North Carolina woodland owners typically hold their land for a variety of reasons, including family legacy, recreation, aesthetics, wildlife, and investment. However, most of these owners—over 59%—have less than 10 acres of woodlands. Their primary motivation for maintaining and nurturing these smaller woodlots is often non-economic. Many of these owners don't identify as "forest owners" or are simply unaware of the support and assistance available from state and federal agencies and forestry programs. If you own a small woodlot, this publication can help. It provides valuable information on managing and caring for your land, along with resources for further assistance.

Woodlot management is driven by your objectives as the landowner. These objectives are essentially what you hope to achieve with your woodlot. This could include things like improving wildlife habitat, reducing wildfire risk, enhancing recreation and aesthetics, or even generating some income.

Deciding on your goals as a woodland owner can be a challenge. To get started, ask yourself the following questions:

• How did you acquire the property?
• Why do you own it?
• What do you enjoy most about the property?
• What do you want to accomplish with it?

Answering these questions, even if they seem tough, will help you begin developing a long-term roadmap for managing your woodlot. Planning is an ongoing process that guides you toward your ultimate goals for the property. A good plan should include clear goals and objectives, a map of your property, a description of its natural resources, and prescribed management activities.

To develop a comprehensive management plan, it's highly recommended to seek assistance from natural resource professionals. The following organizations can provide valuable information and support for management planning:

• NC Forest Service: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/managing-your-forest/woodland-plan
• Association of Consulting Foresters: https://www.acf-foresters.org
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission: https://www.ncwildlife.gov/wildlife-habitat/private-lands-management
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
• NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation: http://www.ncagr.gov/SWC/

Regardless of your property's size or your management goals, numerous threats can compromise the health of your woodland. Nonnative invasive plants and insect pests pose a significant risk to our native plants and trees, directly impacting the wildlife that our forests support. Furthermore, diseases can decimate entire tree species, while wildfires threaten both structures and the forests themselves.

Below, you'll find essential information on how to protect, prevent, or eradicate these threats and safeguard the health of your woodland.

Invasive plants

Invasive plants present a significant challenge in woodlot management. These aggressive species outcompete and suppress our native vegetation, hindering its natural regeneration. Over time, woodland owners who neglect to manage and control invasive plants often find their woodlands become less diverse and, in many cases, unsustainable.

For more detailed information on invasive plants and their management, consult the following resources:

• NC Invasive Plant Council: http://nc-ipc.weebly.com
• NC Forest Service: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/forest-health/invasive-plants
• NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Plant Protection Section: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/plant-industry/plant-protection
• NC State University Extension Integrated Pest Management: http://ipm.ces.ncsu.edu
• NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic: https://pdic.ces.ncsu.edu/

Insects and pest

Implementing sound woodlot management practices can significantly minimize the risk of damage from the pests and pathogens that threaten woodlands. At a minimum, woodlot owners shouldperiodically inspect their property for any signs of damage caused by these threats.

For more information or to seek assistance related to insects and diseases, consider the following resources:

• NC Forest Service: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/forest-health
• NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic: https://pdic.ces.ncsu.edu/
• NC State Extension Forestry: https://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry-health/

Wildfire

Many small woodlot owners might not immediately consider the risk of wildfire to their property. However, as more people choose to live among trees and near your land, the potential for wildfire loss and destruction significantly increases. As a woodland owner, you should periodically assess the wildfire risk to your property.

Situations that warrant particular attention include:

• Dense vegetation
• Continuous "ladder-like" vegetation, such as vines and small trees, which can allow fires to climb easily
• Hazardous buildup of vegetative fuel for a fire
• Lack of firebreaks throughout the property

Managing your woodlot to reduce wildfire risk can feel overwhelming, especially if you're an inexperienced landowner. It's crucial to seek assistance, so consider the following resources:

• NC Forest Service: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/fire-control-and-prevention
• NC Prescribed Fire Council: http://www.ncprescribedfirecouncil.org/
• NC State Extension Forestry: http://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/prescribed-fire/

As a woodland owner, you have a unique opportunity to manage your land to benefit wildlife. However, simply having trees doesn't automatically mean you'll have a thriving wildlife population. Wildlife have fundamental requirements for survival and reproduction.

These basic requirements include:

• Food and water for nourishment
• Shelter (cover) from adverse weather and predators
• Space to acquire food and water, and to attract a mate

As a woodland owner you can impact and manipulate these basic needs through forest management activities. Management activities that benefit one species though may be detrimental to another species or a particular species may require multiple types of habitats to live successfully.

Habitat types

Understanding different habitat types is crucial for effective wildlife management:

• Early Successional Habitat: This habitat is characterized by a dominance of grasses, shrubs, and forbs. You can create it along field borders or by opening the forest through tree harvesting.
• Mid-Successional Habitat: Providing more shade than early successional habitat, this type often requires intervention. Activities like thinning, prescribed fire, or other methods that reduce dense vegetation can open up the woodlot floor, promoting ground cover more suitable for a variety of wildlife.
• Late Successional Habitat: Dominated by mature forest, this habitat features large den trees, trees that produce mast (seeds), and downed logs. These elements provide vital resources for insects, salamanders, and other often-overlooked wildlife species.

The amount and type of habitat, availability of food and water, human activity, and the presence of other wildlife species all influence the types of wildlife that can thrive on your land. For a diverse range of species, including songbirds, rabbits, and squirrels, or larger wildlife like deer and turkey, consider managing for a diversity of habitats.

To learn more about wildlife survival needs (food, water, shelter, and space) and how to manage your woodlot to support wildlife, contact the following agencies:

• NC Wildlife Resources Commission: https://www.ncwildlife.gov/wildlife-habitat/private-lands-management
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

Woodland management impacts your property's recreational potential and visual appeal. Proper planning can significantly enhance both. To improve your woodlot's beauty and diversity,

consider:

• Creating Openings and Clearings: These add diversity, provide wildlife habitat, and highlight vistas. Techniques include brush hogging, mowing, disking, and herbicide control.
• Managing Forest Edges: Natural edges are soft transitions with indentations, not straight lines. When removing trees or installing trails/firebreaks, create these natural curves.
• Cultivating a Park-like Setting: Prescribed burning increases flowering plants, improves access by reducing dense undergrowth, enhances wildlife habitat, and maintains open space. If burning isn't feasible (e.g., in urban areas), consider alternatives. Always consult a professional, like a prescribed burning contractor, before any burns (https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/managing-your-forest#WhoCanHelp-11818).

For more on managing for recreation and aesthetics, contact:

• NC Forest Stewardship Program: http://ncforestservice.gov/fsandfl/are_you_stewardship_material.htm
• NC State Extension Forestry: http://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/recreation-and-aesthetics/
• NC Wildlife Resource Commission: https://www.ncwildlife.gov/wildlife-habitat/private-lands-management
• NC Parks: https://trails.nc.gov

As a woodland owner, you inherently accept varying degrees of liability for anyone visiting your property, whether invited guests or trespassers. Invited guests receive the most legal protection, placing a greater liability on the landowner. This includes friends, family, and even individuals you permit to cut firewood without charge. Even without monetary payment, you benefit from reduced harvest debris, dead tree removal, and improved timber growth. Any direct compensation, cash or other tangible benefit, provides the user with the greatest legal protection.

Fortunately, woodland owners can take several proactive steps to minimize liability from others using their property. These steps include:

• The purchase of liability insurance
• Marking boundaries and posting them properly
• Warning users of potential dangers that exist on the property
• Removing attractive nuisances
• Legal, written agreement with users

For information on landownership and liability read Land Ownership, Liability and the Law in North Carolina, http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/20099.pdf.

North Carolina Regulations that govern landownership and liability can be found online.

• Landowner liability (§ 38A-1-4): https://www.ncleg.gov/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_38a.html
• Posting of property (§ 14-159.7): https://www.ncleg.gov/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_14/gs_14-159.7.html
• Trespassing upon "Posted" Property to Hunt, Fish, Trap, or Remove Pine Needles/Straw (§ 14-159.6): https://www.ncleg.gov/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_14/gs_14-159.6.html

As a woodland owner, you are subject to rules, regulations, and laws that impact the management activities you conduct on your property. Much of the current legislation stems from past management practices that led to environmental and community degradation. Today, most federal and state laws primarily focus on endangered species, water quality, and air quality. As a woodland owner, you might already be familiar with the following legislation:

• Endangered Species Act
• Clean Water Act
• Clean Air Act
• Coastal Zone Management Act

However, local land use regulations, enforced by county and municipal jurisdictions, can also significantly impact woodland management activities. Woodland owners who violate zoning or other land use regulations may face substantial fines, legal costs, restoration expenses, and other penalties. To avoid these consequences, landowners must be aware of which land use regulations apply to their property.

Common ordinances that regulate land use include:

• Zoning
• Landscaping
• Water supply watershed protection
• Sediment and erosion control
• Floodplain and floodway

Many of these ordinances often include exemptions for woodland management activities when specific requirements are met.

Zoning is the most common form of local land use regulation. It typically includes landscaping requirements or other provisions designed to protect community trees and vegetation, and to separate or shield different land uses on adjoining properties. The specific zoning and land use regulations applicable to your woodlands will be determined by the county or municipal planning jurisdiction where your land is located.

For more information and assistance with woodlot management and local regulations, please consult the following resources:

• NC State Extension Forestry: https://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry-urban-and-community-forestry/
• UNC School of Government: http://www.sog.unc.edu/

Advice from a natural resource management professional will significantly enhance your experience in reaching your woodland management goals. The following organizations are excellent sources of information and resources. Consider exploring their websites or reaching out to them for further information and advice:

• NC State Extension Forestry: provides educational programs, materials and publications. http://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/
• NC Forest Service: provides planning, advice, assistance and cost share. https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission: provides wildlife planning advice. https://www.ncwildlife.gov
• Natural Resources Conservation Service: provides on-site planning, advice, assistance and cost share. http://www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/
• NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation: provides programs, trainings, and technical services and assistance. https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/soil-water-conservation
• NC Board of Registration for Foresters: provides information on professional forester in North Carolina. http://www.ncbrf.org
• Association of Consulting Foresters: provides a source for finding private foresters who provide planning, advice and assistance. http://www.acf-foresters.org

The original publication's work was supported by an Urban and Community Forestry grant provided by NC Forest Service, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, with revisions supported by the Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA), project award no. 7009029], from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.