Landowner Main Page

Wildlife Habitat

Habitat Maintenance

Habitat maintenance is just as important as establishing good wildlife habitat, yet it is frequently overlooked. Would you plant a new lawn and not mow, water, or fertilize it? The same is true for other habitats. Without proper maintenance, plantings may loose their vigor, become overrun by invasive species, or convert to a less desirable stage of development.

The timing and methods you select depends upon the long-term management objectives for your property. However, some common maintenance provisions are briefly described below. In general, all maintenance is done on a rotational basis. This promotes a diversity of habitat types and provides food and cover during the winter and early spring.

Disking

Disking breaks up grass plantings that have become too overgrown. Many species of wildlife such as quail require habitat that they can walk through, but it still provides overhead cover. Infrequent disking creates annual food plants containing a mix of natural grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Disk strips three to four inches deep and about 10 to 20 feet wide. Disk strips on a four to five year rotation from January to March.

Burning

Prescribed burning of native warm-season grasses removes excess litter, which can limit wildlife movements, stimulates new and vigorous growth, and prevents excessive woody growth. Divide your planting into small units (less than five acres) with firebreaks. Fire breaks, which are typically bare ground, cool-season grass/legume mix, small grains, or existing roads, should be at least 20 feet in width. Burn the units on a three year rotation, burning 1/3 of the total area each year. A list of private consultants that provide prescribed fire assistance is available.

Mowing

Mowing has a different affect than disking or burning. It does not remove old growth and litter like burning or disking. Repeated mowing creates a grass-dominated system that lacks woody shrubs, vines, and bare ground. A mixture of these habitat components is important to a variety of wildlife. For example, research has demonstrated that the majority of quail nests are built at the base of brambles, sumac, sassafras, and other woody plants on sites that contain about 30 percent bare ground.

Mowing can be a substitute for disking on highly erodible slopes or burning on areas near buildings, or used to control tree invasion on a spot-basis. Mow areas on a three to five year rotation as needed in August (after the nesting season), mowing 1/3 to 1/5 of the units each year. Mow at a frequency and intensity to maintain a mix of grass, forbs, and shrubs while reducing tree invasion or controlling invasive plants.