Forest stewardship activities in Stand 33 on Sparta Mountain WMA will begin on or about November 27, 2018. Weather permitting, the work should take about two weeks to complete. All cutting will cease from Dec 3 - 8, 2018 and again before April 1, 2019.
Approximately 17 acres will be managed to accelerate the development of old growth forest characteristics through a process known as "gap-phase replacement". Through the creation of small canopy gaps and growth of younger cohorts of shade-tolerant trees, this stand will contain three or more age classes at any given time.
The majority of woods at Sparta Mountain WMA are mature or middle aged. These woods are quite valuable to many species, but so are old growth and young forests too. The objective is to maintain the mature forests, foster old growth forests, and create new young forests.
Specifically, about 25% of the existing tree density will be cut or girdled (left as a standing dead tree) with chainsaws or hatchets. No heavy machinery or chemicals will be used, and none of the cut trees will be removed or sold.
More information www.spartamountainfacts.nj.gov
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