The timber industry provides jobs, landscapes and refuge to Nassau County residents. Over the course of the next few weeks, the Record explores the protective services, historical aspects, landowner assistance and recreational opportunities available through the Florida Forest Service.
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Sometimes it’s difficult for landowners to see the forest for the trees. That’s why Florida Forest Service Senior Forester Dave Holley assists non-industrial private landowners with forest management practices.
“Forest management is something that a lot of people don’t think about,” he said. “We drive past these trees every day, but those trees belong to somebody. If they manage it, it will produce for them.”
Ralph and Betty Jo Higginbotham lease approximately 2,000 acres to Broomsage Quail Plantation LLC. The hunt club is located along River Road and provides quail, turkey, hogs and deer. The couple met with Holley recently to review their new forest management plan.
“I listen to the landowners’ objectives, then make recommendations based on what they want to do,” Holley said.
Ralph Higginbotham contacted Holley for assistance in applying for a cost-share program. Although the forestry plan Holley prepared is free, the couple plans to submit an application to participate in the cost-share program for management practices that may include prescribed burns, initial pulpwood thinning, establishing seedlings or mechanically treating underbrush.
“Forestry cost share programs administered by the FFS provide incentive payments for timber thinning or reimburse between 25 to 7 percent of the costs to conduct forestry practices like planting, burning or mowing. Practice acres are limited, and the cap is $10,000,” Holley said. “Most forestry plans recommend planting 500 to 700 trees per acre to maximize productivity. The estimated cost to prepare the ground and plant is $350 an acre, but a few landowners may do some of it themselves to save money.”
The Higginbothams appreciate Holley’s guidance. “He serves a purpose for me and lining up these programs and filling out state papers,” Ralph Higginbotham said. “Government papers have a lot of things in them I don’t understand. The financial part is not so tremendous, but every little bit helps.”
“It helps us,” Betty Jo Higgin-botham said. “We’re increasing our equity in the property with what we’re doing.”
The land lease helps the couple pay property taxes. The hunt club is open Oct. 1 through March 31.
“It’s fun and it gives us something to do,” she said. “We really enjoy the people.”
As part of the plan, foresters check pine stands for signs of Southern Pine Beetle infestation. They may perform prescribed burns to help clear out underbrush in designated areas.
The burns reduce foliage that grows around the base of trees. This assists plant species and wildlife by reducing fire risks. These fires mimic what may occur naturally through lightning strikes, providing ecosystems for animals, plants and trees that are fire-dependent to survive, according to information from the FFS.
Timber thinning and herbicides also aid forest management.
The Higginbothams’ management plan includes mowing various areas to reduce wildfire risks. The senior forester said that he assists dozens of clients per year.
“I help a lot of people that are first-time landowners,” Holley said. “I give them a jump-start and point them in the right direction.”
Bruce Douglas met with Holley recently to receive recommendations for the 55-acre Callahan property he co-owns with mother Joy Shepperd.
The rural property is filled with pine trees, brush and flowering plants.
“We’ve planted between 400 and 600 long leaf pine trees and we’ve got honey bees to help with pollination,” Douglas said. “We plan to expand to have up to 100 hives within the next three to five years.”
He enjoys the rustic nature in western Nassau, so he does very little pruning.
“We want to keep it as natural as possible,” Douglas said.
Landowners may opt to harvest timber to gain additional income. Market prices for pine and pine pulpwood are available from timber vendors and Holley or other FFS employees can provide those.
Timber thinning is another practice that may be included with a forest management plan, according to Holley.
“Usually the upland pine plantations need to be thinned around ages 15 or 20 (years),” Holley said. “Maybe they need to be thinned again (or clear cut) about 10 years later. In another 10 or 15 years, they’ve maybe slowed down in growth enough that it is more advisable to clear cut and replant. Usually the natural hardwood and pine in the swamps are left to continue growing.
Sometimes around ages 40 or 60 they will thin them pretty heavy and let them naturally regenerate. Sometimes people never cut them.”