In Maumelle, Equilibrium conducted a project to thin understory plants on a seven acre track of forested lands. The goal of the project was: To progressively manage the acreage in a manner that meets numerous objectives and to provide desirable land use opportunities that involve minimal long-term maintenance requirements.
The following objectives were identified to attain this goal.
Develop documentation that provides guidelines and direction to achieve the goal.
Reduce potential fire hazards by thinning the forest prior to upcoming drought seasons.
Improve forest differentiation by removing the abundant suppressed vegetation.
Reduce potential impacts from natural threats such as wind, ice and diseases.
Eliminate less desirable species and promote the growth of native vegetation.
The property is composd primarily of a hickory/oak forest with a mix of pines. The terrain is steep, with an estimated 150 feet difference in elevation. The property is on a south facing slope, which potentially influences plant communities. Typical forest management practices, such as prescribed fire and commercialized thinning are not appropriate due to the urban setting, nearby houses and the terrain.
Equilibrium, thinned most all vegetation less than 4 inches in diameter at breast height. A determination of the vegetation that was to remain was identified prior to work. Vegetation was cut by hand and as close to the ground as possible. To help insure that re-sprout did not occur, herbicide should was applied to the stump of each cut plant.
Once the vegetation was cut, it was necessary to remove it from the property. Because of the terrain, densities of desirable vegetation, and limitations of a staging area; this requirement created some sort of a challenge. We used a crew of 30 people to help remove the vegetation once it was fallen. The cut vegetation was piled in the forest, picked up with a skid steer and transported out of the forest to a staging area, where a "panel truck" and hauled it away from the site.
Please check back to see photos.
