Alabama Forest Owner's Guide
to Information Resources

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Introduction

Understanding
Information

Sources of
Publications

Woodlots/Small
Forests

Forest
Resources

Plants and
Animals

Planning the
Resource

Management for
Trees

Management for
Wildlife

Management for
Alternative Uses

Business
Information

Forest Industry

Environmental
Protection

Forestry Law

Reference
Sources

Special Methods
and Practices

Background
Information

Current
Periodicals

Programs for
Landowners

Guide and
Publication Lists

Conclusion

Alabama Trees * loblolly pine * yellow popular * Virginia pine * shortleaf pine * longleaf pine * slash pine * black oak * water oak * chestnut oak * Shumard oak * cherrybark oak * Nuttall oak * live oak * post oak * live oak * white oak * blackjack oak * southern red   oak * northern red   oak * sugar maple * silver maple * red maple * black walnut * green ash * white ash * sweetgum * southern   magnolia * black cherry * American elm * pecan * black locust * hackberry * shagbark   hickory * American beech * American   basswood * eastern   cottonwood * sycamore

Decades of research has contributed to an understanding of how to grow and manage trees. Good reads:

Balmer, William, E., and Williston, Hamlin L. Early Considerations in Pine Management. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southeastern Area. State and Private Forestry, 1975. (Forest Management Bulletin) 8 p.
Covers mechanical site preparation, water control, planting and seeding techniques, fertilization, thinning, stand improvement, insect and disease damage, and use of prescribed fire.

Beck, Donald E., and Della-Bianca, Lino. Yellow-Poplar: Characteristics and Management. Washington, D.C.: U.S.D.A. Forest Service, 1981. (Agriculture Handbook No. 583) 91 p.
Describes site requirements, regeneration, enemies such as insects and other hazards, stand management, growth, yield, and cultural practices.

Dennington, Roger W., and Farrar, Robert M., Jr. Longleaf Pine Management. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Region, 1983. (Forestry Report R8-FR 3) 17 p.
Covers planting, direct seeding, natural regeneration, tree improvement, growth and yield, insects and diseases, and fire management. Describes uses such as poles and piling, pulpwood, wildlife, and grazing.

Growing Walnut for Profit and Pleasure. Indianapolis: Fine Hardwoods/American Walnut Association, 1978. 12 p.
Provides guidance for managing existing walnut trees and establishing and caring for new plantings.

Hunt, Ron. Hardwood Management Guide. Bainbridge, Ga.: International Paper Co., Southlands Experiment Forest, 1976. (Technical Bulletin No. 9). 18 p.
Basic information on regeneration, cutting methods, site types, and plantation management.

Jones, Bob. Hardwood Trees to Plant in Alabama. Auburn, Ala.: The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, 1990. (Natural Resources Series) 2 p.
A list of hardwood timber species which may be considered when planting in Alabama. For each species, gives uses, type of soil needed, growth characteristics, and general remarks.

Langdon, O. Gordon, and Bennett, Frank A. Management of Natural Stands of Slash Pine. Asheville, N.C.: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southeastern Forest Experiment station, 1976. (Forest Service Research Paper SE - 17). 12 p.
Discusses systems for natural regeneration along with specifics on precommercial and commercial thinning. Also describes silvical characteristics and silvicultural systems, and provides data for comparing yields of planted and natural stands.

Moorhead, David J., and Coder, Kim D., eds. Southern Hardwood Management. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Region. With the Cooperative Extension Services for the Southern Region, 1994. (Management Bulletin R8-MB 67) 142 p.
Describes hardwood forest types and gives valuable information on a wide range of topics including site and stand inventory, stand improvement, silviculture, artificial regeneration, economics, logging practices, harvesting techniques, products and uses, wildlife considerations, water management, and product quality and marketing. A very good book.

Also useful is a pamphlet called Management of Hardwood Forests for Timber in Alabama, by Robert H. Jones, published in 1995 (Circular ANR-581), by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. 6 p. A leaflet called Oaks of Alabama, is produced by the Alabama Forestry Commission. (AFC-ED-07).

Putnam, John A. Management of Bottomland Hardwoods. New Orleans: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Forest Experiment Station, 1951. (Occasional Paper No. 116) 60 p.
Sections on: survey of the resource, basics of early management, utilization and management, regeneration, and stabilized management.

Putnam, John A.; Furnival, George M.; and McKnight, J. S. Management and Inventory of Southern Hardwoods. Washington, D.C.: U.S.D.A. Forest Service, 1960. (Agriculture Handbook No. 181) 102 pp.
Treats in some detail the nature and management of hardwoods. A major table shows characteristics (occurrence, growth rate, tolerance, value, and uses) of each species. Elementary management information is followed by a discussion of detailed management practices.

Shropshire, Frank W., Johnson, Robert L., and Sims, Donald H. Sweetgum Management. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Region. 1987. (Management Bulletin R8-MB 12) 12 p.
Indicates uses, site selection, regeneration, management choices for natural stands such as sawtimber and pulpwood. Gives detailed advice on establishment and management of plantations. Also describes effect of fire, insects and other harmful influences.

Wahlenberg, W. G. Loblolly Pine: Its Use, Ecology, Regeneration, Protection, Growth and Management. Durham, N.C.: The School of Forestry, Duke University, 1960. 603 p. $169.30 for a facsimile ed. from Books on Demand.
A major reference source on all aspects of loblolly pine. Also, lists several hundred articles and reports, many with a focus on small woodlands. Recent research adds to the understanding of this species.

Also useful are pamphlets called Loblolly Pine Management, by Frank A. Roth II, published in 1987 and reprinted in 1996 (Circular ANR-490) 4 p.; Natural and Artificial Regeneration of Loblolly Pine, by Bill McKee, published in 1987 (Circular ANR-408) 10 p.; and Site Stocking and Expected Yields of Loblolly Pine Plantations, by Bill McKee and David Moorhead, published in 1987 (Circular ANR-398) 8 p. by the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service.

An article called "Growing Loblolly Pine in Alabama," by Lou Hyman, is found in Alabama's TREASURE Forests, Vol. 3, No. 3 (fall 1986), p. 13-17.

Williston, Hamlin L., and Balmer, William E. Management of Virginia Pine. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southeastern Area. State and Private Forestry, 1980. (Forestry Report SA-FR 7) 6 p.
Covers site characteristics, regeneration, culture, growth and yield, plus management problems.

Williston, Hamlin L.; Balmer, William E.; and Sims, Donald H. Managing the Family Forest in the South. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Southern Region, 1993. (Management Bulletin R8-MB 1, slightly revised) 92 p.
Emphasis is on southern pines: natural regeneration and starting a new forest by planting and seeding are described. Advice is offered on wildlife habitat improvement and forest economics. Tables give data for estimating board-foot volume of timber. An excellent book.

Useful pamphlets are: Site Preparation Methods for Regenerating Southern Pines, by Frank A. Roth II, reprinted in 1996 (Circular ANR-275) 4 p., and Reforestration Contracts, by Frank A. Roth, II, published in 1988 (Circular ANR-504) 4 p., by the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service.

Williston, Hamlin L., and Balmer, William E. Shortleaf Pine Management. Atlanta: U.S. D.A. Forest Service. Southeastern Area. State and Private Forestry, 1980 (Report SA-FR6) 9 p.
A report on planting, direct seeding, natural regeneration, growth and yield of planted stands, growth and yield of second-growth stands, tree improvement, damaging problems (diseases and insects), and management opportunities for the small landowner.

Williston, Hamlin L., and Shropshire, F. W. Cypress Management: A Forgotten Opportunity. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southeastern Area. State and Private Forestry, 1980. (Forestry Report SA-FR 8) 8 p.
Information on regeneration, growth, general management, management for natural stands, and uses.

Zobel, B. J., and Davey, C. B. Simplified Guide to Hardwood Management in the Southeast. Raleigh, N.C.: School of Forest Resources, 1978. 21 p.
Indicates which land may be used for hardwoods, suitability of land for plantation or natural stands, and which species are best for a given environment. Written for nonspecialists.

Starting a Forest

Starting a forest involves seeding, planting seedlings, or natural regeneration.

Lantz, Clark W., and Kraus, John F. A Guide to Southern Pine Seed Sources. Asheville, N.C.: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, 1987. (General Technical Report SE-43) 34 p.
Information on seed sources for loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, slash, Virginia, and sand pines. Gives special advice for areas with a high rust hazard.

A Guide to the Care and Planting of Southern Pine Seedlings. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Region, 1989. (Management Bulletin R8-MB 39) 44 p.
Practical information about planting, nursery operations, storage, shipping, planting, and safety. Also gives advice for working with a tree planting contractor and describes guidelines for handling seedlings.

McGee, C. E.; Beck, D. E.; and Sims, D. H. Natural Regeneration of Upland Hardwoods in the South. Asheville, N.C.: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Forest Experiment Station, 1979. 8 p.
A brief description of how stands regenerate and cutting for natural regeneration.

A leaflet called Oak Seedling Selection and Planting, published by the Alabama Forestry Commission, describes major oak species and indicates availability of seedlings.

McWilliams, William H. Recent Trends in Afforestration and Reforestation of Nonindustrial Private Pine Forests in Alabama. New Orleans: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Forest Experiment Station, 1992. (Resource Bulletin SO-164) 12 p.
An analysis of trends in afforestation and reforestation on nonindustrial private pine forests over two decades. Mostly for policy makers.

Seedling Care and Planting Guide. Montgomery, Ala.: Alabama Forestry Commission, 1988. 8 p.
A handy pocket-size pamphlet with basic information on transportation, storage, and planting (both hand and machine) of seedlings.

Also useful is a leaflet called Storing, Handling, and Planting Southern Pine Seedlings, by Fred Holemo, published in 1981 (Circular ANR-242) by the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service.

Seedling Care and Reforestation Standards. Montgomery, Ala.: Alabama Forestry Commission, 1995. 16 p. Also an E-book
Gives practical guidance for care and handling of seedlings before planting, evaluating seedling quality, and planting seedlings. Also gives criteria used to determine if tree plantings meet minimum standards for cost-sharing programs. A directory shows locations of Alabama Forestry Commission Seedling Distribution Coolers.

Williston, H. L., and Balmer, W. E. Direct Seeding of Southern Pines -- A Regeneration Alternative. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Region, rev. 1983. (Forestry Bulletin R8-FB/M 1) 6 p.
Advice on direct seeding: advantages and disadvantages, when to use, species selection, site preparation, seed handling and treatment, and sowing methods and techniques.

Forest Soils

The growth and health of trees and other plants is greatly influenced by the type and condition of soils.

Considerations for Forest Management on Alabama Soils. Montgomery, Ala.: Alabama Forestry Planning Committee, 1993. 100 p.
Describes soil interpretations for forest land use and management. For each soil series and phase, gives management concerns such as limiting factors for forest management (slope, stoniness, wetness, etc.), erosion hazard, and seedling mortality. Lists pines, hardwoods and other species that are suitable to plant or manage and indicates productivity.

A leaflet entitled Soils of Alabama, by Charles C. Mitchell, Jr. and John C. Meetze, published in 1994, revised (Circular ANR-340) by the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service gives a brief overview of the state's soils. 2 p. Detailed soil surveys, with maps, are produced by the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service for each county in Alabama.

Williston, H. L., and LaFayette, Russell. Species Suitability and pH of Soils in Southern Forests. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southeastern Area. State and Private Forestry, 1978. (Forest Management Bulletin) 4 p.
Data show the soil pH range for southern tree species and the effect of soil pH on availability of plant nutrient elements.

Pests and Diseases

Trees are often susceptible to pests and diseases. Management practices control problems and reduce the harm and losses.

Belanger, Roger P., and Malac, Barry, F. Silviculture Can Reduce Losses from the Southern Pine Beetle. Washington, D.C.: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Combined Forest Pest Research and Development Program, 1980. (Agriculture Handbook No. 576) 17 p.
Describes types of stands that are susceptible to the southern pine beetle and recommends cultural practices, such as removal of high-hazard trees, mixing pines and hardwoods, thinning, and prescribed burning to reduce losses.

Insects and Diseases of Trees in the South. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Region, 1989. (Protection Report R8-PR 16) 98 p.
For each pest, gives information on: nature of problem(s), identifying the pest, identifying the injury, biology of the pest, and how to control. Color photos. A good book.

Important pamphlets are: How to Identify and Control Brown-Spot Disease on Longleaf Pine, by C. E. Cordell and als., published in 1989 (Protection Report R8-PR 15) 9 p.; How to Identify and Control Annosus Root Rot in the South, by Samuel A. Alexander and Robert L. Anderson, published in 1985 (Forestry Bulletin R8-FB/P 19) 5 p.; and How to Identify and Control Littleleaf Disease, by Steven W. Oak and Frank H. Tainter, published in 1988 (Protection Report R8-PR 12) 15 p. All by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Region.

Other titles: Gypsy Moth, by M. McManus and others, published in 1989, revised (Forest Insect & Disease Leaflet 162) 13 p; Southern Pine Beetle, by Robert C. Thatcher, published in 1982, revised (Forest Insect & Disease Leaflet 49) 7 p.; Ips Bark Beetles in the South, by Michael D. Connor, published in 1983, revised (Forest Insect & Disease Leaflet 129) 8 p.; Littleleaf Disease, by Paul A. Mistretta, published in 1984, revised (Forest Insect & Disease Leaflet 20) 6 p.; Pine Spittlebug: Its Ecology and Management, by Louis F. Wilson, published in 1991 (Agriculture Handbook No. 695) 18 p.; and Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar, by Louis F. Wilson, published in 1979, revised (Forest Insect & Disease Leaflet 67) 4 p. All by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service.

Pest and Pesticide Management on Southern Forests. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Southern Region, 1994. (Management Bulletin R8-MB 60) 46 p.
Covers principles of forest pest management, vegetation control using herbicides, chemical insect and disease control, and ground applications of forestry herbicides. Written as a training manual for pesticide applicators.

Solomon, J. D. and others. Oak Pests: A Guide to Major Insects, Diseases, Air Pollution, and Chemical Injury. Atlanta: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. State and Private Forestry. Southeastern Area, 1980. (General Report SA-GR11) 69 p. A good book.
For each pest, gives information on: nature of problem(s), identifying the pest, identifying the injury, biology of the pest, and how to control. Color photos.

Thatcher, R. C.; Mason, G. N.; and Hertel, G. D. Integrated Pest Management in Southern Pine Forests. Washington, D.C.: U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Cooperative State Research Service, 1986. (Agriculture Handbook No. 650) 38 p.
Identifies major pests that attack pine trees during various stages of growth and recommends management practices to reduce losses. Also describes techniques (various technologies) used to measure and predict impact of pests, determine use potential, measure and predict changes in pest populations, rate host susceptibility and suitability, and make control decisions.

Williston, Hamlin L.; Rogers, Terrence J.; and Anderson, Robert L. Forest Management Practices to Prevent Insect and Disease Damage to Southern Pine. Atlanta: U.S. D.A. Forest service, 1981. (Forestry Report SA-FR- 9) 8 p.
Advice on limiting southern pine beetle, fusiform rust, brown spot and other problems.