Winter 2024 25 products. Consumer demands from the “IKEA generation” mean that more kitchen cabinets are paint-grade instead of solid, stained wood, and fewer hardwood floors are installed in favor of laminate flooring in new home construction. Still, we need to apply the basics and be real foresters practicing real forestry. As a student at Virginia Tech, I was taught that the first priority was to ask the landowner their objective for the forest. Next, educate the landowner on the science behind basic forest management. Evaluate the landowner’s forest. Present the landowner with their forest management options. Finally, help landowners to formulate a forest management plan that meets their objectives and is practical to be implemented given the constraints of their land. The process generally follows the basic scientific method that we were taught in eighth grade science class. Somewhere along the line, another management priority, one that seemed to have a loblolly-pine-focused mentality, dominated this process. In short: meet the landowner and present the idea of clearcutting and prepare for loblolly pine plantations. There was little need for a scientific approach and no creativity. If you were in the mountains, the approach was slightly different: diameter-limit-harvest the valuable trees over 18-inches in diameter, a “high grade” mentality. “Real foresters practicing real forestry” are focused on the landowner’s objectives first and foremost. What does the landowner wish to accomplish? From that objective, foresters evaluate the present conditions of the forest. What is the age, cover type, soils, site index, available contractors to perform management activities, and available timber markets. Next, they will present a list of options to a landowner that will help them accomplish their goals and obtain the desired condition of their forest in the future. Finally, a forester can assist the landowner in making a management decision that is scientifically sound, economically feasible, and meets their objective for the future condition of the forest. As one who works within this forest profession, I have come to understand that not every tract will be clear-cut to be reforested with loblolly pine. Not every tract is suitable for intensive hardwood management either. Not every decision will be perfect. They made mistakes at The Biltmore Forest School, and we will too. We can stay true to the process though, as we strive to be real foresters practicing real forestry and adapt to all the changing dynamics that happen within the forest makeup and landowner demographic. Matt Dowdy is a consulting forester and member of VFA’s Magazine Editorial Committee. He is a regular contributor to Tailgate Talk, a column designed to share stories and experiences from within the forestry community. If you are interested in sharing a story, send your submission to vfa@vaforestry.org. Opinions expressed in the column are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the policies or position of Virginia Forestry Association.
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