Districts were directed to manage soil erosion programs as well as planning and installing conservation programs, often using local volunteer citizens to implement those practices. The Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD) located in seacoast NH has been working on conservation programs for our forests that now include invasive plant control, using a variety of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
Forest health and proper forestry management are important conservation practices that have been going on in New Hampshire for centuries. Back in 1976, girdling was (and still is) an effective way to remove/eliminate a particular tree species in order to improve forest health (see photo of black oak being girdled).
RCCD often works with foresters in implementing individual forest management plans for forests in our county. Some important conservation practices include girdling, and another practice includes invasive plant control. One Integrated Pest Management (IPM) method to complete targeted invasive plant control on larger tree species in a forest is known as a cut-stump technique. This involves using a mechanical device, including a chain-saw or in some cases loppers to cut the invasive tree species, and then dab the remaining stump of the invasive tree with a low-impact herbicide mixed with an oil-based product (often canola oil). Using permitted low-impact herbicides on these stumps will eventually kill the roots of the tree, and no tree-resprouts should be expected (see photo highlighting practice from 2020). This has proven to be a very effective and targeted conservation practice.
The RCCD continues to this day to advocate for the preservation and restoration of our natural systems, particularly those invaded forestry systems owned by conservation entities and municipalities that are located in our County. The District continues to work with private landowners, municipalities and state agencies to protect and restore forestry and habitat resources in Rockingham County.
August 27 – Forest Management, Rockingham