Stumped Spring 2011
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Do landowners have to cut trees for commercial purposes to be certified by the American Tree Farm System?
A:: Family forest owners have their woodlands for a wide variety of reasons. Reasons might include using the property for hunting, hiking or other types of recreation. Some Tree Farmers live on their land, some have the land as an investment, and the list goes on. The American Tree Farm System is based on four mainstays of responsible forest management: wood, water, wildlife, and recreation. The program addresses these categories in an integrated way through the Standards. Sustainable forest management must take into account all facets of woodland, especially the landowner’s goals. Many landowners will not list timber harvesting as a primary objective and this does not exclude them from participation in the American Tree Farm System
As a forester, every inspector knows that forests need management to fight pests, generate income for more good management, and generally keep the woodland healthy. As the landscape of family forest owners changes with each generation, the reasons for owning forests change as well. Today woodland owners generally do not name timber management as a primary objective for owning their property. ATFS continues to educate landowners on the importance of responsible harvesting, strong wood product markets, and maintaining healthy forests because although some landowners will not list timber management as a primary objective, they will eventually harvest in some fashion.
The AFF Standards require that management plans “address…wood and fiber production” (AFF 2010 – 2015 Standards, Indicator 1.1.2, 2nd paragraph). Management plans can address wood and fiber production in a variety of ways. For example, if the landowner is not interested in timber management as a primary objective, the plan could state that fact adding that if there is a harvest, the landowner will work with a qualified natural resource professional to ensure all laws and guidelines are followed and the harvest meets their objectives for the property.
Q:Who defines a high conservation value forest?
A:The term is similar to special sites under the AFF Standards. These areas can be defined by the landowners or credible outside organizations through an informal assessment.
Q:What are the requirements for determining the presence of high conservation value forests (HCVF)?
A: All Tree Farmers are required to address HCVFs in their management plan. This can be a statement of the research done to determine if there are any or a description of the area if there is an HCVF on the property. In some states, foresters are required to check natural heritage databases or statewide assessments while writing a management plan. The results of this research should be documented in the management plan.
Q:What resources are available to research high conservation value forests?
A: The ATFS Certification Committee has determined that similar resources used to verify the existence of special sites can be used to verify high conservation value forests. These resources include the State Natural Heritage databases (or similar databases), state wildlife action plans, etc. The process to identify these areas is similar to the process used for identifying special sites as well. High conservation value forests are areas that need to be sustained for their unique values not a single attribute.
