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55 <br /> amphibians. This area, if left as is, could be used an as excellent educational opportunity <br /> for students to learn about the life cycle of certain species (like amphibians) and the <br /> impomtanee.of conserving water and protecting water quality. <br /> M-;!ua ement Area 3 <br /> Area Description <br /> Management Area 3; +/- 5.7 acres, is an upland hardwood stand with scattered mixed <br /> pine throughout that is around 65 years of age. The stand is dominated by white oak, <br /> with pignut hickory, northern red oak,post oak, sweetgum, and loblolly pine throughout, <br /> Evidence of old skid trails and cedar stumps suggest that this area was logged 65 years <br /> ago and regenerated naturally on its own. Presently, the trees are 10-1 li inches in <br /> diameter(at breast height) and are 70-75 feet tall. Stand quality is good with some <br /> mortality throughout and hypoxylon canker present on snags. The midstory and <br /> understory are fairly open and consist of red maple, black cherry, flowering dogwood, <br /> eastern red cedar, scattered blackgum, poverty grass, greenbrier, and low bush blueberry. <br /> The soils in this area are well drained with gentle slopes (3-8%). <br /> Management Area 3 Recommendations <br /> The trees in this area are growing well and should continue to do so. 1 recornmend that <br /> you maintain this area as a mature hardwood forest, as this area is aesthetically pleasing <br /> and is used for school programs and student recreation. <br /> The trees are healthy but some hazard trees should be removed from the area to prevent <br /> student injury. Wildlife habitat can be improved by a practice called crop tree release. <br /> This kind of work can be accomplished with a chainsaw by selecting a few crop trees per <br /> acre (a mix of red and white oaks) and removing the competing hardwoods on at least 3 <br /> sides (4 is preferred). Be sure to protect the other mast producing trees in the area, <br /> including blackgum, black cherry, and flowering dogwood. Any snags left; should be <br /> positioned away from walking trails. Maintain walking trails with mulch where possible. <br /> M Lnagelineat Area 4 <br /> Area Description <br /> Management Area 4; +/- 3.6 acres, is mixed upland pine forest that is around 32 years of <br /> age. This area was hit hard by IPS beetles many years ago leaving a large hole in the <br /> canopy with several smaller holes throughout of dead and downed pine trees. Most of the <br /> damage was done to the east of the power line right of way. The overstory trees that are <br /> left standing are 7-16 inches in diameter(at breast height) and are 60-65 feet tall. The <br /> 7 <br />