Missouri Forests Today
Missouri's forest and wildlife resources have made a remarkable recovery from the ravages of the early 20th century. Forest fire control, harvesting of defective trees, and reforestation have all resulted in the quality forest Missourians now enjoy. Today, about 14 million acres of the state are covered with forests, a gain of over one million forested acres in the last 20 years.
Forest Types
Missouri lies on the western edge of the Central hardwood Region. This region covers about 100 million acres, stretching from Missouri to Pennsylvania and from Tennessee to the Lake States. The forests of the Central hardwood Region contain more than 70 deciduous tree species, several evergreens, and many shrubs and forest plants.
Oak-Hickory
This upland association covers the greatest area in Missouri. Oaks dominate, with white, black, scarlet, and northern red oak begin the most common. Post and blackjack oak occur often on drier areas. Less common are southern red, chinkapin, burr, and pin oak. hickory is a minor but consistent part of the association. Other important large tree (overstory) species are blackgum, red and sugar maple, ash, elm, black walnut, and redcedar. Many small tree (understory) species occur in oak-hickory forests. The most common are flowering dogwood, sassafras, redbud, serviceberry, eastern hop hornbeam, and American hornbeam.
Oak-Pine
This upland type occurs on the drier sites in the southern and southeastern Ozarks. it is very similar to the oak-hickory type except that shortleaf pine makes up 25 to 50 percent of the stand. The remainder is primarily oaks, but other harwoods associated with oak-hickory may also be present.
Mixed Hardwoods
This association appears in one small area known as Crowley's Ridge in southeast Missouri. Mixed hardwood forests are a remnant from the geologic period where the Ozarks and Appalachians were one mountain chain. The principal species are yellow-poplar, sweetgum, white oak, northern red oak, American beech, and sugar maple. Black oak, scarlet oak, cherrybark oak, white ash, red maple, and blackgum occur frequently, and hickory is usually present in. Other species found in the mixture include basswood, buckeye, cucumbertree, black cherry, walnut, and butternut. Understory species include flowering dogwood, redbud, American holly, hazel-alder, serviceberry, American hazel, and American hornbeam.
Bottomland Hardwoods
This type occurs on the flood plains adjacent to rivers and streams, and in the Bootheel of southeast Missouri. The land it occupies may be covered with standing water for long periods, as in the swamps of the Boothel, or it may be subject to only short periods of flooding. here, a great number of plant species make up the forest. Important species in river flood plains include pin and bur oak, cottonwood, elm, ash, willow, river birch, silver maple, sycamore, hackberry, sugar berry, pecan, and sweetgum. In addition, bald cypress, water tupelo, and nuttall, willow, cherrybark, overcup, swamp chestnut, and water oak are native to the swamps of the Bootheel.
The following table shows the major tree species and groups of species found in Missouri. The area and board foot volume is listed to show the relative abundance of each species.
| Major Tree Species | 1,000 acres | 1,000 bd. ft. |
|---|---|---|
| Shortleaf pine | 232.8 | 873,815 |
| Eastern redcedar | 225.0 | 203,948 |
| Redcedar-hardwood | 488.9 | 396,012 |
| Shortleaf pine-oak | 370.8 | 1,032,435 |
| Post-blackjack oak | 2,429.0 | 2,626,327 |
| Black-scarlet oak | 4,907.4 | 9,457,114 |
| White oak | 2,950.5 | 7,245,467 |
| Oak-gum-cypress | 114.2 | 362,837 |
| Elm-ash-maple | 588.9 | 1,965,045 |
| Cottonwood | 29.3 | 280,658 |
| Maple-beech | 993.4 | 1,333,732 |
| Nonstocked | 40.6 | 1,062 |
| Total | 13,370.8 | 25,778,452 |
Modern Silviculture
Silviculture is the art and science of creating the kind of forest that best meets the goals of the landowner. It is the study of the technical details of growing a forest. Three main silvicultural practices can be identified during the life of a forest - reforestation or regeneration of a stand of trees, intermediate treatments, and harvest.
A clearcut area in Mark Twain National Forest
shows the regenerative power of healthy trees.
Regeneration of a stand of trees is relatively easy in Missouri compared to other regions of the country. After a harvest, most of the tree species found here readily sprout from the stump or regenerate from small seedlings already growing under the parent trees. If a species is present in the stand before harvesting, it will appear i the same relative abundance in the succeeding stand. However, the method of harvesting will have some influence on the mix of shade tolerant and intolerant species found in the next stand.
The Conservation Reserve Program and other government incentive programs have encouraged more landowners to reforest open land for erosion control, wildlife habitat, and future timber supply. These lands are reforested by planting seedlings or by sowing the seed directly on the bare ground. Foresters help landowners by advising on the right species to plant and proper care after planting. The George O. White State Forest Nursery annually grows 10 million seedlings for planting on state and private land.
The most common intermediate treatment is timber stand improvement (TSI). Timber stand improvement is the forester's equivalent to weeding the garden. TSI thins the stand by weeding out defective trees and undesirable species and properly spaces the remaining trees. Nature accomplishes the same process through competition and natural mortality, but it takes much longer to complete and the wood growth may not be on the mot desirable trees. By thinning on a regular basis, the landowner keeps the trees healthy and growing, and wood growth is concentrated on the most valuable trees. Wile conducting TSI, foresters choose den trees and snags to leave for wildlife.
Everyone supports tree planting, but when it comes time to cut a tree, many people become disillusioned with the practice of forestry. Some groups oppose any timber harvesting with the mistaken belief that harvesting is detrimental to the forest. However, the ability to cut trees is essential to renew the forest and maintain healthy wildlife populations. Management may sacrifice individual trees, but the forest as a whole is perpetuated and maintained in a healthy condition.
The way trees are harvested influences the character of the new forest that replaces them. Foresters use several harvesting techniques to renew the forest (See Table 5):
- Seed tree,
- shelterwood,
- and clear-cut harvests,
result in an even-aged forest. These types of harvests work best for tree species that need full sunlight to grow and wildlife species that prefer young forests. Selection and group selection harvests create an uneven-aged forest. These cutting practices maintain a continuous forest cover and benefit the wildlife species that prefer this condition. The development of shade tolerant trees like sugar maple, elm, and dogwood is encouraged through uneven-aged management.
Important Missouri tree species, such as oak and pine, are shade intolerant and require full sunlight to grow. To regenerate these species, openings are created by harvesting. In these openings, an explosion of plant growth occurs. The lush growth is the next generation of trees and provides crucial food and cover for many birds and animals.
Once the new stand of trees is regenerated, individual trees may be harvested through intermediate cuts during the lifetime of the stand. Intermediate cuts can improve tree composition, create specific wildlife habitat, and help produce the kind of forest conditions desired.
Wildlife Management
White-tailed deer and other wildlife benefit from forest-edge habitat.
Because forest ecosystems are very complex, good forest management and good wildlife management are closely linked. Foresters and wildlife managers are charged by government mandates to provide for all wildlife resources on public forest land.
Each bird or animal has a specific place and role - or "niche " - within the forest ecosystem. Although some overlap occurs, these niches are unique and allow many wildlife species to occupy different parts of the same forest. The more niches that can be created within a forest, the greater the number of species it can support.
nature creates a variety of niches on an irregular basis - some by means that are not considered socially or biologically acceptable, such as fire. In the past, natural events such as wind storms, tornadoes, or fires created different habitats in Missouri forests on a variable and often vary large scale. The natural occurrence of fire or wind disturbance is unpredictable and uncontrollable.
The management of public forest land imitates these natural disturbances, but on a much smaller scale and under closely controlled circumstances. Regulated harvesting provides the different niches but without the "feast or famine" of unpredictable natural disturbances. The aim is for a balance of habitat types to support all species over the long term. Good forest management can provide for animal communities and still allow the use of the timber that would have been lost through natural events.
Forest Protection
Forest fires have had a major impact on Missouri's forests. Burning the woods was a deep-rooted traction in the Ozarks. It took many years of education to reduce the annual spring burning. Even now, some areas of the state still experience problems with fires deliberately set by arsonists.
Missouri's foresters assist in managing both public and private forest land.
Each year about 4,000 wildfires burn over 40,000 acres of Missouri's forest and grassland. Humans cause most of the fir in Missouri: 50 percent start from escaped debris and trash fires and 31 percent are started by arsonists. These fires cause millions of dollars worth of damage to forests, wildlife habitat, watersheds, and property.
Missouri's major fire seasons are spiring and fall. At these times of the year, high winds and low humidity can quickly cause a small trash fire to escape control. The Department of Conservation and Forest Service rely on lookout towers, airplane petrol, and telephone reports to locate wildfires. Rural fire departments help these agencies suppress forest and grass fires in many parts of the state.
A key to reducing fire numbers is preventing them from starting tin the first place. Smokey Bear, the national symbol of fire prevention, has been a very successful campaign for fire safety. Smokey makes hundreds of appearances every year to talk to school children about fire prevention. Fire prevention posters and other materials are also distributed at fairs, schools, and by fire departments.
Although fire destroys a great deal of timber each year, losses to insects and diseases are even greater. Native tree species have some natural resistance to native insect and disease pests. However, introduced pests have taken their toll on our forests.
| Source | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Debris Burning | 50% |
| Arson | 31% |
| Smoking | 4% |
| Equipment | 3% |
| Railroads | 3% |
| Campfires | 1% |
| Children | 1% |
| Lightening | 1% |
| Miscellaneous | 6% |
The chestnut blight has all but eliminated the American chestnut of the eastern forests and the Ozark chinkapin here in Missouri. Dutch elm disease has had the same impact on the elms in our cities and forests. Gypsy moth, a serious threat to oak-hickory forests in the eastern states, is moving west and south towards Missouri.
The effect of livestock grazing on forest health is an immediate concern. Grazing often causes more damage than fire. The short-term effect is the browsing and trampling of the seedlings. Over the long term, livestock hooves compact the soil, increase erosion, and damage the roots. This causes insect and disease problems, overall decline of the trees, and a loss of value when the tree is harvested.
Another serious threat to our forests is oak decline. This complex problem was first noticed in the southeast Ozarks. Its symptoms are a progressive loss of vigor and eventual death of the tree. Scientists think an interaction of drought, old age, poor soil conditions, insect defoliation, root disease, and other insect and disease problems all team up to cause oak decline. Oak decline may affect hundreds of thousands of acres of forest land in the Ozarks. There are still many unanswered questions about oak decline, but researchers are studying ways of lessening the effects of the disease.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy where by foresters apply a variety of practices to lessen the effects of insect or disease damage while also reducing the use of pesticides. IPM practices may include changing tree species composition, introducing and encouraging natural predators, and developing resistant tree strains. Biological or chemical pesticides are used only as a last resort. Efforts are directed toward managing the pest to minimize its damage, rather than trying to eradicate it.
Urban Forestry
One of the values of urban trees - their beautiful fall display - is evident along this Springfield street.
Without trees, our cities would be a sterile landscape of concrete, steel and asphalt. Trees help soften the urban environment and make our cities better places to live.
Urban trees are valued for their beauty and environmental benefits. They filter dust and pollution from the air and return oxygen to the atmosphere. Tree-shaded streets, parking lots and homes are cooler in the summer. A few well-placed trees can reduce winter heating bills by 10 to 50 percent. Trees provide homes for animals and birds, and increase property values. And everyone enjoys the spring flowers and fall colors of the urban forest.
Unfortunately, the urban environment is hard on trees. city trees are intermingled with buildings. sidewalks, utilities, cars, parks and people. This unnatural mix makes growing conditions difficult. Urban trees are subjected to poor soils, restricted growing space, air pollution, temperature extremes, and abuse by cars and people. It's no surprise that trees survive only 3-4 years in a downtown planting pit and 25-30 years in a heavily used city park.
Urban foresters use special management and care to maintain the urban forests of our communities. Management is directed toward replanting and keeping the trees healthy in an adverse environment.
Although more people are recognizing the value of a healthy urban forest, there's still work to be done. According to a recent nation-wide inventory of trees along streets, there are four planting spaces available for every tree that is present. More maintenance programs are also needed to care for and extend the life of the trees after they are planted.
Wood Industry
Missouri was a leader in lumber production at the turn of the century when the pine forests of the Ozarks were logged. Through forest protection and management, Missouri is once again a leader in wood production. (See Table 6 below)
Railroad ties and lumber are still important products, but the wood industry has become more diversified through product development and consumer demand. Everything from pallets to Christmas trees come from Missouri's forests. Wood products include furniture and flooring lumber, oak and walnut veneer, tool handles, gunstocks, fence posts, furniture and cabinets. Missouri is a national leader in the production of charcoal, barrels, walnut nutmeats and shell products, and redcedar gift items.
Wood industries make an important contribution to Missouri's economy. For many communities, wood products are the mainstay of the local economy. Statewide, nearly 2,500 firms are involved in logging and wood products manufacturing. These businesses employ over 33,000 people and contribute $4 billion each year to Missouri's economy.
| Product | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sawlogs | 509,331,000 board feet |
| Veneer logs | 4,728,000 board feet |
| cooperage | 12,029,000 board feet. |
| Pulpwood | 28,493 cords |
| Charcoal | 39,150 cords |
| Posts | 1,982,000 posts |
| Misc. Products | 1,036,000 cubic feet |
Research
Research has been, and will continue to be, the basis for scientific decisions about the management of forest ecosystems. The University of Missouri, the North Central Forest Experiment Station of the U.S. Forest Service, and the Missouri Department of Conservation conduct forest research in Missouri.
Past research studies have investigated ways to improve the productivity of Missouri's forests. some topic that have been studied include oak regeneration, black walnut culture, oak decline, agroforestry (growing trees along with agricultural crops), and forest wildlife.
Research in the future will focus on plant and animal community ecology and ways to maintain productive forest ecosystems. The Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project was started in 1990. This is a long-term research project involving the Department of Conservation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the University of Missouri. The project will judge the effects of even-aged management, uneven-aged management, and no-harvest management on various parts of the forest ecosystem. Birds of the forest interior, woody plant growth, water quality, biodiversity, and public perceptions of forest management will all be studied during this project.
| Management Method | Timber Considerations | Wildlife Considerations |
|---|---|---|
Clearcut Seed Tree Shelterwood |
Preferred method to establish shade intolerant tree species such as oak, hickory, and pine. Adequate advanced regeneration or desirable seed trees must be present. Trees in the new stand are all about the same age and size. Clearcut and seed tree methods minimize logging damage to any remaining trees. Timber sale income is received in a relatively short time. Visual effects of clearcut and seed tree are generally not as pleasing. Stands are easily identified and management work is less complex and costly. Usually the most cost-effective method of managing large tracts. |
Regeneration cuts mixed with stands of different ages and sizes creates a diverse habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. Regenerates mast-producing trees important as food to many birds and animals. Encourages a lush growth of vegetation preferred by many species of wildlife. Fruiting trees, den trees, and snags can be selected to leave for wildlife |
Uneven-aged management Single tree selection Group selection |
Single tree selection tends to encourage the development of shade tolerant tree species such as sugar maple, elm, and dogwood. Creates forests with three or more different sizes and ages of trees. Provides regular income from timber sales. Maintains continuous forest cover at all times. Management work is more complex and costs are greater. Visual effects are generally more pleasing. There is greater logging damage to the remaining trees. Usually the preferred methods for managing small tracts. |
On small tracts, a mix of shade tolerant and intolerant trees and shrubs can be created within the same stand. Provides habitat for birds and animals preferring continuous forest cover. Understory, mid-story, and overstory vegetation are all present in one stand. Can select fruiting trees ,den trees, and snags to leave for wildlife. Supplies food and cover for a wide variety of wildlife species. |
