Precise Forestry Management Leads to Timber Regeneration: Learn About Best Logging Practices with Matt Schultz

Meet Matt Schultz, owner and operator of United Country Real Estate | Northern Wisconsin Lifestyle Properties and Pine Curve Forestry & Wildlife Consulting, LLC. Born and raised in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Schultz has a lifetime of first-hand knowledge when it comes to managing timberland, creating wildlife habitats and the ins and outs of land properties across the Upper Wisconsin Basin.

On top of his deep knowledge of forestry, Schultz has been involved in the lifestyle real estate industry since 2004, providing his clients more than 20 years of unmatched understanding and expertise. His unique blend of thorough real estate and forestry consultation experience sets him apart as the trusted advisor in Northern Wisconsin. Learn all about how Schultz can help you with your timberland property in the below video.

Matt Schultz’s Approach to Forestry Management

Transcript of Video:

“Hi Everyone. Matt Schultz | Pine Curve Forestry. I wanted to take a few minutes today while I’m on a client property doing a post-harvest inspection to illustrate some really good forestry on both the forester and the loggers part that are gonna make a nice enhancement in both the future timber stand and wildlife habitat on this property.

When I marked the stand, I came across this small patch of sugar maple regeneration that was being overtopped by the edge of the overstory pine plantation, which had been planted in an abandoned agricultural field. This plantation and where this spot is located is right on the edge of the old field and northern hardwood stand that is typical of northern Wisconsin. When I saw this during my marking, I identified it as a really good opportunity to release this regeneration and slowly begin converting this pine stand to a natural forest, as well as to enhance the wildlife benefits through age/class diversity and high stem density for our young forest species.”

Schultz goes on to explain how the size of this regeneration patch is slightly smaller than a quarter acre, but despite its size, it’s packed with ecological potential.

Enhance Wildlife Habitats

“Some of the key features [of this property] are the dead red pine that’s going to act as a nice wildlife snag in the middle of this patch that will be used a perch and a foraging site for many birds,” Schultz continued. “When that tree finally falls and comes to the ground, it’ll undoubtedly lie in this dense regeneration and be an excellent drumming site for rough grouse, as well as microsite for other species we don’t often think about like amphibians and invertebrates.”

We’ve got a couple of wildlife den trees that were left. There’s an old ‘wolfy’ sugar maple that provides a good habitat from both the den and good forage standpoint, and on the other side of the patch, we’ve got a large, overgrown, legacy sugar maple with several hollow cavities that are about 15 to 20 feet up in the air. These trees are a den site for flying squirrels or other birds that may use dens like that.”

Offering food and shelter through the dead pines makes a real difference when fostering health ecosystems. It takes careful planning and a deep understanding of the areas flora and fauna additional to trusted and knowledgeable harvesting teams.

Quality Logging Practices

Another key aspect of Schultz’s work as a forester is partnering with skilled logging contractors to ensure you work with the best people. He highlighted the work done on this particular property as being a well-planned and sustainable approach.

“One of the things that really stand out to me is that post-harvest at this specific location is how well the logger did in harvesting this area to preserve and not overly-damage the regeneration. In the area, you’ll see there are still several pine stumps with not very much regeneration around them. That was by design. They used a Ponsse Harvester to harvest, and they operated from the edges and reached in and grabbed those trees, essentially lifting them right off of the stump. They did it in such a careful manner that there literally is hardly a sapling that is damaged.”

The precise execution of this timber harvest is already paying off. Schultz goes on to explain how there was no regeneration there when he had gone through earlier to mark the stand.

“It’s very impressive and really outlines and shows the quality of work that you can get from quality logging contractors. There is no doubt that had we not had a quality contractor out here doing this work, this little spot could’ve turned out much differently. I’m happy they took such care with this,” Schultz said. “From here on out it’s only going to grow and establish. It’s going to be good for the forest and good for the wildlife.”

Matt Schultz is an expert on forestry, waterfront properties, recreational and hunting land, residential homes and land management. His combination of experience in in the timberland and real estate industries demonstrate how well-managed forestry not only improved timber yields, but it also enhances wildlife habitats, ensuring enjoyment of the land for generations to come. As part of United Country Real Estate’s unmatched network, Schultz can advertise your properties to the most potential buyers, as well as leverage cutting-edge technology to help you sell faster. Contact Matt at his UCRE | Northern Wisconsin Lifestyle Properties office today to begin your journey to your ideal property in the beautiful Northern Wisconsin.