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are clearly defined on the ground, particularly when an even aged stand developed naturally on an old agricultural field or when a uniform site was planted to a stand of loblolly pine. In other cases, where topography and soils are more variable and the impact of human activity less intense, species composition changes gradually and stand boundaries are less easily defined. For the purposes of this plan, stand boundaries were determined by slope, soils, species composition, access, and tree ages, and were mapped using 2010 aerial photographs and the Orange County GIS system parcels layer. Timber on This Property: Much of the property is very well suited for timber production. The soil types and conditions on the majority of the upland sites lend themselves to production of pine and mixed hardwoods depending on slope position and aspect. The more concave sites and creek bottoms will be most productive growing stands of bottomland hardwoods and species that can tolerate a high water table. Much of the property was heavily cutover in the late 1990's. Following this timber harvest, a site prep burn was conducted to remove logging slash and facilitate artificial regeneration of loblolly pines, which were planted around 1999. The pines have performed well on the higher and drier sites, but competition from less desirable species is inhibiting growth in many of the wetter areas. Some older trees on the property include those left around the old homesite, a narrow and patchy buffer along the riparian areas, and residual timber where quality was somewhat poorer. A few small areas of older pines remain along the northern boundary of the property. For this property, timber management will be focused primarily on the upland sites with rotation lengths between 30 and 60 years. The emphasis in these areas will be on restoring mixed species stands, cultivating the current timber crop to ensure success of desirable species, and maintaining high growth rates. These upland areas represent the greatest potential for income generation on the property and this income can be used to drive sustainable management on the entire property. Some timber harvesting, during management activities in the upland stands, may be recommended in the other areas to achieve the other objectives for the property. Fish and Wildlife Fish and other aquatic species depend on healthy water quality and quantity. Forest management decisions have a direct impact on both of these. Proactive and positive things landowners can do include establishing streamside management zones (SMZs), preventing or mitigating sources of sedimentation, and leaving un -mown areas around ponds. Landowners that have water bodies present on their property may contact various natural resource professionals to obtain technical assistance on improvement, aquatic maintenance, and fish stocking. Visit the following website for information on pond management and fishing opportunities: ham: / /www.ces.ncsu.edu /nreos /wild /fisheries /mgl_ide /chapterl .html Forestry activities and how they relate to water quality are discussed at: http:// ncforestservice.�zov /waterquality/water quality.htm G 156