Forest
Stewardship News Release
November
7 , 2007- For Immediate Release
Contact: Allyson
Muth, Phone: 814-865-3208, E-mail:
Forest Vegetation Management Web-Based Resource Center Now Available
Written by: David R. Jackson, 814-355-4897, drj11@psu.edu
As a forest owner or manager, you may already know that competing and invasive forest vegetation has the ability to negatively impact forest regeneration success, proper timber stand development, native plant and wildlife species diversity, and potential future timber value. Competing and invasive plants, also known as interfering plants, do this by competing for sunlight, water, nutrients, and space, taking away from more desirable plant species. Interfering plants have the ability to limit many forest management objectives.
To minimize interfering vegetation impacts you may consider implementing a vegetation management program. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), or in this case Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM), successfully manages vegetation using a systematic approach involving cultural, manual, mechanical, biological, and chemical control practices. IVM uses those methods that are most effective and economically feasible with the least impact on the environment. Control practices are used in conjunction with each other, starting with the simplest methods and moving towards more complicated interventions.
To help you manage vegetation using IVM, Penn State Natural Resources Extension created a web-based forest vegetation management resource (http://fvm.cas.psu.edu). The purpose of the site is to assist the forest landowner/manager with forest vegetation management needs. The site is a clearinghouse for forest vegetation management information, including integrated vegetation management, invasive plants, pesticide certification, service providers, herbicide contacts, and herbicide informational summaries. The Forest Vegetation Management web site consists of six parts: the main document home page on IVM; the forest vegetation management web resource center; the herbicide manufacturers, distributors, and applicators page; herbicides by application methods table; common forestry herbicide summaries; and a table of trees controlled.
The Forest Vegetation Management homepage is an informational document on IVM. You'll find the table of contents includes quick links that allow you to "click" a particular interest and move immediately to that section. Or, you can "pull up" and print the entire document in PDF format.
"The Forest Vegetation Management Web Resource Center" lists various IVM resources. This section provides important web-based vegetation management resource information in one easy to use location. Under each main topic there are links to other web-based resources. Topic areas include: Biological Control; Chemical Control/Herbicides; Integrated Vegetation Management; Interfering Plants; Invasive Plant Species; Manual/Mechanical Control; Pennsylvania Pesticide Certification; and Prescribed Fire.
"Herbicide Distributors, and Applicators" provides you with links to herbicide manufacturers, forestry herbicide distributors, and forestry herbicide applicators. This page allows you to locate forestry herbicide distributors as well as individuals or companies providing vegetation management services. This section is continuously updated to reflect current forest vegetation management service providers.
"Herbicides by Application Methods" is a set of tables arranged by method and silvicultural application, where herbicides are listed by active ingredient. The tables provide summary information compiled from herbicide manufacturer labels to guide herbicide selection based on management need. These tables do not substitute for reading the product label.
Two pages on the site are from the original Penn State publication entitled Herbicides and Forest Vegetation Management. "Common Forestry Herbicides" is a table listing herbicides commonly used in forestry. The herbicides, all registered for use in Pennsylvania, are arranged alphabetically by active ingredient. Trade name and manufacturer are also shown. By clicking the herbicide trade name you can find helpful summaries on each product.
The next page entitled "Trees Controlled Table" provides an alphabetical listing of trees, shrubs, vines, and ferns controlled by forestry herbicides registered in Pennsylvania. The table reflects plant species listed on product labels and lists specific forestry herbicides indicating plant control.
Forest vegetation management using herbicides and other integrated methods has the potential to address many forest sustainability issues facing Pennsylvania. In addition, landowners and managers are able to achieve many desired goals and objectives by implementing an integrated vegetation management plan.
The Pennsylvania Forest Stewardship Program provides publications on a variety of topics related to woodland management for private landowners. For a list of free publications, call 1-800-235-WISE (toll-free), send e-mail to , or write to: Forest Stewardship Program, Forest Resources Extension, The Pennsylvania State University, 320 Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA 16802. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and USDA Forest Service, in partnership with the Penn State's Forest Resources Extension, sponsor the Forest Stewardship Program in Pennsylvania.
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