Large tracts of naturally-occurring mature bottomland hardwood forest, composed of a mix of tree species, will provide for black bear needs without intensive management. For example, natural disturbance in the form of tree falls and wind storms typically provide sufficient forest openings needed for forage production and cover. The first choice for naturally occurring bottomland hardwood stands is to leave these stands unmanaged. However, if habitat conditions are inappropriate or if a landowner’s objective is to harvest timber products from the land for income, the following recommendations should be considered.

It is important to maintain a diverse bottomland hardwood forest of maximum growing vigor. From a bear habitat standpoint, a productive forest stimulates yield from hard mast (e.g., oak, pecan, hickory) and soft mast (e.g., blackgum, wild grape, blackberry) producing trees and vegetation that maintains a diversity of animal foods. Black bears depend largely on fall and early winter mast crops to provide enough fat reserves to survive winter dormancy. Management of a timber stand for oaks and other hard mast producing species is good for production of high quality hardwood timber and optimum black bear foraging habitat. Maximizing tree vigor and hard mast production will benefit bears as well as all other wildlife species that depend on this carbohydrate-rich food source. Maintaining a diversity of age classes, stand types, and vegetative composition within the forest will provide excellent habitat conditions for black bears. Rotation length for crop trees should be a minimum of 50 years, with 70-100 years preferred for hard mast production.

Intermediate cuts (or stand thinnings) should be designed to improve species composition, remove individual trees of poor quality or vigor, promote regeneration of desirable timber species, encourage food production and create escape and nesting cover for bears and a variety of other wildlife species. Stand thinnings should be made when it is economically and silviculturally feasible, preferably with 5 to 15 year intervals. Although regular thinnings are compatible with maintenance of suitable black bear habitat, cuts should carefully consider protection of existing and potential den trees (see III. Special Considerations). Mid-story timber stand improvement (TSI) can be accomplished in such a manner as to remove less desirable non-commercial species (e.g., American hornbeam, box elder, eastern hop hornbeam) while encouraging those desirable to bears (e.g., mulberry, swamp dogwood, spicebush). Diameter-limit harvest (or high-grading) should be avoided as this may lead to a change in stand composition detrimental to bear habitat and timber stand quality over a long rotation period. When feasible, logging slash and tops should be left for bedding areas and for foraging sites for insects, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals. Deadfall trees should also be left undisturbed for foraging sites for insects.

Regeneration/Management

Natural regeneration of key species such as hard mast producers can be achieved through planned silvicultural management operations. Natural regeneration through group selection or small patch removals will enhance regeneration of shade intolerant species such as oaks. Early successional food plants (e.g., dewberry, blackberry, elderberry, pokeberry) also benefit from these harvest practices that allow sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor. In intensive short rotation hardwood plantations, use coppice (or stump sprout) regeneration when feasible to regenerate within one year of harvesting. Where feasible, land managers can intercrop with grains (soybeans, wheat) for at least the first year.

Special Considerations