Established Stand Management Early Management Considerations. After regeneration, the site should be evaluated for survival, animal damage, frost heaving, insects, or other problems. If an immediate failure is noted, replanting the same year may be practical. At the end of the first growing season, stocking, survival, and competition control should be assessed. Your county extension agent or county forester can help make recommendations regarding the adequacy of the stand and advise management practices to enhance growth and survival.
Vigorous stands are the best defense against drought.
Foresters can advise on the proper number of trees per acre, the biological maturity of the stand, and the need for treatments such as prescribed burning, fertilization, thinning, and weed control. Research and experience have shown that forest landowners who seek professional forestry assistance and follow a sound forest management program realize more net profit and incur less loss. Stressed stands are prime targets for insect and disease pests. For example, southern pine stands often sustain major mortality caused by one or more species of inner-bark boring insects. Research has found that overstocked, mature, or overmature stands are most susceptible.