Management Considerations

Upland sites where stands of timber are comprised of a mixture of pine and hardwood tend to be managed differently than pure pine stands. Several different types of hardwood trees (oak, cherry, hickory, sweetgum, beech) can be found intermixed with pine. The age classes of the trees may be the same or vary, depending on when previous cuttings took place and what was harvested. These stands can provide good habitat for black bears and still meet the landowner’s objectives. 

The biggest challenge in maintaining a mixed pine-hardwood site is managing the lower story of trees. The hardwood component of the stand is often made up of primarily shade tolerant trees that will respond to sunlight once the overstory is removed. However, pine seedlings that are released from the older, mature trees will usually grow faster than the hardwoods and will be the dominant species for several years. Since acorns and other hard mast provide bears with an important source of food in the fall, forest management activities should favor oaks or other hard mast species as the stand develops.

Regeneration/Management

The removal of the overstory, and the timing of this operation, will determine which species of trees will become dominant as time passes. Harvesting of trees should result in openings large enough that soft mast will be produced and utilized by bears. Normally, groups of trees or “patches” of the overstory are removed, which produce the openings that are needed for soft mast food species (e.g., dewberry, pokeberry, blackberry, French mulberry) to have sufficient sunlight to grow. After a few years, these openings will become impenetrable thickets with many hardwood sprouts and pine seedlings growing vigorously. Although availability of natural foods declines over time as openings mature, bears will utilize those sites as denning areas because of the thick cover provided. Also, rotting logs, stumps, and logging slash from the harvest operation will provide good sources of grubs, insects and beetles.

Special Considerations

If large openings are made at the time of harvest, the landowner should consider leaving some groups of large trees scattered across the tract for females with cubs to use as a means of escape. Also, trees with cavities should be maintained for den sites.