Skip to content

Clemson Experimental Forest

Forest Management Plan

Purpose

To explain forest management strategies for the Clemson Experimental Forest. The Forest Management Plan aligns with the Clemson Forest Strategic Plan and is accompanied by a Recreation Management Plan. The Forest Management Plan gives rise to an annual Harvest Plan, subject to changing market and environmental conditions.

Authors:

Wayne Phillips, Forest Manager, RF

Dr. Donald Hagan, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation

Travis Schmitt, Assistant Forest Manager, RF

Trevor Stamey, RF

Dr. Rob Baldwin, Executive Director, Lloyd Chair of Conservation Ecology

The Clemson Experimental Forest (Forest) is a complex landscape of forests, fields, developed farms, riparian and other habitats totaling 19,200 acres adjacent to campus, with an additional large parcel near Route 11. The Forest is accessible to students, faculty, and the public for research, teaching, and recreation. It is owned by Clemson University, subject to agreements with State and Federal agencies, with a mandate to protect and promote it in perpetuity as an educational, environmental, scientific and social asset.

The Forest is divided into four zones – with emphases on conservation/restoration (Zone 1), recreation (Zone 2), sustainable timber production (Zone 3), and long-term campus planning (Zone 4). Zones contain multiple stand types, with considerable variability in species composition, site characteristics, and management history. While management priorities vary by zone and stand type, all zones are to be managed within an adaptive framework that prioritizes diversity and resilience, incorporating monitoring and the best available science.

In zones 1-3, appropriate ecological classification systems – based on soil types, landform characteristics and indicator species – will inform silvicultural activities and management outcomes at the stand-level. Experimental management actions, appropriately replicated and tightly integrated with active research, are encouraged in these zones. Standard forestry best management practices (BMPs) will be followed in all four zones, with additional considerations for harvest adjacency and the protection of sensitive species and habitats, as appropriate.

Descriptions of zone management strategies below:

Zone 1 Management Strategy

Pine Plantation, Natural Pine and Pine-Hardwood stand types

Across Zone 1 the priority will be to maintain and restore natural pattern and process for biodiversity conservation and long-term ecological research. There will be areas of Zone 1 that receive no hands-on management. Where management is required to restore biodiversity, at the stand-level, these stands are actively managed to create and sustain an uneven-aged stand structure of site-appropriate species. Across the zone, the management goal is to maximize heterogeneity of age class structure and species composition, and to enhance resilience. Harvesting activities can include thinning and selection harvests to produce and perpetuate uneven-aged stands along with conversion to appropriate hardwood and/or other pine stand types. Conversion to shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) will be prioritized, where feasible – either in pure, uneven-aged stands, or with a minor hardwood component, as dictated by site conditions. Canopy gaps will be created to facilitate the establishment of a diverse native herbaceous community, provide a contiguous fine fuelbed for prescribed fires, and to promote the regeneration of desirable native overstory species. Snags will be retained, where feasible, to provide wildlife habitat. Silvicultural activities can include prescribed burns, removal of non-native invasive species, and where applicable passive management of natural disturbances like beavers, windthrow, wildfire and disease. The use of large-scale broadcast herbicide treatments will be limited to minimize impact to native herbaceous plant communities. Planting of site-appropriate hardwoods or pines can be employed to encourage a more diverse and native stand composition. Management activities will prioritize protecting and enhancing populations of species of conservation concern – both flora and fauna – in areas where they occur. Within these stand types, we aim to increase the total area in native early seral plant communities – with some areas managed this way in perpetuity and others, such as sites undergoing conversion, more ephemerally.

Upland Hardwood, Bottomland Hardwood and Cove Hardwood stand types

Across Zone 1 the priority will be to maintain and restore natural pattern and process for biodiversity conservation and long-term ecological research. There will be areas of Zone 1 that receive no hands-on management. Where management is required to restore biodiversity, at the stand-level, these stands are actively managed to create and sustain an uneven-aged stand structure of site-appropriate species. Across the zone, the management goal is to maximize heterogeneity of species composition, and to enhance resilience. Stands classified as having xeric or intermediate moisture regimes will be managed for an appropriate mix of oak (Quercus spp.), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), and hickory (Carya spp.) species, with basal area targets of approximately 30%, 30% and 10% for each, respectively. The remainder should be comprised of a diverse mix of other species, including sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), red maple (Acer rubrum), and others, depending upon site characteristics. Stands classified as mesic or hydric will be managed for mesophytic hardwoods (e.g. Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Fagus), with a minor oak component (e.g. northern red oak [Quercus rubra] or white oak [Quercus alba]), as appropriate. Management activities can include thinning and selection harvests to promote and perpetuate residual native hardwood species, create and maintain an open woodland condition, encourage regeneration, and facilitate the establishment of a diverse native herbaceous community. In mesic and bottomland sites, selection harvests will be limited to single tree or small group selection to minimize impacts and to simulate natural gap-phase dynamics. Additional activities can include prescribed burns, removal of non-native invasive species and targeted herbicide applications, and where applicable, passive management of natural disturbances like beavers, windthrow, wildfire, and disease. Planting of site-appropriate native hardwood species can be employed to encourage a more native composition of the stand. Snags will be retained, where feasible, to provide wildlife habitat. Management activities will focus on protecting and enhancing populations of species of conservation concern – both flora and fauna – in areas where they occur. Special consideration is given to restricted operation on steep ground and other sensitive areas, implementing large streamside buffers and protecting areas such as floodplains, relict glades, woodland/prairie remnants, and isolated wetlands.

Recreation

Existing recreational activities are evaluated to ensure they do not conflict with ecological goals. Favored recreational activities utilize minimal impact practices. Future expansion of recreation activities is tightly controlled and evaluated to prevent detrimental impacts to ecosystems. Emphasis will be placed on educational interpretation of management activities, explaining stewardship and restoration goals of Zone 1.

Zone 2 Management Strategy

Pine Plantation and Natural Pine stand types

At the stand level, these stands are primarily managed for even-aged pine plantations of pine (Pinus taeda), and uneven-aged stands that also include shortleaf (P. echinata), Virginia pine (P. virginiana) and other Pinus species. Across the zone, management activities aim to maximize heterogeneity of age class structure, and to enhance resilience. Management priorities involve practicing forestry to maximize sustainable yield. These activities can include first and second thinning based on basal area and merchantability to optimize stand growth and yield. Final harvest is scheduled at the optimal economic rotation age. Silvicultural activities can include prescribed burning, targeted herbicide application, pre-commercial thinning, removal of non-native invasive species and reforestation – taking into consideration site productivity, stand density, health, and market conditions. Regardless of market conditions, a proactive approach to thinning, harvesting, and other overstory management activities will be employed to mitigate the impacts of periodic southern pine beetle outbreaks. Native early seral plant communities created by silvicultural or natural disturbances will be managed as a “shifting mosaic”, with a goal of maximizing early seral land cover across the zone. Along with following standard forestry best management practices to protect water quality, management activities will also prioritize minimizing impacts on species of conservation concern. Plantation stands with lower site indices may be taken out of production and managed for ecological objectives (e.g. conversion to uneven-aged shortleaf pine or pine-hardwood stands), similar to stands in zone 1, or as mixed shortleaf pine-oak stands that test or demonstrate the applicability of site-appropriate species to achieve production goals.

Pine-Hardwood stand types

At the stand level, these stands are managed to promote the appropriate ecosystem based on site conditions. Across the zone, management activities aim to maximize heterogeneity of age class structure and species composition, and to enhance resilience. Site composition and size distributions are assessed to determine the stand's trajectory. Stands with a higher pine component are managed to sustain pine dominance, whereas those with a higher hardwood component follow oak-hickory-focused management strategies, retaining shortleaf pines where present. Uneven-aged management techniques, such as small patch clearcuts, shelterwood and seed tree harvests can be used to promote stand diversity, create an open woodland condition, and to facilitate the establishment of a diverse native herbaceous community. Additional activities can include prescribed burns, removal of non-native invasive species, targeted herbicide applications, and the planting of site-appropriate hardwoods or pines. Along with following standard forestry best management practices to protect water quality, management activities will also prioritize minimizing impacts on species of conservation concern – both flora and fauna – in areas where they are present. Stands with lower productivity may be taken out of production and managed for ecological objectives, similar to stands in zone 1.

Upland Hardwood stand types

At the stand-level, these stands are managed for uneven-aged hardwood. Across the zone, management activities aim to maximize heterogeneity of age class structure and species composition, and to enhance resilience. Stands will be managed for an appropriate mix of oak (Quercus spp.), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata),and hickory (Carya spp.) species, similar to upland hardwood stands in zone 1. Harvest activity can include techniques such as single tree and small group selection systems to facilitate gap-phase regeneration, as well as shelterwood, seed tree or patch clear cuts to promote stand development, maintain proper density and facilitate the establishment of a diverse native herbaceous community. Recognizing that overstory manipulation alone may not promote the regeneration of desirable hardwoods, additional activities can include prescribed burns, removal of invasive species, targeted herbicide applications, and planting of site-appropriate species (e.g. post oak [Quercus stellata] in xeric sites, white oak [Quercus alba]) in more mesic sites. Along with following standard forestry best management practices to protect water quality, management activities will also prioritize minimizing impacts on species of conservation concern – both flora and fauna – in areas where they occur. Stands with lower productivity may be taken out of production and managed for ecological objectives (e.g. as oak-pine woodlands), similar to stands in zone 1.

 

Bottomland Hardwood and Cove Hardwood types

At the stand-level, these stands are managed for uneven-aged hardwoods. Across the zone, the management goal is to maximize heterogeneity of age class structure and species composition, and to enhance resilience. Stands will be managed primarily for mesophytic hardwoods (e.g. Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Fagus), with a minor oak component (e.g. northern red oak [Quercus rubra] or white oak [Quercus alba]), as appropriate. Harvest activity can include regeneration focused techniques such as single tree or small group selection harvests to promote facilitate gap-phase regeneration and maximize age-class diversity. Silvicultural activities can include prescribed burns, the removal of non-native invasive species, targeted herbicide applications, and planting of hardwood species.  Where applicable, heterogeneity will be enhanced by passive management of natural disturbances like beavers, windthrow, wildfire, and disease.  Snags will be retained, where feasible, to provide wildlife habitat. Management activities will focus on minimizing impacts on populations of species of conservation concern – both flora and fauna – in areas where they occur. Special consideration is given to restricted operation on steep ground, implementing large streamside buffers and protecting sensitive areas such as floodplains, relict glades, woodland/prairie remnants, and isolated wetlands.  

Recreation

Existing recreational activities and infrastructure are promoted and protected from management activities. Harvest and Silvicultural activity place an emphasis on pre-planning and notifications to minimize conflict with recreational activities and protect infrastructure.  Collaboration and communication with user groups is utilized to limit where possible, disruption and enhance the user experience.  Active improvement and expansion strategies are welcomed and evaluated. Emphasis will be placed on educational interpretation of management activities, explaining silvicultural goals of Zone 2.

Zone 3 Management Strategy

Pine Plantation and Natural Pine stand types

At the stand-level, these stands are managed for even-aged pine plantations, principally loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Across the zone, the management goal is to maximize heterogeneity of age class structure, and to enhance resilience. Harvesting activities can include first and second thinning based on basal area and merchantability to optimize stand growth and yield. Final harvest is scheduled at the optimal economic rotation age. Silvicultural activities can include burning, targeted herbicide application, removal of invasive species, pre-commercial thinning and reforestation taking into consideration site productivity, stand density, and market conditions. Regardless of market conditions, a proactive approach to thinning, harvesting, and other overstory management activities will be employed to mitigate the impacts of periodic southern pine beetle outbreaks. Along with following standard forestry best management practices to protect water quality, management activities will also prioritize minimizing impacts on species of conservation concern – both flora and fauna – in areas where they occur. Stands with lower productivity and/or operability may be converted mixed shortleaf pine-oak systems, or upland mixed-hardwood systems, as appropriate.

Pine-Hardwood stand types

At the stand level, these stands are managed to promote the appropriate ecosystem based on site conditions. Across the zone, management activities aim to maximize heterogeneity of age class structure and species composition, and to enhance resilience. Site composition and size distributions are assessed to determine the stand's trajectory. Stands with a higher pine component are managed to sustain pine dominance, whereas those with a higher hardwood component follow oak-hickory-focused management strategies, retaining shortleaf pines where present. Uneven-aged management techniques, such as small patch clearcuts, shelterwood and seed tree harvests can be used to promote stand diversity, create an open woodland condition, and to facilitate the establishment of a diverse native herbaceous community. Additional activities can include prescribed burns, removal of non-native invasive species, targeted herbicide applications, and the planting of site-appropriate hardwoods or pines. Along with following standard forestry best management practices to protect water quality, management activities will also prioritize minimizing impacts on species of conservation concern – both flora and fauna – in areas where they are present. Stands with lower productivity may be taken out of production and managed for ecological objectives, similar to stands in zone 1.

Upland Hardwood stand types

At the stand-level, these stands are managed for uneven-aged hardwood. Across the zone, management activities aim to maximize heterogeneity of age class structure and species composition, and to enhance resilience. Stands will be managed for an appropriate mix of oak (Quercus spp.), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata),and hickory (Carya spp.) species, similar to upland hardwood stands in zone 1. Harvest activity can include techniques such as single tree and small group selection systems to facilitate gap-phase regeneration, as well as shelterwood, seed tree or patch clear cuts to promote stand development, maintain proper density and facilitate the establishment of a diverse native herbaceous community. Recognizing that overstory manipulation alone may not promote the regeneration of desirable hardwoods, additional activities can include prescribed burns, removal of invasive species, targeted herbicide applications, and planting of site-appropriate species (e.g. post oak [Quercus stellata] in xeric sites, white oak [Quercus alba]) in more mesic sites. Along with following standard forestry best management practices to protect water quality, management activities will also prioritize minimizing impacts on species of conservation concern – both flora and fauna – in areas where they occur. Stands with lower productivity may be taken out of production and managed for ecological objectives (e.g. as oak-pine woodlands), similar to stands in zone 1.

Bottomland Hardwood and Cove Hardwood types

At the stand-level, these stands are managed for uneven-aged hardwoods. Across the zone, the management goal is to maximize heterogeneity of age class structure and species composition, and to enhance resilience. Stands will be managed primarily for mesophytic hardwoods (e.g. Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Fagus), with a minor oak component (e.g. northern red oak [Quercus rubra] or white oak [Quercus alba]), as appropriate. Harvest activity can include regeneration focused techniques such as single tree or small group selection harvests to promote facilitate gap-phase regeneration and maximize age-class diversity. Silvicultural activities can include prescribed burns, the removal of non-native invasive species, targeted herbicide applications, and planting of hardwood species. Where applicable, heterogeneity will be enhanced by passive management of natural disturbances like beavers, windthrow, wildfire, and disease. Snags will be retained, where feasible, to provide wildlife habitat. Management activities will focus on minimizing impacts on populations of species of conservation concern – both flora and fauna – in areas where they occur. Special consideration is given to restricted operation on steep ground, implementing large streamside buffers and protecting sensitive areas such as floodplains, relict glades, woodland/prairie remnants, and isolated wetlands.

Recreation

Harvest and Silvicultural activity place an emphasis on pre-planning and notifications of upcoming forest management treatments to user groups but will not necessarily offer protection to recreational activities and infrastructure. Collaboration and communication with user groups is utilized to limit where possible, disruption and enhance the user experience. Active improvement and expansion strategies are considered and evaluated. Emphasis will be placed on educational interpretation of management activities, explaining silvicultural goals of Zone 3.

Zone 4 Management Strategy

All Stand Types

Basic maintenance is conducted to ensure forest health and safety. Harvesting is opportunistic and focused on value extraction while maintaining aesthetics. While silvicultural activities are discouraged due to the potential short-term existence of these stands, monitoring and proactive management will be implemented to mitigate potential forest health issues. Campus Planning is consulted to help guide management practices in these areas.

Recreation

There is limited recreational activity in this area and existing activity is managed as is. Active improvement and expansion strategies are evaluated but discouraged due to the potential short-term existence of these stands.

References

Abrams, Marc D., Gregory J. Nowacki, and Brice B. Hanberry. (2022). Oak Forests and Woodlands as Indigenous Landscapes in the Eastern United States. The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, 149(2), 101–121. https://doi.org/10.3159/TORREY-D-21-00024.1

Clabo, David C., and Wayne K. Clatterbuck. (2020). Establishment and Early Development of Even-Age Shortleaf Pine–Hardwood Mixtures Using Artificially Regenerated Shortleaf Pine and Various Site Preparation and Release Treatments. Forest Science, 66(3), 351–360. https://doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxz082

Clabo, David, and Wayne Clatterbuck. (2020). Restoration of Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)–Hardwood Mixtures in Low Quality Mixed Upland Hardwood Stands Using Cluster Planting and Natural Regeneration. Forests, 11(4), 457. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11040457

Hanberry, Brice B., Don C. Bragg, and Todd F. Hutchinson. (2018). A Reconceptualization of Open Oak and Pine Ecosystems of Eastern North America Using a Forest Structure Spectrum. Ecosphere, 9(10), e02431. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2431

Hanberry, Brice B., Robert F. Brzuszek, H. Thomas Foster II, and Timothy J. Schauwecker. (2019). Recalling Open Old Growth Forests in the Southeastern Mixed Forest Province of the United States. Écoscience, 26(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/11956860.2018.1499282

Kabrick, John M., Daniel C. Dey, Carter O. Kinkead, Benjamin O. Knapp, Michael Leahy, Matthew G. Olson, Michael C. Stambaugh, and Aaron P. Stevenson. (2014). Silvicultural Considerations for Managing Fire-Dependent Oak Woodland Ecosystems. In: Groninger, J. W., Holzmueller, E. J., Nielsen, C. K., & Dey, D. C. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 19th Central Hardwood Forest Conference (pp. 2–15). USDA Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/47153

A Tennessee Landowner and Practitioner Guide for Establishment and Management of Shortleaf and Other Pines. (2023). University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/2023/10/PB1751.pdf