Proposed Management Plans for Successional Plots

See map of proposed old-field plots

What will happen in the successional plots can be predicted only approximately. Thus, management plans should be periodically modified to take into account accumulated experience. However, at all times the goal should be to provide a series of stages that show at one time what happens over decades to an abandoned tilled field. How long to make the maximum rotation (set at 40 years at present) should depend on how long it takes for succession to reach the stage where loblolly pines are dominant but not reproducing because of the shading of a vigorous hardwood understory. Plots with the maximum rotation should probably be cleared and tilled for two years to simulate farming prior to allowing succession to start again. (Thus a 40-year rotation would mean 38 years of succession.)

The fact that much of the successional area has been overlaid with clay but some has not should result in easily noticed differences in succession among and within plots. Detailed soil mapping is needed to help interpret these effects.

One or two stands of loblolly pines that are presently in the successional area should be preserved until other stands develop. Increment borings should be made to determine how long it has taken these pines to reach their current size.

The several (10 to 20?) mature longleaf pines in the western successional plots should not be cut but be left as seed trees for the adjacent restored upland pine.

Plot A (10 yr)

Start in 2002, 2012, 2022, etc.

Prior to 2002, this plot should be cleared except for longleaf pines. A patch of ca. 40-year-old loblolly pines near the F3 grid stake could be left while other stands develop.

Plot B (1 yr)

Till every year that no other plot is tilled.

Prior to 2003, plots with 10- and 40-year rotations that have not been started on their regular rotation could be tilled instead of, or in addition to, Plot B. A small stand of ca. 40-year-old loblolly pines between G3 and G4 could be left until other stands develop.

Plot C (40 yr)

Start in 2000, 2040, 2080, etc. Prior to 2000, the plot should the cleared except for longleaf pines.

Plot D (10 yr)

Tilled in early 1997 except for the eastern third, which was not in D at the time. Till that part before the end of 1997. Till again in 2007, 2017, 2027, etc.

Plot E (40 yr)

This plot has a small stand of 20- to 30-year old loblolly pines that can help depict mid/late stages of old field succession until plot C is 20 years old. Start in 2020, 2060, etc.