Soil Conservation (stabilization) and Erosion Control
Trees only grow as well as the soil they are growing in. Woodland soils play a key roll in forest health, productivity and wildlife habitat. Prior to and while managing a woodlot, Granite State Forestry Services pays close attention to soil stabilization and how it could be affected or is reacting to the logging equipment. In most cases the movement of the equipment on the forest floor is beneficial in that it essentially rototills and exposes the mineral soil which makes it much easier for seed that was released from the trees, to germinate. This is called Scarification. On every property that we manage, we follow (BMP’s) Best Management Practices for Forestry which is a guide put out by New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands. On hilly terrain and in areas with ledge we are proactive and create small water bars to decrease overland water flow. This will greatly conserve the soil by not allowing the water to erode and remove the nutrient rich top layer of soil. In riparian zones some of our clients like to have a buffer strip left around the edge of streams, wetlands and other special natural features. The vegetation in these areas helps to control air, soil, and water quality and is very important for wildlife habitat.
As the saying goes “your roots are where you come from” and without good soil quality, the roots will not create a strong and healthy tree. Mother nature does a good job of having different species of trees seed in.
