Timber Lake WMA Oak Enhancement

Timber Lake WMA - This unit consists of 916 acres of wetlands, woods, food plots and grasslands located near Wilder, MN in Jackson Co. Timber Lake WPA and numerous acres enrolled in RIM and CRP are also located in close proximity to the unit creating a nice complex for wildlife. The project site is located along the south side of Timber Lake, a 191-acre lake managed as a waterfowl sanctuary. Woodland habitat along the shoreline is primary composed of bur oak, with scattered box elder, green ash, buckthorn, willow, and cottonwood. A large cedar/spruce thermal cover planting and an oak/hackberry planting have been added adjacent to the south shoreline since the WMA was acquired in the 90s. Natural regeneration of bur oak is occurring along the shoreline, but crowding by less desirable tree species and other oaks is inhibiting seedling oak growth. This CPL project seeks to enhance 14 acres of existing/developing oak woodland habitat along the south shore of Timber Lake by selectively thinning competing oaks, as well as removal of non-mast bearing tree species that are also competing with the seedling oaks. Removal of ash, box elder, and other less desirable tree species, and thinning competing seedling oaks will promote larger crown development for seedling oaks while maintaining the vigor and health of remaining trees. Many of the WMAs in the area have nice stands of old growth bur oak, but often the young oak component is limited or missing completely. Management of oak woodlands in the prairie Ecoregion is needed; this project is a pilot for the area with the goal of enhancing habitat for white-tailed deer and other oak woodland dependent species.