is also 8.23 acres of reservoirs and 0.95 acres of commercial and
service areas, which are not forest lands. Each plot surveyed was 1/20 of an acre, which is
equivalent to approximately 2,173 square feet in area.

A JUNO GPS was used to verify that we were in the correct stand. In each plot, trees
were measured for total height and diameter at breast height (DBH). DBH was measured with
diameter tape at about four and a half feet off the ground. Any trees with a DBH of 10 inch or
greater were measured for merchantable height as well as total height. All trees within the plots
were measured for total height. Height measurements were taken with a Suunto Clinometer at 50
or 100 feet away from the base of each tree. Cores were taken at each stand using an increment
borer; two cores per dominant or codominant species. The condition of species within the plots
was determined to be living, undesirable, or dead. The crown class of each species in the plots
was determined to be dominant, codominant, intermediate, or suppressed. Understory vegetation
and the amount of disturbance was recorded for each plot.
Information was collected about land use history, prescribed fire procedures, sustainable
yield, and silviculture from many sources provided by Dr. George Zimmerman, and through
research of government and peer-reviewed scientific resources. GIS data about the forest came
from Dr. Weihong Fan and Dr. Zimmerman. Maps were created from this data using ArcGIS.
Professional forester Bob Williams gave us valuable information about proper forest
management, John Klischies of the New Jersey Forest Service imparted information about
management of pests and diseases, and Dr. Jack Connor gave us insights into the management
for improving bird habitat.

RESULTS
HISTORY OF LAND
Aerial land images from 1933 reveal different stand density than what is presently seen,
shown in Figure 1. Dams are visible in the photo, indicating that Lake Fred was once used as a
working cranberry (Vaccinium sp.) bog and sawmill. The upper portion of the Coniferous-

Deciduous stand was heavily harvested, as well as a portion of the Coniferous stand. Portions of
the Coniferous Wooded Wetland that are closest to Lake Fred, show evidence of significant
timber removal. At that time, trees were most likely harvested for timber or for charcoal. The
photo also shows the upper edge of the Deciduous-Coniferous stand was completely clearcut for
agricultural crops.
Aged cores from hardwood species in the Coniferous Wooded Wetland support what we
see in the image. There are a number of blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), red maple (Acer rubrum),
white oak (Quercus alba), and scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) that are very close in age in this
stand. By aging their cores, it was determined that they are all approximately 50 to 65 years old.
Two Atlantic white-cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) and one pitch pine (Pinus rigida) were
found to be over 100 years old. We can assume that the older trees were most likely from the
lower, uncut section of the Coniferous Wooded Wetland and that there were once higher, even
aged densities of Atlantic white-cedar and pitch pine in the upper portion. Atlantic white-cedar
and pitch pine seedlings were probably outcompeted by opportunistic hardwoods, which explains
the young, nearly even-aged hardwood species found in the current plot surveys.
FIRE EVENTS
There have been at least four large fires (burning an area greater than 100 acres) near and
around the property. A map of the 100 acre fires is shown in map 7 of the appendix. Starting
from the earliest, the 1928 fire burned 798 acres to the east of the property, stopping just at the
lake adjacent to the property and reaching just feet away from the boundary of the DeciduousConiferous stand. The next fire occurred in 1936 and burned 330 acres to the northeast. A very
large fire in 1940 burned 2199 acres all along the eastern border of the property. The most recent
large fire happened in 1950 and burned 193 acres southwest of the property.

PRESCRIBED BURNS
In the recent past, Stockton reintroduced fire into some parts of the forest by
administering prescribed burns. A map of the prescribed burns is shown in map 8 of the
appendix. There were ten prescribed burns from the years 2002 to 2009 in total on the campus
property covering 290 acres. One of them was directly on Sawtooth Forest property. This
prescribed burn was in 2006 and covered 36 acres, including the majority of the ConiferousDeciduous stand, all of the Coniferous stand, and some of the Coniferous Wooded Wetland. A
prescribed fire in 2005 burned 16 acres to the west of Sawtooth Forest.
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
The following data is exclusively derived from surveys conducted by Marathon
Engineering & Environmental Services, lnc. in 2008 and 2009. Their findings focus on target
threatened and endangered (T&E) species that may be residing on or near the Stockton College
campus. Aside from an active Coopers hawk nest found during the survey period, Marathon
found no threatened and endangered species residing within the boundaries of Sawtooth Forest.
Targeted raptor species included Coopers hawk (Accipiter cooperii), red-shouldered
hawk (Buteo lineatus), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and barred owl (Strix varia), with
the inclusion of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Out of these species, only Coopers hawk had
active nesting sites on campus during the 2007 and 2008 breeding seasons. The active Coopers
hawk nest was discovered in the Atlantic white-cedar wetlands along the Cedick Run corridor,
section CR1 (See Figure 2). This was also the most frequently encountered target raptor species.
Due to recent stability, a proposal has been issued to have Coopers hawk removed from the list
of threatened and endangered wildlife in New Jersey. The Atlantic white-cedar wetlands along
the Cedick Run corridor also serve as critical foraging and migration habitat for other raptors.

The barred owl also can use the Atlantic white-cedar wetlands of Cedick Run for
foraging. It was concluded that the barred owl uses trees in the Cedick Run wetlands for roosting
but there were no suitable nesting cavities found in this area. Despite occurrences of barred owl
vocalization, it is believed that this species is not nesting on campus. According to Marathon,
The absence of barred owl calls from the Stockton campus during the courtship period [lateFebruary to mid-April]...indicates that the local pair(s) may nest at an offsite location(s)
(Marathon, 2009, p. 32).
There were no nesting sites found on campus for bald eagles or ospreys. Marathon
concluded that Lake Fred provides foraging habitat for transient bald eagles and ospreys, and
that Morses Mill Stream is likely the primary route between Lake Fred and either species
estuarine nesting sites. The red-shouldered hawk was encountered in the western end of campus.
It is Marathons opinion that the Stockton campus does not provide critical breeding, foraging,
or roosting habitat for red-shouldered hawk (p. 34).
Andrea M. Teti, Inc. conducted surveys for T&E snake species on Stocktons campus in
2008. Neither northern pine snake, corn snake, nor timber rattlesnake were captured, observed,
heard, nor was evidence of their presence (e.g., road-kill, eggs, shed skins, tracks) found within
any of the Study Areas or the overall Study Site (Andrea M. Teti, Inc., 2008, p. 13). Marathon
conducted surveys for T&E amphibian species in 2009. The results of their surveys in 2007 and
2008 indicate that the Stockton campus does not contain populations of southern gray tree frog
(Hyla versicolor), eastern mud salamander (Pseudotriton montanus), or eastern tiger salamander
(Ambystoma tigrinum). Two active breeding locations were found in the eastern portions of
Stocktons campus for the Pine Barrens treefrog (Hyla andersonii), shown in Figure 3. Both
breeding locations are outside of Sawtooth Forest.

Marathons protected floral survey found two protected species on Stocktons campus.
According to Marathon, The investigation revealed the presence of Pine Barren Gentian
[Gentiana autumnalis] within a historically disturbed fallow field located within the Pinelands
Research Area along College Drive and an abandoned sand trail (Protected floral species
survey report, p. 26). Little ladies tresses (Spiranthes tuberosa), a protected species, was also
found on campus in a fallow field adjacent to College Drive. Marathon did not identify pale
beaked-rush (Rhynchospora pallida), Knieskern's beaked-rush (Rhynchospora knieskernii) or
any other protected floral species on Stocktons campus.
The last target species that Marathon surveyed for was the red-headed woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus). Marathon did not find any evidence of red-headed woodpecker
activity on the Stockton campus or adjacent properties during our 2007 and 2008 field surveys
(p. 14). Results also indicate that there is no critical habitat for the red-headed woodpecker on
Stocktons campus, or on immediately adjacent properties.
DETAILS OF STANDS
The following is general observations from each stand including wildlife, species of
interest, understory composition, and evidence of fire. Refer to map 1 for details on the locations
of stands in reference to each other and the surrounding landscape. Refer to Stand and
Understory Conditions section in the appendix for more information on the percentage of tree species
and basal area per acre in each stand and details on the understory and litter layer composition for each
stand.

There were moderate levels of diversity in each plot within the Atlantic white-cedar
stand. Wildlife such as frogs, squirrels, hawks, and invertebrates were seen throughout the stand.
Sundew (Drosera sp.), an endangered plant species, was seen in all four plots. There was a
noticeably high volume of coarse woody debris in plot three, as well as a notable litter layer
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throughout the plots. There was no evidence of fire in the Atlantic white-cedar stand which is
most likely due to frequently waterlogged ground. The soil in this stand was dark, moist muck.
Portions of the Coniferous-Deciduous stand showed evidence of fire. The understory in
this stand ranged from 0-2 ft. tall and was relatively thick; mainly composed of blueberry
(Vaccinium sp.) and cranberry. The understory was 2-8 ft. tall and was sparse and clustered
where present; it was mainly composed of scrub oaks (Quercus ilicifolia). The regeneration of
pitch pine, black oak (Quercus velutina) and scarlet oak were all under 12 inches with the
exception of one pitch pine standing 6 feet tall. The forest floor had anywhere from 1-3 inches of
pine needle and oak leaf litter. The soil was downer loam sand that was medium brown in color.
In the majority of the plots, there was some downed coarse woody debris but not an
overabundance. Some black oaks were cored but were unable to be aged due to rotten cores,
indicating a health issue with the black oaks in the stand. The wildlife consisted of a few
Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) and white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis),
determined by vocalizations.
There was some evidence of fire within the Coniferous Wooded Wetland stand. While
measuring the plots, a chickadee (Poecile sp.) was heard and a Belted kingfisher (Megaceryle
alcyon) was observed flying along the boundary of plot one and Lake Fred. Other observations
consisted of grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata). Witches
broom was observed on a number of pitch pines. Succession was observed in the understory of
this stand, along with some coarse woody debris and a 1-2 inch litter layer of pine needles and
greenbrier leaves. The soil was atsion sand and muck; dark, rich, and moist.
Many of the oak species in the Deciduous-Coniferous stand were determined to be in
poor condition, especially those in the plots closest to the Coniferous-Deciduous stand. There

11

were some old signs of fire, such as charred fallen branches and minimal burn scars on trees. The
litter layer was composed of mostly oak leaves with some pine needles and holly leaves. The
understory consisted of sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), ericaceous shrubs, and American
holly (Ilex opaca) saplings. The most predominant soil type in this stand was Klej loamy sand.
There was clear evidence of fire in plots two and three of the Coniferous stand.
Throughout the stand there was a 0.5-1 inch litter layer consisting of pine needles and oak leaves.
The litter layer in plot three was predominantly pine needles. The shrub layer in this stand ranged
from 1.5-7 inches high. Plot four was located on the edge of a prescribed fire trench and
contained many split trees. The dominant soil type was downer loam sand.
SOIL
The soils of Sawtooth forest are representative of the soils of the Pinelands in South
Jersey. They are developed from the Cohansey geologic formation. There were five soil types in
the forest: atsion sand, berryland sand, downer loam sand, Klej loamy sand, and muck. The
distribution of the soils can be seen in Figure 5 in the Maps section of the Appendix. Atsion sand
is a poorly drained soil with a slope of 0 to 2 percent, located in the Coastal Plain in flats and
depressions. It is acidic to extremely acidic throughout. Atsion sand is mostly located along the
western side of the coniferous wooded wetland. Berryland soils are very poorly drained,
extremely acidic, on uplands and lowlands of the coastal plain. The slope is also 0 to 2 percent.
Berryland sands are located at the southeastern portion of the forest and covers the least amount
of area.
Downer loam sand covers the greatest portion of our forest. It is well drained and has a
slope of 0 to 5 percent in the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain. Klej loamy sand is located on the
border of the developed area to the east in the forest. It drains somewhat poorly and is found

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along the coastal plain on broad upland depressions and flats. The Coniferous Wooded Wetland
and the Atlantic white-cedar stand grow in muck soil which is almost constantly saturated. Muck
soils form in shallows pools. Atsion, Berryland, and Muck are all acidic, wetlands soils (NJ
Pinelands Commission). Locations of the soil types in the Sawtooth Forest stand can be seen in
map 2 in the appendix.
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
In accordance with the NJ Forest Stewardship guidelines, the management of Sawtooth
Forest will attempt to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Managed forests grow fast and
therefore take up more CO2 from the atmosphere through their trees, biomass, and soil (NJDEP).
In this way, forests act as an important sink for carbon. In addition, timber products that are not
used for fuel or charcoal continue to store carbon, even after harvest.
SILVICS
Our management plan will mainly focus on the regeneration of Atlantic white-cedar and
shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata). Atlantic white-cedar grows on wet ground or in swamps on
muck that does not contain a lot of clay and silt; typically Spodosol and Histosol soils (Little &
Garrett, 2004). Germination is epigeal and seeds typically do not germinate until the second year
after seed fall (Little & Garrett, 2004). The shade tolerance of Atlantic white-cedar is still under
debate. While Little (1950) argues that seedlings will grow under closed canopy conditions,
Pinchot (1899) observed no new seedlings beginning after the crowns of a young stand had
closed (Mylecraine & Zimmermann, 2000).
Seedlings develop a shallow taproot system that must have access to moisture. Areas that
have standing water for long periods of time are not suitable for germination or seedling survival.
The taproot is lost after the first year of growth, but when the roots mature they remain shallow,

13

only growing within the upper 1-2 feet of peat (Mylecraine & Zimmermann, 2000). According to
Little (1950), the best growth is achieved in swamps with a relatively dry surface that is about 4
to 5 inches above the water table. Hummocks above the water table provide the most ideal
conditions, but seedlings can still die during dry periods (Little & Garrett, 2004).
According to Little (2004), Suitable seedbeds include moist rotting wood, sphagnum
moss, and muck...and moist mineral soil. A thick litter layer of pine needles, or the leaves of
shrubs and hardwood trees, is unfavorable (p. 187). Dense slash is also unfavorable for seedling
development (Little & Garrett, 2004). At maturity, this species can survive with a hardwood
understory, however Fowells (1965) found that Atlantic white-cedar is not shade tolerant enough
to grow through dense shrub thickets or through a hardwood overstory (Little & Garrett, 2004, p.
190). Because of high competition with hardwoods, relatively open conditions, such as clearcuts,
are essential for good survival and growth of seedlings.
Shortleaf pine requires different moisture and soil needs than Atlantic white-cedar.
Shortleaf pine is typically found on Ultisol and suborder Udult soils, which are moist and
relatively low in organic matter (Lawson, 2004). Shortleaf grows best on deep, well-drained soils
that have fine sandy or silty loam textures (Lawson, 2004). Fowells (1965) found that Shortleaf
pine can grow on drier, less fertile soil because it has a larger root system and a lower demand
for nutrients. This species releases its seeds in the winter and epigeous germination usually takes
place the following spring (Lawson, 2004). According to Lawson (2004), Scarification during
logging and burning provide effective site preparation for natural regeneration of shortleaf pine.
Control of hardwood competition is also necessary to insure survival of seedlings . . . (p. 636).
Lawson (2004) also mentions that suitable seedbeds can be obtained through a combination of

14

mechanical site preparation techniques, such as mowing, disking, roller drum chopping,
chemical treatments, and raking off litter.
Shortleaf Pine seeds can be administered through broadcast seeding, spot seeding, row
seeding, or by natural seed fall. Although natural seed fall and direct seeding are less expensive
to apply, there is a higher risk of unsuccessful establishment. Another method is direct planting
of seedlings. Shortleaf pine seedlings are commonly produced in nurseries and out planted as 1year-old, bare rooted nursery stock (Lawson, 2004, p. 637). The best time to plant seedlings is
from late February to early March; seedlings that are planted too late in the season can die from
drought or from high competition with established vegetation.
Growth and development of seedlings and saplings can be greatly inhibited by
competition from woody and nonwoody plants. Pre-harvest hardwood control by stem injection,
soil application of herbicide, and rotary mowing with herbicide spraying facilitated shortleaf pine
regeneration within a mature stand in southern Arkansas (Lawson, 2004). Fowells (1965)
observed that elimination of overstory competition resulted in 60-percent survival of five year
old trees.
Eyre (1980) found that, shortleaf pine is a shade-intolerant species and does not survive
or grow well when suppressed (p. 641). If conditions allow seedlings to surpass competing
vegetation, it can maintain dominance despite a persisting hardwood understory. Removal of
understory competition may also increase growth rates (Bower & Ferguson, 1986, p. 641).
Established pines will begin to compete with each other, causing diameter growth rates to
decline (Williston & Dell, 1974); and so, shortleaf pine responds well to release (Fowells, 1965;
Yocum, 1971).

15

PROJECTED FUTURE WITH & WITHOUT MANAGEMENT

Sawtooth Forest is currently made up of pockets of very understocked and very
overstocked, generally undesirable stands with signs of past high-grading and inadequate
management. Without proper sustainable management, the forest could be adversely impacted by
insect infestations and deer browsing. Insects like the Southern pine bark beetle (Dendroctonus
frontalis Zimm.) have already been found within a mile of the forest and could cause major loss
of income if the infestation reaches Sawtooth Forest.
Potential wildfires can go from manageable to catastrophic if there is a significant buildup of ladder fuels such as dense understory brush and small trees. A forest that is retaining fuels
can also become a threat to surrounding areas because of its high risk of fire.
Without disturbances like fire, the make-up of this forest could change completely.
Mesophication could occur to the entire forest, which would favor hardwoods like blackgum,
sassafras (Sassafras albidum), and red maples which thrive in the fire-starved Pine Barrens
(Nowacki and Abrams, 2008). These trees favor wet, cool, shaded areas and can outcompete fireadapted pitch pines over time without management. If we bring back fire and conduct hardwood
control during our management, we could prevent this forest from turning into one homogenous
hardwood stand. With clearcuts, we could bring back Atlantic white-cedar regeneration and
bring the stand to acceptable stocking levels. Disturbance will encourage pines to grow and
retain the historical pinelands natural features.

MANAGEMENT/STEWARDSHIP PLAN
OVERALL LANDSCAPE PLAN
Sawtooth Forest is a heterogeneous mixture of pine, oak, and cedar forest that borders a
medium-sized institution. The forest sits to the north and west of Richard Stockton Colleges

16

academic buildings. Lake Fred separates the forest from the student apartments. This forest is
flanked by Delaware Avenue which is an unpaved dirt road that receives little to no automobile
traffic. Lakeside Lane is a frequently travelled paved road within Stockton College that runs
along the Deciduous-Coniferous stand.
Before prescribed burns we will send out letters to local residents, informing them of
burning dates. We will also send a letter to Stockton College with the same information. Since
we will be using seed-tree cuts, thinnings, and establishment cuts, we will not intentionally
create patches and corridors. Any invasive species will be removed during burns or with
mechanical and chemical treatments. A small buffer will be left along Lakeside Lane and
Delaware Avenue. This will serve as a barrier to deter any increase in bird traffic; bird traffic
through a disturbed landscape could result in seeding of new tree species or invasive species.
The forest stands are defined as separate entities because they are aggregations of
homogenous units, or patches. Areas like the Atlantic white-cedar stand have a distinct boundary
from the Coniferous Wooded Wetland around it. On the other hand, the Coniferous-Deciduous
stand and the Coniferous stand do not have as clear of a boundary. Strip corridors will be created
when fire lines are plowed, which provide migration routes for interior species to move through.
Sawtooth Forest has a significant area of wetlands. In accordance with the Pinelands
Commissions rules on wetlands, the wetlands area has been identified and a 300 foot buffer has
been created around the wetlands, shown in map 4. The 300 foot buffer encompasses a
significant portion of the forest. Forestry and extraction of trees will take place within the 300
foot buffer. All best management practices and precautions will be put into place to make sure
that the wetland is not adversely and permanently affected.

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Hardwoods, such as red maple, can quickly take over an Atlantic white-cedar stand that
has been clearcut. A contributing factor to this is New Jerseys large white-tailed deer
population. Deer browsing reduces regeneration of tree species by consuming seedlings before
they become a certain height. Winter browsing is especially harmful to Atlantic white-cedar
seedlings because it retains its green foliage year round. Opportunistic deer will readily consume
this species as a seedling, which makes survival even more difficult for Atlantic white-cedar.
Yearly setbacks give competing hardwoods the opportunity to mature into a woody understory,
which is equally detrimental to Atlantic white-cedar regeneration and survival.

SILVICULTURE PRESCRIPTIONS BY STAND

The following is a list of all silvicultural prescriptions for each stand in Sawtooth Forest.
For more detailed descriptions of the diameter distribution, board feet, and cord wood in each
forest stand, refer to Zimmermans stock and stand tables. For locations of loading decks, skid
trails, and roads that will be used to export wood fiber, see map 6 in the appendix.
ATLANTIC WHITE-CEDAR STAND
This stand is very overstocked (USDA, 2008, p. 87). We plan to thin 4.025 acres in year
one and clearcut one acre at ten year intervals. The initial thin and proceeding clearcuts will
lower stocking levels and encourage Atlantic white-cedar regeneration. Low quality trees will be
removed from the stand in the first thin. In year eight we will thin the remaining 4.025 acres. We
will widen old fire break lines and use them as skid trails and bring everything to a loading deck
on Delaware Avenue. A second landing will also be created near the center of Sawtooth Forest.
Temporary bridges can be created with logs and then removed after a harvest or thin. In year
eleven, following the first clearcut, we will monitor for adverse impacts due to deer predation. If
deer predation does not appear to be discouraging growth, we will allow the stand to naturally

18

regenerate the following year; fencing will not be used to deter deer. This stand will be put
approximately on an eighty year rotation.
Harvested trees will be felled away from the stream and ecological harvesting equipment
will be used to remove timber. Best management practices for wetlands will be followed in this
stand during harvests and thins. Harvesting will consist of whole-tree harvests so that we can
avoid leaving slash which would deter Atlantic white-cedar regeneration (USFS). Stumps will be
left in the ground to avoid unnecessary costs.
CONIFEROUS STAND
The Coniferous stand is primarily composed of pitch pine. Shortleaf pine and hardwoods
are mixed in intermittently. The objective for this stand will be to convert the stand to primarily
shortleaf pine with a lower proportion of pitch pine and minimal hardwoods. The first rotation
will begin by performing a seed-tree cut for removing trees. This stand will be managed on a
fifty year rotational basis. There will be a removal of all trees with the exception of larger, high
quality shortleaf pines during the first year. During the second year, approximately 650 seedlings
will be planted per acre on all 9.52 acres. These seedlings will be pretreated with rodent and bird
repellant and planted in late February through early March as per the recommendation of the
USFS silvics manual (636-637 USFS). In approximately year five, the seed trees will be
removed, as shortleaf pine are shade intolerant. While the seed trees are being removed we will
also perform a release cut. We will be removing any of the hardwoods that are re-sprouting, as
well as pitch pines.
In year nine we will plow fire lines. The following year, at the end of December, we will
implement a prescribed burn that will reduce the understory competition to the growing shortleaf
pines. In year sixteen, a commercial thin will be performed to reduce the basal area in the stand

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and will continue to reduce competition between trees. Reducing the basal area will encourage
growth of the young shortleaf pines. At year twenty-four, another prescribed fire will be brought
through the stand. A final commercial thin will be performed in year thirty to spike the growth of
the shortleaf pines over the next twenty years. At year fifty, there will be a final harvest which
will remove the majority of trees in the stand. Again, we will retain seed trees on the stand. The
second rotation will not require seeding as there will be plenty of seeds in the seed bank. The
scarification during logging and burning will provide effective site preparation for natural
regeneration of shortleaf pine (636 USFS). The same process will be followed for future
rotations.
We will perform whole tree harvests during seed-tree cuts/removals and for all
commercial thins. Slash will not be left behind because it would discourage shortleaf pine
regeneration. Stumps will be left in the ground to avoid unnecessary costs. A skid trail will be
created over the existing path that runs through this stand. The loading deck will be located on
Delaware Avenue.
CONIFEROUS WOODED WETLAND
In this stand, we are going to do a multiple tree selection to clear everything while
retaining Atlantic white-cedar and mature red maples for ecological properties as legacy trees.
By doing this, we hope to convert this stand into an Atlantic white-cedar swamp, effectively
enlarging the existing one. Atlantic white-cedar garners far greater profit than sassafras, pitch
pine, blackgum, white oak, and scarlet oak. In year three, we will perform an establishment cut
to remove large areas of low value timber and encourage Atlantic white-cedar regeneration. We
plan to retain all of the Atlantic white-cedar and some of the mature red maple during this cut.
The following year, we will plant 1,000 Atlantic white-cedar seedlings per acre in only 8.8 acres.

20

In year seven, we will check for deer predation and perform a cleaning in the 8.8 acres where the
seedlings were planted.
In year thirty, we will implement a final commercial thin in order to get the maximum
profit from the stand. At that time, we are hoping that the stand will be fully stocked with twenty
five to thirty year old Atlantic white-cedar trees. Since this stand is within the wetlands buffer
and so best management practices will be followed at all times during all operations. The skid
trail for this stand will be the same trail that was used for harvests in the Coniferous stand. The
loading deck will be located in the center of Sawtooth Forest; the same loading deck used for
other stand harvests. Whole tree removal will be used for all cuts, to avoid leaving slash. Stumps
will be left in the ground to avoid unnecessary costs.
DECIDUOUS-CONIFEROUS STAND
This stand is understocked and has a lot of undesirable trees for timber. In year four we
will thin out blackgum and remove all undesirable trees. In year sixteen a commercial thin will
be performed in concert with the commercial thin in the coniferous forest. Bringing fire back into
the stand on a twenty year rotation will improve the site and soil quality. We will plow fire lines
and create buffers the year before the fire and then set a backfire in January. Retaining snags
after the fire will improve the ecological quality of the stand.
Whole tree removal will be used for the removal of low value timber and for the
commercial thin. Stumps will not be removed. Due to this stands proximity to Stocktons
academic buildings, caution must be taken when removing timber. We will use the path that goes
through the Atlantic white-cedar stand and the trails we created from old fire breaks as a skid
trail; the same as those used for other timber harvests. Timber will be brought to a loading deck
on Delaware Avenue.

21

CONIFEROUS-DECIDUOUS STAND
This stand is moderately stocked, bordering on understocked (USDA, 2008, p. 87). In
September to November of year one we will plow existing fire lines and create a buffer zone
along the Coniferous Wooded Wetland stand. Backfire will be introduced in year two, during
January to February. In year three, we will thin and drum-chop 18.005 acres, leaving seed trees.
Although drum-chopping is an expensive process, we feel its needed in order to break up root
mats which inhibit regeneration. Seed trees will be removed and a release cut will be executed in
year six. The stand will be monitored annually to determine whether treatment is needed for
hardwood control. Stocking will also be monitored to prevent overstocking for maximum wood
production. If the stand becomes overstocked we will implement a thin. Projected time for
harvest rotation is approximately sixty to seventy years.
Just like in previous stands, we will perform whole-tree removal during thins and
removal of seed-trees. Stumps will be left in the ground in order to avoid unnecessary costs.
Timber on the north end can be brought to the loading deck in the center of Sawtooth Forest, and
can then be brought to Delaware Avenue. Skid trails will be the widened fire breaks that were
previously used.

22

TIME TABLE

10 YEAR TIME TABLE

Table 1. Prescriptions for 10 years
FOLLOWING 20 YEAR TIME TABLE

Table 2. Prescriptions for years 20 to 30

23

Refer to maps 10 through 18 for a spatial reference of the 10 year time table.

ECONOMICS
The New Jersey Farmland Assessment Program is a property tax reduction program
available to forest landowners with at least five acres of land that are actively managed for forest
products. It requires a woodland management plan, a map of the land, and soil group classes.
Based on the acreage in Sawtooth Forest, our gross income must be at least $552.50 to qualify.
The gross income for the first ten years of Sawtooth forest is $1,551.58 per year. Applying for
the Farmland Assessment Program would reduce taxes from $21,661.85 per year to $458.47 per
year. By stratifying our silvicultural prescriptions we will fulfill the land use requirements of the
Farmland Tax Assessment by applying biennial or annual treatments across the stands.
The tables below show the incomes and costs of the silvicultural treatments outlined in
the timetables by year for the first 10 years, and then the following 20 years of management.
FIRST 10 YEARS

Table 3. Economics of the first 10 years.

24

FOLLOWING 20 YEARS

Table 4. Economics of the following 20 years. Subject to change based on adaptive management.

CONTINGENCY PLANS
PATHOGENS/DISEASE
The NJDEP and USDA list a number of pathogens that may be of concern for NJ tree
species. Although Sudden Oak Death hasnt reached NJ there are some eastern diseases that have
similar symptoms. These include Oak Wilt, Oak Decline, and Bacterial Leaf Scorch. In the
Coniferous-Deciduous stand, we attempted to core two black oaks in two different plots. Both
trees had inner rot that caused the cores to fall apart. This may have been caused by Oak Wilt,
but further evidence would be needed to confirm this. There were no other signs of Oak Wilt in
Sawtooth Forest, however, if any trees become infected in the future they will be promptly
25

removed and root grafts between healthy and diseased trees will be separated (USDA).
Susceptible oak species will be monitored for Oak Wilt as early detection is the best prevention
for this disease. There is no evidence of Oak Decline in this forest.
There was no evidence of Bacterial Leaf Scorch in Sawtooth Forest. This disease has
only recently been discovered to infect trees in forested areas. This bacteria is spread by xylem
feeding insects that travel from tree to tree.We are hoping that by reducing the stocking levels,
we can reduce the chances of this bacteria spreading throughout the forest. According to the
NJDEP, the best treatment for this bacteria is to water affected trees and remove the affected
branches well below the scorched leaves.We will use this as our control method if any trees in
Sawtooth Forest become infected with Bacterial Leaf Scorch.
PESTS
Since we plan to reduce overall stocking of Sawtooth Forest, we are hoping this will
reduce the risk of a Southern pine bark beetle (SPB) infestation. Preventative measures for this
pest will be detrimental to our management plan because we intend to re-establish shortleaf pine
into the Coniferous and Coniferous-Deciduous stands. There appears to be no evidence of
current infestation in Sawtooth Forest, however, there are infected trees near Stocktons
intramural fields and on Stocktons main campus. The most recent SPB outbreaks can be seen in
map 5 of the appendix. In 2005, there was an outbreak in Sawtooth Forest to the southeast of the
campus. In 2010, there was a larger outbreak to the west of Sawtooth Forest. The most recent
outbreak occurred in 2013 in three places around the campus to the west of our forest. According
to the USDA, thinning is known to effectively reduce outbreaks. If an outbreak occurs in
Sawtooth Forest, we will salvage the infected trees while they still hold some value. We will also
implement a Cut-and-Leave cut or Directional Felling to discourage further infestation (see

26

figure 4). According to the NJDEP, Directional Felling is effective in disrupting SPB pheromone
production and attack behavior.
Gypsy Moth infestations would only be a concern in the Deciduous-Coniferous stand
because of the large proportion of deciduous trees. Since we are focusing primarily on Shortleaf
pine and Atlantic white-cedar regeneration we will not take many preventative measures. Gypsy
Moth outbreaks have significantly decreased over the past few years so there has been no need
for preventative action. In the future, if this pest becomes a problem we may implement aerial
pesticide sprays to prevent an outbreak.
WILDFIRE
Historically, there have been numerous fires around the property that have consumed
over 100 acres. There were wildfires in 1928, 1936, 1940, and 1950 that all burned over 100
acres. Some of these fires have burned up to the property lines, but none of the fires have crossed
onto Mr. Sawtooths forest. There have been prescribed burns on the property in the past. In
2006, there was a prescribed burn on the Northwestern portion of the property that was 36 acres
in total (NJFFS). This took place in the Coniferous stand as well as the Deciduous-Coniferous
stand.
There is a large amount of leaf litter and downed woody debris on the forest floor,
making the property extremely susceptible to wildfire. We intend to protect Sawtooth Forest
from devastating wildfires to the best of our abilities. This will be accomplished by
administering prescribed burns throughout the majority of the property, with the exception of the
Atlantic white-cedar stand and the Coniferous Wooded Wetlands as they are of low fire hazard
as described by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Backburns will be used, as this is one of the
safest burning methods and will suit the objectives of the landowner. The fires will be performed

27

in the winter between mid-December and late January; students are not in session during this
time and it will be the safest, overall, for the surrounding properties. We can never guarantee that
there will not be a devastating wildfire but by reducing the fuel loads in the forest we can
minimize the danger of a devastating wildfire.
INVASIVE SPECIES
Some invasive species that may be of concern are Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera
japonica), Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), and Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda). There
is no evidence of Japanese honeysuckle in Sawtooth Forest, however, there is a patch of it
growing between the Arts and Science building and Lake Fred. The forest may become
vulnerable to invasion during the first ten years because we will be performing thins and a
variety of tree removal methods, as well as prescribed burns. According to the NJDEP, a
combination of prescribed burns and herbicides has proven to be the most effective control
method. This will be the desired treatment if an infestation does occur. For smaller infestations,
the NJDEP recommends a variety of mechanical and chemical treatment methods.
Multiflora Rose is located in the same location on Stocktons campus as the Japanese
honeysuckle. Small infestations of Sawtooth Forest will be quickly eradicated with chemical
treatments. If this species enters the forest, we will dice-chop and perform herbicidal stem
injections. Effective herbicides usually contain 2, 4-D and a combination of other herbicides like
Roundup, Crossbow, Spike, and Weedone (NJDEP). There is a heavy infestation of Wisteria
located in Zingraff farm on Stockton Campus, but there is no evidence of this species in
Sawtooth Forest. If Wisteria starts to invade into the forest, we will apply the same control
methods that were used for the Multiflora rose; dice-chop of stem and herbicidal stem injections.

28

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

With the uncertainty of many possible natural and human threats to the sustainable
management of this forest, we have built into the contingency plans adaptive management
practices. Forests, as an important natural resource, require a large timescale and a long range
view of future consequences. Rigid and unresponsive policies placed upon ever-evolving,
heterogeneous, and vulnerable natural resources often result in greater problems than they were
intended to solve. Prescriptions and treatments have to be followed up with frequent monitoring,
from which more knowledge can be derived as the basis for change in the next action (Stankey,
Clark, & Bormann, 2005). Sawtooth Forest will be monitored for multiple years not only for deer
browsing, disease, and insect infestation, but also to analyze the effects past treatments are
having on the flora, fauna, and productivity of the forest.

FINAL CONCLUSIONS
Sawtooth Forest will take time to produce a sustainable yield of timber and a large
amount of income due to its initial poor quality trees. We anticipate that the Atlantic white-cedar
stand and the Coniferous Wooded Wetland will yield the most profitable rotations, followed by
the Coniferous stand if shortleaf pine reestablishment is successful. Unfortunately, we are only
looking at a thirty year period and the Atlantic white-cedar stand is on an eighty year rotation.
This means that the amount Sawtooth will have paid in taxes on the large acreage for the first
two years will trump the income of the next thirty years of income. Qualifying for the Farmland
Assessment Program will reduce the burdensome land tax significantly. Wildfires, pests,
pathogens, and invasive will be monitored closely and managed accordingly. Best management
practices for wetlands and pinelands areas will be followed. Proper management and responsible

29

silvicultural practices will ensure that Sawtooth Forest will be an ecologically sound pinelands
forest and will be very profitable over the long term.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Zimber Timber, LLC would like to thank George Zimmerman, John Klischies, and Bob
Williams for their knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and time. Zimmerman especially has generated
an interest in responsible forestry in a younger generation who can use the concepts they have
learned in many facets of life. Long term thinking, responsibility for the future, balancing
multiple priorities, and understanding the intricacies of natural systems are just some of the skills
and worldviews one can gain from practicing ecological forest management.

30

LITERATURE CITED
Andrea M. Teti, Inc. (2008). Threatened and endangered snake species surveys for the
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
Barnett, James P., John C. Brissette, and William C. Carlson. (1986). Artificial regeneration of
shortleaf pine. In Proceedings, Symposium on the Shortleaf Pine Ecosystem, March 31 April 2, 1986, Little Rock, AR. p. 64-88. Paul A. Murphy, ed. Arkansas Cooperative
Extension Service, Monticello.
Brown, Daniel, & Rexrode, Charles O. (1983, October) Oak Wilt. Forest Insect & Disease
Leaflet 29; USDA Forest Service
Bower, David R., and Edwin R. Ferguson. (1968). Understory removal improves shortleaf pine
growth. Journal of Forestry 66(5):421-422.
Cain, Michael D. (1988). Hardwood control before harvest improves natural pine regeneration.
USDA Forest Service, Research Paper SO-249. Southern Forest Experiment Station,
New Orleans, I-A. 6 p.
Eyre, F. H., ed. (1980). Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American
Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 p.
Fowells, H. A., comp. (1965). Silvics of forest trees of the United States. U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 271. Washington, DC. 762 p.
Hasse, Jim, & Zipse, Bill (2010) Forest Health; Southern Pine Beetle Control. New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection
Hasse, Jim, & Zipse, Bill (2010) Pest and Diseases; Bacterial Leaf Scorch. New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection
Hasse, Jim, & Zipse, Bill (2010) Pests and Diseases; Forest Health in New Jersey. New Jersey

31

Department of Environmental Protection

Lawson, Edwin R. (1986). Natural regeneration of shortleaf pine. In Proceedings, Symposium on
the Shortleaf Pine Ecosystem, March 31 - April 2, 1986, Little Rock, AR. p. 53-63. Paul
A. Murphy, ed. Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Monticello.
Lawson, Edwin R. [Date unknown]. Shortleaf pine, Pinus echinata. B.S. P. Volume 1: Conifers.
<http://na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1>. P. 630-652.
Little, S., Garrett P. W. [Date unknown]. Atlantic White Cedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.)
B.S. P. Volume 1: Conifers. <http://na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1>.
P.182-193.
Marathon Engineering & Environmental Services, lnc. (2008). Phase II (Presence/Absence)
Survey Report: Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma t. tigrinum), Pine Barrens
T'reefrog (Hyla andersonii), Southern Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis), and Eastern
Mud Salamander (Psuedotriton m. montanus). New

Jersey Pinelands Commission

Application No. 1981-1833.046

Marathon Engineering & Environmental Services, lnc. (2009). Protected floral species survey
report. New Jersey Pinelands Commission Application No. 1981-1833.046
Marathon Engineering & Environmental Services, lnc. (2009). Phase II (Presence/Absence)
Survey Report: Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo
lineatus), Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and Barred Owl (Strix varia). New
Jersey Pinelands Commission Application No. 1981-1833.046
Marathon Engineering & Environmental Services, lnc. (2009). Phase II (Presence/Absence)
Survey Report: Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) New Jersey
Pinelands Commission Application No. 1981-1833.046

32

Mielke, Manfred E., Moltzan, Bruce, Oak, Steve, & OBrien, Joseph G. (2002, January) Sudden
Oak Death. Pest Alert
Mylecraine, K. A., & Zimmermann, G. L. (2000). Atlantic white-cedar: Ecology and best
Management Practices Manual.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Science, Research and
Technology (2008, October) New Jersey Non-Native Plants- Japanese Honeysuckle.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Science, Research and
Technology (2008, October) New Jersey Non-Native Plants- Multiflora Rose.
New Jersey Forest Fire Service. (2008). Fire Safety Initiative: Stafford and Barnegat
Township.
<www.state.nj.us/pinelands/images/pdf%20files/FSI%20Report%20%20091908.pdf>.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Good Forest Management is Good Carbon
Management. NJ Forest Stewardship Program. <http://www.state.nj.us/dep/
parksandforests/forest/good_forest_mgt_is_good_carbon_mgt.pdf>.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (2009). Guidelines for Addressing
Wetlands and Flood Hazard Areas in NJ Forest Stewardship Plans. NJ Forest
Stewardship Program. <http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/
wetlands_and_flood_hazard_areas.pdf>.
New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Pinelands Soil Background.
<http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/infor/curric/pinecur/psb.htm>.
Nowacki, G. J. and M. D. Abrams. (2008). The Demise of Fire and Mesophication of Forests
in the Eastern United States. BioScience: 58(2):123-138.
Nowak, John (2013, December 16) Forest Health Protection, Southern Region; Southern Pine

33

Beetle Prevention. USDA Forest Service

Russell, T. E. (1979). Planting and seeding shortleaf pine. In Proceedings, Symposium for the
Management of Pines of the Interior South, November 7-8, 1978. p. 7-13. USDA Forest
Service, Technical Publication SA-TP2. Southeastern Area State and Private Forestry,
Atlanta, GA. 221 p.
Stankey, G. H., R. N. Clark, and B. T. Bormann. (2005). Adaptive Management of Natural
Resources: Theory, Concepts, and Management Institutions. Portland, OR: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 73 p.
Tackett, Keith (2011, July 11) Forest Health Protection- Bacterial Leaf Scorch. United States
Department of Agriculture
Williston, Hamlin L., and T. R. Dell. (1974). Growth of pine plantations in North Mississippi.
USDA Forest Service, Research Paper SO-94. Southern Forest Experiment Station, New
Orleans, LA. 15 p.
Yocom, Herbert A. (1971). Releasing shortleaf pines increases cone and seed production.
USDA Forest Service, Research Note SO-125. Southern Forest Experiment Station, New
Orleans, IA. 2 p.

34

APPENDICES
FIGURES

Figure 1: Historic land usage map, 1933.

Figure 2: Marathon Survey Map. The area in red is our management area. The area in blue is the
Cedick Corridor (CR1) where the active Coopers hawk nest was found in 2007-2008.
35

Figure 3: Marathon Survey breeding sites for the Pine Barrens Treefrog, 2009.

Figure 4. Cut-and-leave method to prevent further infestation of Southern Pine Beetle, according
to the NJDEP. ( http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/njfs_spb4.html )

36

STAND & UNDERSTORY CONDITIONS

CONIFEROUS WOODED WETLAND
TOTAL

Pitch pine

Blackgum

Red maple

Atlantic
white-cedar

White oak

Scarlet oak

Sassafras

Living Basal Area

192.65

64.4%

16.4%

10.1%

9.44%

3.37%

2.98%

0.723%

Living Trees/Acre

680

27.6%

46.4%

9.4%

5.2%

4.1%

1.7%

2.9%

Figure 5. Percent live trees by basal area and number of trees per acre per species.
The understory of this stand consists of a mixture of winterberry, blueberry, greenbrier,
sweet pepperbush, teaberry, mountain laurel, and ferns. The litter layer consists mostly of pine
needles and branches which is 1-2 inches thick.
ATLANTIC WHITE-CEDAR
TOTAL

Atlantic white-cedar

Living Basal Area

259.42

100%

Living Trees/Acre

425

100%

Figure 6. Percent live trees by basal area and number of trees per acre per species.
The understory of this stand consists shrubs and saplings. The saplings are Atlantic
white-cedar, red maple, pitch pine, and holly trees. The shrubs are blueberry, sundew, sweet
pepperbush, and lily. The litter layer consisted of a high volume of dead branches, twigs, and
fallen trees.
CONIFEROUS
TOTAL

Living Basal Area

739.38

Pitch
pine

Short
leaf pine

Post
oak

White
oak

Scarlet
oak

Black
oak

Sassafras

74.29%

12.97%

4.62%

1.88%

4.81%

0.32%

0.54%

Black
Cherry
0.57%

Living Trees/Acre

1360

60.56%

11.27%

8.45%

7.04

4.23%

1.41%

1.41%
1.41%

Figure 7. Percent live trees by basal area and number of trees per acre per species.

37

The understory of this stand consists of shrubs and seedlings. The saplings are oak, scrub
oak, pine, maple and sassafras seedlings. The shrubs are teaberry, huckleberry, lichen, fern,
catbrier, and male berry. The litter layer consisted of 1 inch of pine needles and oak leaves.
DECIDUOUS-CONIFEROUS
TOTA
L

White
oak

Pitch
pine

Red
maple

Scarlet
oak

Sassafras

Living
Basal Area

N/A

26.27%

34.56%

2.71%

18.96%

1.65%

Living
Trees/Acre

N/A

Black
gum

Eastern
red cedar

13.32%

2.71%

Catalpa
2.08%

27.71%

13.25%

6.02%

13.25%

7.23%

22.89%

1.2%
1.2%

Figure 8. Percent live trees by basal area and number of trees per acre per species.
The understory of this stand consists of Holly seedlings and shrubs. The shrubs are blue
berry, sweet pepperbush, bayberry, and mountain laurel. The litter layer consisted of 1 inch of
pine needles and oak leaves.
CONIFEROUS-DECIDUOUS
TOTAL

Pitch pine

White oak

Scarlet oak

Black oak

Sassafras

Living Basal Area

119.65

65.44%

17.49%

11.6%

4.73%

0.74%

Living Trees/Acre

147

55.56%

22.22%

15.56%

4.44%

2.22%

Figure 8. Percent live trees by basal area and number of trees per acre per species.
The understory of this stand consists of saplings and shrubs. Sparse and clustered in
different areas, the understory plants are anywhere from 2 to 8 feet. Scrub oaks, pitch pine, black
oak, and scarlet oak regeneration was present on several plots. The shrubs are blueberries,
cranberries, mountain laurel, laurel, bayberry, and huckleberry. The forest floor had 1 to 3 inches
of leaf litter.

38

MAPS

Map 1: Map of forest stand types.

Map 2. Map of forest soil distribution.

39

Map 3. Geology of the area.

Map 4. Water features, including streams the reservoir, and the 300 foot buffer around the
coniferous wooded wetlands.

40

Map 5. Southern Pine Bark Beetle Outbreaks

Map 6. Roads, firebreaks, loading decks, and trails.

41

Map 7. Historical Fire over 100 Acres

Map 8. Prescribed burns on Stockton Campus (NJDEP).

42

TREATMENTS BY YEAR

Map 9. Year 1

Map 10. Year 2

43

Map 11. Year 3

Map 12. Year 4

44

Map 13. Year 5

Map 14. Year 6

45

Map 14. Year 7

Map 15. Year 8

46

Map 16. Year 9

Map 17. Year 10

47