Lake Murray Field Trial Grounds
Oklahoma Field Trail Clubs Assn
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Lake Murray Field Trial Grounds |
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8-27-07 | page added |
| Unit A - Tree Thinning Specification Day ... see the specification here (PDF Specification) | ||
| The Management Plan Specification for thinning trees was a detailed process and weighed numerous considerations. Our local biologists, Mike Porter and Grant Huggins carried the lion' share of the analysis. The focus was to preserve the mature trees, over 12 inches at breast height and to preserve the riparian (creek areas) as wildlife sanctuaries and soils erosion concerns - a strong concern of Carol Conrad, Lake Murray State Park Manager. The basic idea is to open up the canopy cover to allow grasses, legumes and forbs to flourish, which are key to bobwhite quail survival. The side benefit is that prescribed burning can then be used to maintain the infestation of lesser trees, so the old-growth oaks can absorb more of the available water and mineral resources. | ||
| The activity involved an area in Unit A shown in purple on the map below, just south of the OFTCA Clubhouse. A tractor and tree clipper were used for a bulk of the tree removal, and participants used three chain saws to work the riparian areas. At first blush, the visual impact is not significant due to the fact that the riparian areas were left alone. Future efforts will most likely clear some of the view area around the pond for aesthetics only. A band of about 200' was cleared north of the dry creek area and can be best viewed by taking a short walk south of the clubhouse. | ||
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| Participants | Mike Porter (Noble Foundation biologist), Grant Huggins and John Holman (Fresh Tracts LLC biologists), Daron Henry (Rocking 4 Ranch), Mike Wingate and Chris Cowlbeck (d Bar b Rock Creek) | |
| Cost Tracking | The estimated value of the labor, equipment and materials for the day's activities was $1,073 and is being tabulated for future granting opportunities. | |
| Video Clips | Mike Porter Explains the Purpose (2.5 mb video) | |
| Chris Cowlbeck Describes the Results (1.5 mb video) | ||
