Commentary

Abstract

The Lloyd and Barbara Michael Certified Family Forest is a 347 acre (140 hectare) property in central East Texas. This tract represents a typical medium-sized, nonindustrial private landowner timberland tract in East Texas. This diverse property is well suited to multiple-use management providing for commercial timber production, wildlife habitat, hunting and recreational activities, livestock grazing, bountiful clean water sources, aesthetics, and other interests. The property includes a variety of forest cover types from undisturbed natural areas to intensively managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations. The landowners’ active hands-on approach, coupled with retaining the services of an independent professional consulting forester to assist in the planning and implementation of the various management activities, has resulted in significant improvements to many facets of this property. This case study examines the application of sound forest management practices as they pertain to nonindustrial private landowners in the southeast United States.