Land Management

The practical application of principles and practices to meet desired goals and objectives while maintaining the productivity of the land.
Equipement loading timber logs on truck

All Resources on Land Management

  • Hardwood forests are complex ecosystems and are much more unforgiving to site conditions than their softwood counterparts.  Hardwood forests typically contain a variety of tree and brush species. However, hardwoods, like pines can be artificially established and grown in plantation settings to achieve a desired timber production goal.  Why hardwood  Typically, hardwood forests are associated […]
  • Fire is a normal, natural, and essential process in the Texas landscape, and has been used for centuries, even before European settlement. Prescribed fire is important for sustainable ecosystems today as it is one of the most effective, cost-efficient land management tools.   Conducting a prescribed burn can produce a host of ecosystem and fire mitigation […]
  • A written management or stewardship plan is the foundation of responsible forest stewardship. They enable you to make informed decisions about the future of your property. Both types of plans will divide your property into separate stands based on the differing conditions and management concerns or goals within those portions.  Management plans  A management plan is […]
  • Wildlife management and forest management go hand in hand.  We offer assistance to landowners to help improve habitats for wildlife on their property.   Every property is unique in its approach to management, and different management practices will be needed to accomplish diverse landowner objectives. Although the practices listed below may not be applicable to every […]
  • Windbreaks are trees and shrubs systematically planted adjacent to fields, homesteads, or feedlots as a barrier to reduce or redirect wind. They serve to enhance aesthetics, increase land value, reduce soil erosion, protect buildings and/or equipment, and establish wildlife habitat.  Windbreak design  Windbreaks may be designed or installed differently depending on their intended purpose. Six […]
  • Estate planning means planning for the willful transfer of personal property over time and after death. When it comes to a family forest, estate planning isn’t just about taxes. It is also about developing a forest legacy that future generations can share, enjoy, and enhance.   Estate planning begins with determining your property goals and objectives. […]
  • Forest Certification Programs Forest Certification Programs are designed to identify and recognize well-managed forest lands. Certifying your forest can be beneficial for helping you properly manage your forest as well as providing greater marketing opportunities when it is time to harvest.   There are several forest certification programs that share the same approaches and concerns while […]
  • The Forest Legacy program is a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the State of Texas that helps protect important forests at risk of being converted into non-forest uses.   The program encourages private landowners to voluntarily protect their forests by agreeing to conservation easements. These easements are legal agreements that limit certain uses of […]
  • 14.4 million acres of forested lands in Texas are suitable for timber production, which can potentially degrade water quality if done improperly.   Forestry BMPs are conservation practices that protect soil and water resources. Two key elements necessary for growing a healthy, sustainable, and productive forest. BMPs can include methods such as leaving a buffer zone […]
  • Trees, shrubs, bushes, and grasses are important vegetation. They:  Vegetation that benefits the ecosystem and works within the objectives of your land should be cared for and encouraged.  Certain types of vegetation, however, are only considered beneficial when in desired locations and can be considered “brush” otherwise.   Brush is a general term for woody shrubs, […]
  • Management Forests provide a essential econimc, social, and environmental functions. All of which are increased when managed well. Managing forestes also keeps them productive and safe from catasrphic loss to insects, diseases, extreme weather events, and wildfires.
  • Forestry operations are costly, take half-a-generation of care, and have prolonged risk exposure from fire, storm, tree disease, and insect damage. The impact of taxing any profit from timber sales income can be very powerful.   You may be paying too much on timber income taxes. Even if you use an accountant, you should understand how […]
  • For a century, we have provided Texas with seedlings from state nurseries.  Seed for these nurseries was originally provided from forest stands harvested in the region but now come from seed orchards established with trees selected for growth, form, and disease resistance as our tree improvement programs developed.    Tree improvement is a scientific process using […]
  • Much of East Texas was once dominated by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests but have been in decline for decades.   Longleaf pine ecosystems, like most forested ecosystems in the South, are dependent on frequent, low-intensity fires. The ecosystem thrived when forest fires burned every two to seven years, when lightning and Native Americans regularly caused fires. Native […]
  • Texas A&M Forest Service and prescribed fire  We conduct prescribed fires on State Forests and state lands to reduce hazardous fuels. This protects surrounding communities and provides wildland training opportunities for local cooperators like fire departments and natural resource agencies.   Our prescribed burn managers hold NWCG Prescribed Burn Boss Type 2 qualifications, and all […]

  • Got Land?

    Tools & Applications

    This app is a support tool that assists potential or new landowners during the initial stages of acquiring or owning property by providing management information and resources based on property goals selected.

  • Funding Connector

    Tools & Applications

    Funding Connector serves as a clearinghouse for information about various natural resource programs that offer financial assistance to Texas landowners, communities, and nonprofit organizations to implement conservation practices.

  • Draw My Ranch

    Tools & Applications

    Designed to create ranch planning reports, Draw My Ranch simplifies property mapping and enhances wildfire preparedness. You can define your property’s boundaries, roads, fences, and other features with intuitive drawing tools and compile information into a customized report.

  • My Land Management Connector

    Tools & Applications

    Helps landowners find land management service providers, assists service providers in aggregating land management services, and works for any size property.

  • Plan My Land Operation

    Tools & Applications

    Plan My Land Operation allows you to make a map of your property while taking a deeper dive into operational considerations as you manage your land. You can identify sensitive areas, determine soil suitability, create elevation profiles, and calculate recommended culvert size.

  • Map My Property

    Tools & Applications

    Map My Property provides landowners and other interested users a quick and simple tool for making a map of their property that can be shared with others. It also provides a variety of historical imagery and other mapped data for context.

  • Forest Drought

    Tools & Applications

    The Forest Drought application allows users to explore past, current, and future drought conditions on Texas forestland, bringing together data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, NOAA, and Texas A&M Forest Service. You can create a custom report to save or share.

  • Forest Herbicide Prescriptions

    Tools & Applications

    Forest Herbicide Prescriptions is a tool for finding the best silvicultural herbicide prescription to match your need.
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