Released Aug. 16, 2007
MANHATTAN, Kan. - U.S. woodlands with family or individual owners will undergo widespread ownership changes in the near future, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
The reasons? The owners´ average age and reported land-use plans.
"For foresters, the concern now is what will happen to those trees under new ownership. Tree stands have a big impact on our nation´s air quality, water quality, wildlife and recreation. They also supply an array of wood-related industries," said Bob Atchison of the Kansas Forest Service.
In the most recent National Woodland Owner Survey, the major reason owners cited for having woodlands in the first place is that the acreage is simply a part of a farm or homestead. Other reasons were to provide a legacy for their family, protect the environment, and to enjoy the outdoors.
"In Kansas, at least, about half of them have also harvested and sold trees," Atchison said. "But, 97 percent have never developed a woodlands business or resource management plan. Almost 90 percent have never sought any professional advice - even though the Kansas Forest Service provides that for free. Almost three-fourths also had no plans to plant trees or improve tree-stand health in the next five years.
"Will the next generation of owners do better than that? Or worse?"
At latest count, 11 million private U.S. landowners control 56 percent of the nation´s forests in the adjoining United States. The National Forest Service and state park systems oversee most of the rest.
"Kansas Wildlife and Parks oversees about 31,000 acres, some wooded," Atchison said. "But, 95 percent of our 2.1 million acres of forest belong to about 103,000 families, individuals, trusts and estates."
Many of those Kansans mistakenly assume that a forest can take care of itself, he said.
"It´s all too easy, however, for the quality of a forest to go downhill," Atchison said. "An unmanaged forest is an open door for fire, invasive plants, undesirable trees, plant pests and tree damage. That means lower quality water supplies, wildlife habitat, timber and recreation, as well as less quality scenery."
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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/briefs.htm#Two
Contact: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu
