Colorado has roughly 22 million acres of forest, of which nearly 7 million are privately owned. We recommend that forest landowners take on the responsibility of managing their forests to reduce the potential for damages caused by wildfire, insect outbreaks, and disease infestations.

A Forest Stewardship Plan is a cost-effective way to document your forest property management plan and understand your management approach. Start by:

• Hire a consulting forester to inventory your timber and write a management plan, (OR)
• Conduct a basic self assessment of your forest and design a management plan with assistance from:
• Local CSU Extension office
• Local Colorado State Forest Service office

Top 5 Reasons to Manage the Density of Your Forested Land

1. Improve Forest Health – Well managed forests are more resistant to diseases and insect damage such as mountain pine beetle, Armillaria Root Disease, or dwarf mistletoe which are just a few of the major forest health concerns that landowners face in CO. Reduce stress in forest stands to promote natural resistance and diminish susceptibility to damage.
2. Reduce Wildfire Hazard – Thin overstocked or high density forests to allow a potential high severity crown fire to drop to the ground as a low severity fire that can be suppressed more readily with less damaging effects to soil, water, and plant resources. Create strategic “fuel breaks” or “defensible space” to protect your home and property.
3. Increase Wildlife Habitat – We can manage forests for fish and wildlife; thin overstocked or high density forests. This will allow sunlight and precipitation to reach the ground and encourage herbaceous cover, such as grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs, for birds and other wildlife to consume. Additionally, create habitat for wildlife and forage that will make your garden safe from wildlife damage.
4. Protect Water and Soil – healthy forests keep soils from eroding, and protect our water quality. The loss of vegetation caused by a wildfire will cause soils to erode and reduce the forest’s ability to retain snowpack for a more sustained runoff in the spring and summer. Eroding soils can also pollute our water supply with sediments and excess nutrients. Utilize Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) to significantly add to the beneficial stewardship of our forestlands and ensure adequate protection of our vital water resources.
5. Save Money – Plan for management activities, reduce the spread of noxious weeds, and decrease fuels available for a wildfire to consume will all help to reduce costs and inputs to your land and allow for multiple benefits. Utilize management techniques on your forest; this will far out-weigh the costs of unexpected silvicultural operations, weed suppression, fire suppression, property loss, and post-fire rehabilitation that could be caused by a wildfire.

Are you FireWise?

Photo by CAL FIRE - Click to enlarge

• Defensible Space Checklist – CSFS checklist for creating D-Space
• Colorado’s Are You Firewise? Program – CSFS homeowner education
• FireWise Communities Program – Homeowner references and tools
• Forest Home Fire Safety – Mitigate wildfire hazards around your home
• CSFS Defensible Space – Understand how to create and manage D-Space
• Living in Wildfire Hazard Areas – City of Boulder, CO guidelines

Own just a few acres of forested land?

We can help! A significant proportion of small acreage landowners possess just a few acres and maintain the property as a lifestyle choice. While the principles behind managing these small parcels are the same, the route with which management ensues can differ significantly. However, the resource concerns (weed invasions, poor tree health, poor wildlife habitat, etc.) and ability for the property condition to decline over time without proper management remains considerable.

• CSU Ext. Publications Trees and Shrubs – a variety of good references
• CMG GardenNotes, Tree Selection and Planting – several papers for CO
• CMG GardenNotes, Tree Disorders – guides to diagnose tree problems
• CMG GardenNotes, Pruning – select references on tree pruning
• Planttalk Colorado, When to Prune Trees – expert information presented
• ISA, Avoiding Tree Damage During Construction – prevent damage
• ISA, Pruning Mature Trees – shows general guidelines to pruning trees

Resources & Helpful Information

Updated Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Topics Include:

• Animals
• Composting
• Energy
• Fencing
• Gardening
• Pasture/Range
• Resources
• Soil
• Trees and Woodlands
• Water
• Weeds
• Wildlife
• Windbreaks and Living Snow Fences

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