BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROGRAM TOGETHER we are the tools for RECOVERY

LANDOWNER'S HANDBOOK BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROGRAM

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Bastrop County Community Reforestation Program (BCCRP) is to promote recovery and restoration of Bastrop County, it's communities, and residents affected by the 2011 Bastrop County Complex Fire (BCCF) by providing reforestation

services to eligible program participants through the utilization of volunteers and large scale, community-based education and outreach opportunities focused on planting

available native, drought resistant loblolly pine seedlings.

Prepared by: TreeFolks & Loomis Partners, a Bowman Company

BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROGRAM

TOGETHER we are the tools for RECOVERY

LANDOWNER'S HANDBOOK

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Introduction

History/Background The Bastrop County Complex Fire (BCCF) was the most destructive wildfire in Texas history impacting over 34,000 acres of the unique Lost Pines ecoregion in Bastrop County, Texas. The Lost Pines ecoregion, an area of isolated loblolly pines, is a significant draw for tourism, residential, and economic growth in Bastrop County as well as a significant portion of the remaining critical habitat for the endangered Houston toad. Of the 34,000 acres burned, 11,360 acres of privately owned land were moderately to severely burned, meaning that the recovery of any significant vegetation on these lands under natural conditions, are not likely to occur within at least two growing seasons with adequate rainfall.1 According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, approximately 38 percent of the trees were killed from the initial burn with an additional 40 percent expected to diminish shortly after the fire. This means nearly 1.5 million trees with a diameter of 5 inches or greater are expected to die from the Bastrop County Complex Wildfire.2 In addition, the intensity of the fire and lack of available nutrients in the soil destroyed or stunted the regeneration of much of the loblolly pine seed bank available in the soil. Therefore, proactive measures to reforest the native loblolly pines are needed to accelerate the recovery of the Lost Pines ecosystem. Our Thanks The resource information, technical guidance, and recommendations used in the preparation of this Landowner's Handbook have been provided courtesy of the Texas A&M Forest Service and tailored specifically for you to meet the needs and objectives in restoring your land. Although extensive effort has been put forth to ensure this Landowner's Handbook is a universal resource tool for all recipients of BCCRP reforestation services, not all recommendations included within this handbook may be relevant or applicable for implementation on each individual property receiving reforestation services through the BCCRP. Each Landowner is encouraged to seek additional guidance from the resource links provided below and in each section before implementing management activities. Landowner Participation: This Bastrop County Community Reforestation Program (BCCRP) Landowner Handbook was created to help you make informed decisions concerning the future of your land and to provide various techniques on how to care for trees once they are planted. Your desire to better manage your property will provide lasting benefits that your family will enjoy for future generations. While there are no requirements for program participants to implement items in this Handbook, the recommendations contained herein may provide higher survival rates and accelerate the growth of your newly planted trees. Your efforts to restore the forested lands lost in the Bastrop County Complex Fire should help to improve the aesthetic appeal, biological diversity, wildlife habitat, water quality, native plant succession and increase fire safety if a wildfire should occur in the future. To promote the BCCRP’s mission for comprehensive ecosystem recovery, it is recommended that you care for your new trees in the most environmentally sensitive manner as possible to avoid any additional soil loss and

1 Lost Pines Habitat Recover Project Master Plan, Lost Pines Recovery Team. 10 April, 2012.

2 Resources Assessment & Response Report, 10 Nov 2011. p 215.

BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROGRAM

TOGETHER we are the tools for RECOVERY

LANDOWNER'S HANDBOOK

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Photo courtesy of Texas Forest Service.

water quality degradation. The Lost Pines ecosystem is home to the federally endangered Houston toad, therefore newly reforested areas on your property should be cared for with hand tools only. It is important that before implementing any land management activities on your property, to contact your local LPHCP administrator for information on appropriate land management techniques and implementation strategies within the critical habitat of the Houston toad http://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/site/content/lostpineshabitat. For questions related to the use of chemicals to implement any management activities on your property please visit: http://bastrop.agrilife.org/ or contact Rachel Bauer, the Bastrop County Texas AgriLife Extension Agent at (512) 581-7186. For questions related to forest stand improvement practices please visit: http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu or contact Daniel Lewis, the Bastrop County Texas A&M Forest Service Forester at (979) 968-5555. For questions related to the Lost Pines Habitat Conservation Plan for the Houston Toad please visit: http://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/site/content/lostpineshabitat or contact Colton Stabano at (512) 332-7284. For questions regarding the Bastrop County Community Reforestation Program, please visit http://treefolks.org/reforestation/ or contact Dan Pacatte, TreeFolks program coordinator at (512)443-5323.

Firewise Landscaping

What is Firewise Landscaping? The primary goal of Firewise landscaping is fuel reduction. It provides for recommendations to limit the level of flammable vegetation and materials surrounding the home. It also teaches people how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together and take action now to prevent losses. 3 Protecting your property from the ravaging effects of a wildfire is an important consideration for property owners in rural areas. Wildfires in heavy forest cover can be particularly devastating when access is limited. Firebreaks help increase access to remote areas of your property, provide access routes to fight fire, and can serve as a protective barrier in the event of a wildfire. The recommended minimum width of a firebreak is 8 feet and may be maintained as bare ground or with managed vegetation. Firebreaks should provide access and create a break in fuel to the perimeter of the property. They are typically established around the perimeter of the property; however internal breaks for large properties are also a good idea. You should adopt Firewise landscaping techniques around your home while restoring your property to protect the structure from wildfire. The Bastrop County Community Reforestation Program recommends trees to be planted at least 30 feet from structures such as homes, garages and sheds and a minimum of eight feet around fencing. To learn more about simple techniques and fire-resistant plant recommendations that are important in protecting your home from wildfire, please visit www.texasforestservice.tamu.edu and www.firewise.org.

3http://www.firewise.org/about.aspx. Accessed 12 February, 2013.

BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROGRAM

TOGETHER we are the tools for RECOVERY

LANDOWNER'S HANDBOOK

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Forest Succession

What is Forest Succession? Forest succession is the process of change in species composition over time. The Lost Pines ecosystem is unique to the Central Texas area because of an isolated population of drought-hardy loblolly pines. These loblolly pine trees reached the climax or final stage of succession meaning they could reproduce successfully beneath their own shade and maintain the community indefinitely under present conditions. While typically loblolly pine trees are tolerant of wildfire, the extreme fire temperature and behavior that occurred increased the likelihood that natural regeneration of pine and other hardwoods will be delayed. This may allow colonization by invasive species, soil erosion, and decreased habitat for wildlife including the Houston Toad. So What Does This Mean? Pro-active restoration efforts by the community and landowners are needed to ensure the ecosystem recovers in a healthy manner. While recovery of the Lost Pines forest will likely take decades, there are a number of measures we can implement to help accelerate its’ recovery. The most common measure include: replanting native plant species, managing invasive species, and implementation of erosion control techniques. Replant Native Plant Species: There may be little to no natural regeneration of the Lost Pines loblolly pines and other hardwoods within the moderate to heavy burn areas, therefore it is vital to replant both native hardwood species and Lost Pines loblolly pines. While loblolly pine trees may be available for sale at some nurseries, it is important for consumers to realize that these are not the Lost Pines loblolly pine tree which is adapted to the climate of Central Texas. Below is a list of recommended trees to plant in Bastrop County:

Large Stature Trees Small-Medium Stature Trees

American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) Gum bumeila (Sideroxylon lanuginosum) American elm (Ulmus americana) Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana),

Winged elm (Ulmus alata) Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) Cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia) Red mulberry (Morus rubra)

Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) Roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii) Black hickory (Carya texana) Texas persimmon (Diospyros texana)

Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) Cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana) Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis),

Coastal live oak (Quercus virginiana) Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) Eves necklace (Sophora affinis) Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) Farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)

Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) Flameleaf sumac (Rhus lanceolata) White ash (Fraxinus americana)

Hackberry (Celtus sp.) Native pecan (Carya illinoinensis) Osage orange (Maclura pomifera)

Western soapberry (Sapindus drummondii

For more information about recommended native tree species, visit the Lady Bird John Wildflower Center’s Native Plant Database at: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/.

BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROGRAM

TOGETHER we are the tools for RECOVERY

LANDOWNER'S HANDBOOK

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Manage Non-native and Native Invasive Species: Both non-native and native plants may become invasive, displacing native vegetation. This is a threat to the endangered Houston toad and a healthy forest ecosystem. A common native shrub that may require control is yaupon holly, which is re-sprouting more quickly than other native species and therefore, can be considered invasive. The best practice to ensure invasive species do not dominate your landscape is to remove them from your property while they are young. By managing invasive species, native trees and vegetation will be more likely to establish thus increasing plant diversity. Find additional information about invasive plants at http://www.texasinvasives.org/. The following images depict the most common invasive species in Central Texas:

Chinese tallow

(Triadica sebifera) Chinaberry

(Melia azedarach) Wax-leaf ligustrum (privet)

(Ligustrum japonicum) Yaupon holly

(Ilex vomitoria)

Nandina (Nandina domestica)

Giant reed

(Arundo donax) Japanese honeysuckle

(Lonicera japonica)

Images courtesy of www.texasinvasives.org and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Erosion Control techniques: The potential for severe soil erosion and accelerated water runoff exists after a wildfire due to the lack of vegetation and ground cover which stabilize the soil. To reduce this risk mulch areas containing steep slopes and bare soil, spread seed mixes approved for the Lost Pine ecosystem, or install water bars from felled tree trunks and limbs. Learn more about erosion control techniques at http://bastroprecovery.org/soil-and-erosion/.

BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROGRAM

TOGETHER we are the tools for RECOVERY

LANDOWNER'S HANDBOOK

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FIGURE 1

Tree Planting Techniques

Loblolly Pine Seedling Planting Instructions

Proper care of seedlings until they are planted is extremely important. The most vital precautions involve keeping the seedlings moist, not allowing them to dry out, freeze, or experience excessive heat, and providing cold storage until the seedlings are planted. Seedlings should be planted as soon as they are received and only during the planting season between mid October and mid March. This program is designed to mimic natural reforestation patterns therefore seedlings should be planted on an 8 x 10 foot spacing with an estimated density of 544 trees per acre, unless otherwise stated in the Tree Planting Site Plan. Seedlings should be planted at least 30 feet from structures and eight feet from fencing to protect your home from future wildfires and to allow access along property lines. Proper planting techniques are essential for the program’s success and will allow for greater number of seedlings to survive. Recommended tools for planting include: dibble bar, hoedad, plug bar, planting shovel or a sharpshooter. Loblolly pine planting instructions are illustrated in Figure 1.

All seedlings should pass a “four-needle” test once planted which means the seedlings should remain firmly planted when pulled by four needles. Roots should not be planted in a U-, V-, J-, or L-shaped manner where the tap root is curved at the bottom. The root ball should be completely below ground once planted. Pin flags are being used to mark the location of each planted seedling. They allow for accurate spacing during planting, quality assurance opportunities, and follow up survival assessment. Pin flags will also help landowners protect trees from damage and/or provide supplemental water and mulch.

Newly planted and mulched pine seedling. Photo courtesy of TreeFolks.

BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROGRAM

TOGETHER we are the tools for RECOVERY

LANDOWNER'S HANDBOOK

Page | 7

Photo courtesy of Texas Forest Service.

Images courtesy of International Society of Arboriculture.

There are many benefits to planting young seedlings compared to larger containerized trees. They have greater chances of survival with minimal care and resources; they also have less potential for root problems which are inherent with containerized trees. Due to the limited availability of seedling trees and the desire for taller, more mature trees, many landowners may wish to plant container grown trees.

Container Tree Planting Instructions

1. Dig a hole 2-3 times the width and no deeper than the depth of the root ball. Keep the top of the root ball even with the ground and place tree on firm, undisturbed soil.

2. Tickle the Roots: Remove tree from container and loosen soil and roots along outside edge of root ball. Prune any roots growing in a circle around the root ball.

3. Backfill the hole with the original soil and no additives. Gently tamp the soil until the hole is filled.

4. Build a 3” tall mulch ring 3 feet around the tree keeping the mulch at least 2” from the trunk. Mulch keeps the soil moist, protects the tree and adds nutrients to the soil

5. Water every 7-10 days, year-round for 2 years.

Tree Maintenance and Protection

Mulch, water, and protection are three key elements to tree maintenance. These following recommendations are not required but may increase the survival and growth rates of both seedling and containerized trees. Mulching Mulch is an important tool that when properly applied provides a variety of benefits to the forest ecosystem including protection against soil erosion, preserving soil moisture, increasing organic matter of soil, reducing grass and weeds that compete for resources, and insulating the soil against temperature extremes. Trees growing in a forest typically have plenty of mulch from leaf litter and underlying duff layer, but areas affected by the fire and landscaped trees grow in very different conditions which benefit from mulch. Spread mulch in a shallow circle around the tree using the rule of thumb: keep mulch a thumb’s length away from the trunk and at a thumb’s length deep (2-3 inches). For seedlings apply mulch in a one foot radius around the trunk and for container trees apply mulch in a three foot radius from the trunk. Mulch applied at any additional distance from the trunk is not wasted; it will help improve the soil for future tree root growth.

Proper Mulching

Improper Mulching

BASTROP COUNTY COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROGRAM

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LANDOWNER'S HANDBOOK

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Watering Seedling trees planted through this program do not require irrigation, the program is designed to mimic natural forest regeneration patterns. However, if a landowner can provide periodic water when rainfall is scarce it will increase the chances for survival and may give the trees’ growth rate a small boost. If feasible, water each seedling tree with approximately ½ gallon of water once a week during periods with little to no rainfall. You can do this by turning a hose on a low trickle for 2 minutes on each tree, place a ½ gallon of water in a bucket with holes drilled in the bottom next to the tree, or with a drip irrigation or sprinkler system. Over watering can be harmful for young trees so follow the recommended watering instructions for your trees.

Protection

Deer, cattle and other wildlife love to nibble on young seedlings, especially when the abundance of surrounding vegetation is low. This browsing will stunt the growth or kill the trees unless they are protected. If feasible, especially on small lots or in places where regeneration is the main land management goal, consider placing small tomato cages or mesh tubes around trees for their first two years in the ground.

TOGETHER we are the tools for RECOVERY

THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS

Browse protection. Image courtesy of TreeFolks.

Watering sketches courtesy of TreeFolks.