Page 15 - Tree Line - NCFA - First Quarter 2020

$560 per acre. His property is organized into 43 separately managed Forest Management Units, or FMUs. Jones noted that he learned quite a bit about forest management from his neighboring landowners, the Hofmann Forest and Weyerhaeuser Company, over the years.
In addition to his intensive management efforts, Jones has also established a sprawling, but well-maintained road network throughout his forest holdings. Overall, there are more than 18 miles of barrow-type roads, with three feet of vegetation on each side to control runoff and erosion. Jones also uses prescribed fire as part of his forest management approach; each year, he burns over 300 acres. He also thins over 100 acres a year, and sprays herbicide to decrease competition and to mitigate wildfire risk.
From a recreational standpoint, Jones noted that it is very satisfying to see trees that you planted over 20 years ago grown into a fully improved, mature stand of timber. Forest management is great for the environment and improves carbon sequestration, he said. From a wildlife perspective, forest management is very beneficial; species are plentiful and diversified. Jones has incorporated food plots, retention ponds and animal-friendly herbicides to benefit the wildlife on his property.
“Quality forest management truly is beneficial to your community, wildlife, the environment, and to yourself as a landowner,” he said.
Jones also took time to discuss working with loggers and the logging process from a landowner’s standpoint. A forest landowner has to work with the logger, and having too many restrictions can create problems for the logger. Jones noted that good access roads and proper decking are key for him personally when one of his tracts is being logged. Jones credited the NCFA’s ProLogger Program for generating better-trained loggers
since its inception in 1994. ProLoggers know
the environment, and they are trained to safely conduct timber-harvesting operations, which gives Jones confidence in their work. As a landowner, taking the initiative to pre-plan prior to the start
of logging operations avoids potential problems post-harvest, during the re-planting process, Jones said. He added that knowing the people in your area who control the forestry resources is very beneficial as a landowner.
Jones has been a member of the NCFA since 1965, and a member of the Tree Farm Program since 1964. During his time with the NCFA, he
served as President of the association from 2007 to 2008, Chairman of the Board from 2008 to 2009, and he was an active Board member from 2003 to 2015. Jones was also the Chair of the Friends of Forestry Political Action Committee (FFPAC) from 2010 to 2015. In serving the NCFA, he said, “I have learned a lot, particularly techniques. People with a shared vision about forestry have become good friends of mine. I have certainly received more than I have given.”
If you are buying timberland, join the NCFA, he said. “The association is a resource; it can connect you with the right people/resources, and it is a non-biased source of knowledge.
In my opinion, the average landowner does not have the right resources to manage their land, timber, wildlife, agriculture, etc. without assistance. NCFA can direct landowners to the right places, which can in turn help them to achieve their management goals.”
Above: Some of Jones’ cleared agricultural land in row crops, with his successional woodlands visible in the background. Below: Charles Jones and his sons Steven (left) and Charlie (right).
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