climateforestsandwoodlands – Climate, Forests and Woodlands

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019

Drought Risk and Tree Planting

Shelterwood planting

The PINEMAP team produced a helpful publication on whether To Plant or Not to Plant, which includes a checklist of eight items for consideration before planting tree seedlings. The Fact Sheet, produced by the Texas Forest Service and Texas Agrilife Extension Service, refers to Texas, but the process for timber stand drought risk assessment is broadly applicable and not time-limited. Important considerations before planting include working with a qualified professional, assessing the site quality and soil moisture, …

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019

Do forest fires encourage the spread of invasive plants?

A number of invasive plants thrive in forested and grassland areas disturbed by fire, floods, erosion, wind, insects, or diseases, so increases in disturbed areas associated with climate variability and altered land-use could assist in the spread of this group of invasive plants. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), one of the most invasive species in the western shrublands and woodlands of the U.S., has been common on severely burned areas. Recent studies suggest that increased wildfire activity in the western …