Work now underway to remove high risk, damaged, diseased and slow growing trees on 327 acres at Devil’s Lake State Park exemplifies the benefits of forest management for wildlife, recreation and the economy.
Paul Kloppenburg, Sauk County forester with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said the timber sale involves removal of competing trees in some areas so that the next generation of trees can thrive. Sustainable forestry management often requires cutting trees in a given stand to encourage a healthier and more vigorous forest in the future.
“The purpose of the harvest is to maintain a healthy and productive forest by reducing crowding,” Kloppenburg said. “In identifying the trees to be cut, priority was given to retaining large, healthy oak and hickory trees to provide a seed source for wildlife and future seedlings. These trees also will provide den and nesting opportunities for wildlife.”
High risk, low vigor, poorly formed and declining trees will be harvested to allow oak, maple and other hardwood seedlings and saplings in the understory to flourish.
The 327 acre timber sale has been established by DNR forestry staff in an area bounded by Solum Lane, Tower Road and State Highway 113. The Devil’s Lake State Park property covers close to 10,000 acres, many of them forested.
From the Wisconsin DNR: https://dnr.wi.gov/news/Weekly/Article/?id=3781