April 10, 2023
This series of articles aims to help you make better-informed decisions regarding the management of your pond for fish and wildlife value. In the previous article, we discussed the zones of a watershed and the associated plant communities. We established that a healthy pond is a product of healthy plant communities in each of the […]
March 27, 2023
The forests of South Carolina – like those throughout the United States – certainly have their share of pests. While most of these pests are native and typically only impact stressed or injured trees, several non-native species are present and established in South Carolina. And of those non-native species, a few are true invasives, capable […]
March 27, 2023
In Extension, we often get calls about why someone’s food plot is not growing as expected. While there can be a host of reasons why this is the case, the first thing one should examine is the soil pH and soil fertility. If the soil pH is not at the correct level, nutrients can be bound […]
October 14, 2022
Our series’ first, second, and third articles covered tractor selection, ground contact implements, and property maintenance (see links at the bottom of the article). The fourth part will cover two primary vegetative management implements that the forest landowner should consider adding to their arsenal. The first implement for consideration is a rotary cutter, commonly referred […]
October 13, 2022
Stumpage Price Trends: In the Third quarter of 2022 (Q3’22), statewide pulpwood stumpage prices for pine and hardwood declined after a steady increase in the previous two quarters. On average, the statewide pine pulpwood stumpage prices were $11.40/ton, a decline of 19% on a quarter-over-quarter basis but an increase of 12% on a year-over-year basis. […]
October 12, 2022
Forest management practices are recommended for various reasons to meet landowner management objectives, including generating income, improving habitat for wildlife species, and, most importantly, maintaining a healthy, productive forest. Properly timed thinnings in natural and planted pine stands will provide all these benefits. Thinnings are “intermediate cuttings that are aimed primarily at controlling the growth […]
October 10, 2022
Problematic plants and cost-share An expanse of mature or well-developed forestland in the southeast contains plant species deemed undesirable by landowners. Plants may be suppressing 1. forest regeneration, 2. preferred wildlife habitat, 3. aesthetics, or 4. simply hindering overall enjoyment of the area. These plants may be non-native, invasive species such as tree of heaven […]
October 10, 2022
It is no secret that water attracts and holds life. This is true for many species of flora and fauna. Humans are no exception. Globally, roughly 40% of the human population lives within 60 miles of the coast (United Nations Ocean Conference, 2017). We are instinctively drawn to water, both man and beast. South Carolina […]
June 9, 2022
Ponds are a unique addition to any landscape and offer many benefits to the pond owner. These ponds are typically intended to provide one or more common goals: visual amenities, fishing, swimming, and wildlife or bird watching. While a pond can frequently support more than one goal, maintenance may differ depending on use. Like other […]
June 9, 2022
Stumpage Price Trends: In the first quarter of 2022 (Q1’22), statewide pulpwood stumpage prices for both pine and hardwood continued an increasing trend that started in the second quarter of 2021 (Q2’21). The statewide pine pulpwood stumpage prices, on average, were $14.17/ton, which is a jump of 31% on a quarter-over-quarter basis and 34% on a […]
