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. Drought is often the final stress factor that weakens the stand so severely that the trees cannot fend off the insect or disease attack. Forest landowners should inspect their forests frequently and move quickly to salvage or renovate stands where excessive mortality has occurred. Timber killed or weakened by insects, diseases, drought, or all three can often be sold in a salvage sale.