scholarly journals Northern Hardwood Silviculture: Preferences among Family Forest Owners in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander C Helman
Keyword(s):  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Upper Peninsula ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Upper Peninsula Of Michigan

scholarly journals Preferences for Northern Hardwood Silviculture among Family Forest Owners in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander C Helman ◽  
Matthew C Kelly ◽  
Mark D Rouleau ◽  
Yvette L Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Upper Peninsula ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Single Tree Selection

Abstract Managing northern hardwood forests using high-frequency, low-intensity regimes, such as single-tree selection, favors shade-tolerant species and can reduce tree species diversity. Management decisions among family forest owners (FFO) can collectively affect species and structural diversity within northern hardwood forests at regional scales. We surveyed FFOs in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan to understand likely future use of three silvicultural treatments—single-tree selection, shelterwood, and clearcut. Our results indicate that FFOs were most likely to implement single-tree selection and least likely to implement clearcut within the next 10 years. According to logistic regression, prior use of a treatment and perceived financial benefits significantly increased the odds for likely use for all three treatments. Having received professional forestry assistance increased likely use of single-tree selection but decreased likely use of shelterwood. We discuss these results within the context of species diversity among northern hardwood forests throughout the region.

Family Forest Owners' Perceptions on Chemical Methods for Invasive Species Control

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew B. Howle ◽  
Thomas J. Straka ◽  
Mathew C. Nespeca
Keyword(s):  
Unexpected Result ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Chinese Privet ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Invasive Species Control ◽  
Multiple Treatments ◽  
Herbicide Use

AbstractFocus group methodology in a field demonstration setting was used to obtain qualitative data on the perceptions of family forest owners relating to treatment efficiency and feasibility of herbicide control methods. Interviews took place on sites where various strategic herbicide treatments were implemented for Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) control using the active ingredients glyphosate and metsulfuron. Forest owners expressed unease about the possibility for post-treatment privet reestablishment due to reseeding or other factors and opinions surfaced calling for selective chemicals or application methods that would spare non-target species. Furthermore, treatment cost effectiveness with regard to timber value, the possible need for expensive multiple treatments, cost-share incentives, and treatment guarantees from herbicide applicators were participant concerns. Environmental concerns surfaced about possible effects of both herbicide use and the invasion of privet on natural systems and an unexpected result was a strong feeling among the forest owners that focus groups are a powerful demonstration tool.

Methods for Increasing Cooperation Rates for Surveys of Family Forest Owners

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett J. Butler ◽  
Jaketon H. Hewes ◽  
Mary L. Tyrrell ◽  
Sarah M. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Family Forest

scholarly journals Using attitutudes and motivations to segment the landowner audience: a typology of family forest owners in the Missouri Ozarks and description of management and information behaviors

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
K. Julie Richter
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Mail Questionnaire ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Audience Segmentation ◽  
Family Identity ◽  
Information Behaviors ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Management Behaviors

With 74% of Missouri's forestland controlled by family forest owners, understanding this ownership group is important to ensuring the sustainable management of the state's forests. Audience segmentation techniques can help us to understand the diversity of this growing population, and to design effective communication strategies. Cluster analysis was used to construct an attitudinal typology of family forest owners in Missouri based upon responses to a mail questionnaire. Two attitudinal types of family forest owners were identified: legacy owners, for whom the land is an important part of one's personal and family identity, and detached owners, for whom it is not. Attitudinal type was related to management behaviors, with the legacy-oriented owners being more active forest managers than owners with less interest in family legacy. Legacy owners used more sources of information to learn about their land, and were more influenced by other people when making decisions about their woodland.

scholarly journals Financial Effects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Nonindustrial Private Forest Landowners: A Comparative Study for 10 Southern States of the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 584-597
Author(s):  
Srijana Baral ◽  
Yanshu Li ◽  
Bin Mei
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Median Income ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Landowners ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Southern States ◽  
Income Family ◽  
Jobs Act

Abstract Changes in tax codes applicable to timberland investments can affect tax treatment of timber revenues and expenses. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is regarded as the most expansive overhaul of tax codes in the United States since 1986; however, our understanding of its effects on timberland investments for family forest owners has yet to be explored. Using the discounted cash-flow method, we estimated and compared effects of TCJA on land expectation value (LEV) and net tax from managing timberland for two classifications of median-income family forest owners in 10 southern states. Results showed a decrease in LEV and net tax for both material participants and investors, with a greater effect on landowners managing timberland as investments. Thus, owning timberland can become less beneficial under the current law for median-income family forest landowners. Study Implications: Family forests occupy a large portion of the total forest area in the United States and provide various goods and services to society. Taxes and tax policies are regarded as important issues for these landowners because policies could ultimately influence timberland investment, ownership structure, and management activities. After the 2017 tax reform, landowners became concerned about the effect of the new act on profitability and financial return from timberland investment. Here, we attempt to provide a better understanding of tax effects by estimating change in net benefit of owning and managing timberland under the current law compared with the previous law in 10 southern states. For policymakers, this study can provide insight into the importance of considering unique characteristics of timberland investment during the tax policy design and evaluation process. For landowners, this study can facilitate the timberland investment decisionmaking process and serve as a guide to the effects of the new tax rules on returns.

scholarly journals Forest Ownership Patterns in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 118 (5) ◽  
pp. 466-473
Author(s):  
Robert Zupko
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Woody Biomass ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Timber Production ◽  
Upper Peninsula ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Forest Ownership ◽  
Family Forests ◽  
Upper Peninsula Of Michigan

Abstract Abstract In heavily forested rural areas, tax-incentivization programs are commonly employed to encourage timber production and harvesting activities. Because of growing interest in developing woody-biomass-based biofuels in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA, we analyzed property records to determine who the regional actors are along with what role tax-incentivization programs may play. We found that a minority of entities collectively control 77 percent of the land in the region; however, family forest owners collectively own 23 percent of the land. Although tax-incentive programs are commonly used by commercial forests, the requirements of the primary program in Michigan program appear to preclude most family forests in the region. Accordingly, this study suggests that a greater understanding of reluctance of family forests to enroll in secondary programs is needed, or a lowering of forestland requirements to permit more family forests to enroll. Study Implications In heavily forested rural areas, the development of local forest resources has been suggested as a means of developing the local economy. One means of using the forest resources is through the development of woody-biomass-based biofuel or bioenergy programs. As these programs are dependent upon harvesting to supply the relevant feedstocks, tax-incentivization programs, such as Michigan’s Commercial Forest Land (CFL), may be used to encourage commercial timber production and overcome resistance to harvesting by nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners. These findings suggest such programs are likely to be well to fully subscribed by commercial forests. However, the implementation of these programs (ex., minimum of 40 ac. of forestland) may preclude a significant number of family forests from being able to enroll, which may be a contributing factor to low subscription rates. As a result, policymakers wishing to encourage enrollment by family forests in tax-incentivization programs should consider the practical realities of regional family ownership (i.e., average forestland acreage) in developing the programs.

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