Habitat Restoration for the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

Prescribed burning during January, February, and March produces fires with a lower temperature than do summer fires. These fires do less damage to hardwoods making it easier to save the desired oaks and dogwoods. Some stands of loblolly pine will also be cut, the process being contracted out to local logging companies. The loblolly pine stands will be replaced by long-leaf pines. The loblolly pines, red maples and sweet gums have commercial value so nothing will be wasted in the restoration efforts.

Long-leaf pines give the impression of growing much slower than the loblolly species in the first three years. Long-leaf pines put down a large tap root during its early years, leaving less resources for early growth, but enhancing its viability during fire or drought. The loblolly has appeared to be more valuable to the logging industry because of it dramatic growth during its early years. In the end, some believe that the long-leaf pine "catches up" and has equal commercial value, as well as, value as habitat for native species.

Since the red-cockaded woodpecker prefers mature stands of long-leaf pines, it will be several decades before there is substantial increase in its habitat. However, the Forest Service staff at the Kisatchie National Forest is making the appropriate first steps to helping save this endangered species.

More Information

• E-mail Lynn Jackson or call her at (318) 628-4664

• Books from Amazon, A Stillness in the Pines: The Ecology of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker and The Red-cockaded Woodpecker: Surviving in a Fire-Maintained Ecosystem

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic