Forest Health Checklist
Answering the following questions will help you assess the health of your forested property. At the end of the checklist, you will find interpretations of your responses, and our recommendations on how to turn problem areas into part of a healthy forest.
a thinned aspen grove
Please note that the tree species listed in the checklist are those most common to this region of Colorado. If you live somewhere else, you may want to research the five or six most common tree species in your region and substitute those in the corresponding section of the checklist.
If you find that your forest is unhealthy, our best advice is to call a forester! If your property is in the Westcliffe region, call us at Greenleaf Forestry and Wood Products for a free forest evaluation!
Checklist Click here for printer-friendly version!
1. Diversity in tree and shrub types. (Circle all that apply)
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a. Tree sizes |
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All |
Some |
None |
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All |
Some |
None |
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All |
Some |
None |
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Pine |
All |
Some |
None |
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Fir |
All |
Some |
None |
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Spruce |
All |
Some |
None |
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Aspen |
All |
Some |
None |
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Juniper |
All |
Some |
None |
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Oak |
All |
Some |
None |
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Other |
All |
Some |
None |
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Tall Trees |
All |
Some |
None |
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Low Trees |
All |
Some |
None |
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Shrubs |
All |
Some |
None |
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2. The following best describes my forested property. (Check all that apply)
- My forest is dense, with many small tress, shrubs and downed trees (difficult to walk property).
- I have standing dead trees.
- I have standing trees whose foliage has turned unseasonably yellow or brown.
- Views of my property and surrounding landscape are limited by vegetation.
- There has been a noticeable difference in the appearance of my land over the past five years (such as gambel or scrub oak encroachment).
- There is vegetation immediately adjacent to my house or other buildings.
3. Forest Fire Hazard and Defensible Space
- Flammable vegetation and other materials have been removed within 3-5 feet of home
- A “Fire Wise” landscape plan is in place within 15 feet of home
- A defensible zone of between 75 and 125 feet has been created around my home (depending on topography of site). This includes thinning so there is at least 10 feet between crowns, pruning limbs to a height of 10 feet , removal of all ladder fuels, removal of all stressed, diseased, dead, or dying trees or shrubs and other fuel reductions.
- Beyond 125 feet from home there is an active forest management plan in place for selective thinning, removal of beetle kill and mistletoe trees and other normal maintenance activities.
4. Indicate specific activities performed either by you or a forest management company.
- Identification and removal of insect infestation.
- Assessment of defensible space and fire protection clearing completed.
- Identification of disease and parasite infections (i.e., mistletoe).
- New trees planted on your property.
- Harvesting of trees on your property for sale or building purposes.
- Improved road and trail access to property and/or within your property.
5. The following best describes the status of your forested property.
- Forest exists as it was when purchased (no assessment of forest).
- I have conducted a self-assessment of my forest land.
- I have conducted a self-assessment of my forest land and perform forest management activities.
- I have had a professional assessment of my forested land conducted. When _____.
- I have had a professional assessment of my forested land and forest management performed. When _____.
6. How do you perceive the neighboring properties adjacent to your own?
- The neighboring forest appears to be carefully managed.
- The neighboring forest is not managed.
- The neighboring forest shows signs of potential health problems noted in Question 2 above.
7. If your subdivision or community has an active management program, it is best described by the following:
- Our subdivision has a forest management council, or committee.
- Our subdivision conducts clinics, workshops and/or educational programs on forest health.
- Our subdivision provides free assessment of forest issues on my property.
- Our subdivision actively cuts and removes dead and dying trees.
- Our subdivision conducts tree spraying when necessary.
- Does not apply.
Guidelines for Interpreting Your Responses. back to top
Question 1: Forest diversity, in terms of size, species, and shapes & "layers", is healthy and desirable. Variety in
size indicates a healthy mix of trees by age. No property will have an equal quantity of several different species of tree, and some species common to the region may not be present at all. For example if your property is in a relatively hot and dry area, trees that prefer cool and wet conditions may not grow there. However, a healthy mix would include one or two dominant species, with a smaller quantity of other species. If you have circled "All" or "None" several times, you may want to consider planting several trees of the species you are missing. Greenleaf's Foresters can give you more exact advice about how many trees of what species you should plant.
Question 2: Each of the things listed in this question is a sign of an unhealthy forest or a potential disadvantage.
If your forest is excessively dense, trees won't have room to grow properly. Additionally, excessive density presents a fire hazard, as do standing dead trees. Thinning is an important part of maintaining forest health, and standing dead trees should be removed.
If tree foilage turns yellow or brown out of season, your trees may be diseased or infested by insects. It is important that you contact a forester regarding proper methods of removal, so that the disease or insects are not allowed to spread to other trees.
If your views are blocked or limited by vegetation, you may simply be missing out on some of the greatest advantages your property has to offer! Foresters can cut trees selectively to create "view corridors" without damaging the natural appearance of your forests.
If you have noticed a change in the appearance of your property, such as gambel or scrub oak encroachment, you may be losing species diversity. Greenleaf's Foresters can help you to limit the presence of these less-desirable trees.
If there is vegetation immediately adjacent to your home or other buildings, this may prevent a fire hazard. Question 3 will give you more information about fire hazards.
Question 3: This question lists steps for fire hazard mitigation. These are some of the most effective things you can do to keep your home safe from wildfires while preserving your forest in a fairly natural state. Of course, the fewer trees and vegetation surrounding your home, the better your chances a fire will leave your home intact. Yet there may be nearby trees you enjoy and would not want to remove. Greenleaf's Foresters can help advise you how to keep the trees you want while making your property safer.
See our wildfire defense page for more information.
Question 4: This question is a list of some of the most commonly performed forestry operations; operations from which most properties can benefit. These operations can be performed by Greenleaf's Foresters, or after their assesment, you can do the work yourself!
Question 5: Your answer to this question should give an indication of your level of involvement in managing your forest lands. Our recommendation? "I have conducted a self-assessment of my forest land and perform forest management activities," and "I have had a professional assessment of my forested land and forest management performed." We always hope that you, as the property owner, are also taking an active role in forest care! By completing this checklist, you have already done a self-assessment! And of course, it's important not only to assess, but also to perform managment.
Question 6: You know where your property boundary lies, but your trees don't. Problems in the adjacent forest can easily affect yours. Once you are aware of the nearby hazard, Greenleaf's Foresters can advise you about how to protect your trees. For example, if neighboring forests are excessively dense, you may want to thin the bordering forests on your property to help mitigate the possibility of fires spreading. Nearby diseases or insect infestations may soon infect your trees without prevenative action.
Question 7: These are proactive measures subdivisions can take in managing forests. Taking action at the subdivision level is particularly important because each piece of forested property is affected by the surrounding pieces. If your subdivision does not implement any of these practices, you may want to consider taking the initiative in organizing a committee! Greenleaf's Foresters are available to assist you with this.
