Woodland Livestock Damage

Woodland damage caused by livestck is a well-documented, yet persistent, forest health problem. Soil compaction, root disturbance and trunk/root collar damage caused by livestock reduce the vigor of trees. This paves the way for armillaria root rot, borers and other opportunistic organisms.

Exclude Livestock for Healthier Woodlands

Livestock also destroy the forest understory (reproduction), which hastens soil erosion and limits the future productivity of the site. The resulting forest decline reduces the quality, value and longevity of current and future trees on the site. Eliminating livestock from woodlands is the first step toward a healthier, more productive forest.

Cows Make for Poor Woodlands
Woodlands Make for Poor Cows

• Woodland soils, waterways and timber production all suffer when a woodland is grazed. This disturbance to the forest environment has many other destructive impacts as well.

• Wildlife cover and food supply are reduced or eliminated in a pastured woods. Consequently, so is the quality of wildlife.

• Other forest products, such as firewood, mushrooms and ginseng are eliminated or reduced in a grazed woodland.

• A pastured woodland does not possess the beauty of forest wildflowers, ferns and clean, spring fed streams.

• Excluding livestock from woodland, and grazing only on improved pastures, results in improved animal health. Livestock find very little forage growing in an Ohio woods. Also, there are over 50 plants commonly found in Ohio forests that are poisonous to livestock.

• Livestock browsing destroys young hardwood by girdling and physical deformation. Elimination of these young seedlings, along with the damage to larger trees, reduces the number of trees in the woodland and threatens continued production of fine hardwood timber.

• Livestock do three things to cause rapid erosion on a woodlot. They clear, cultivate and compact the soil. Hoof damage to tree butts and exposed roots allow entry of damaging insects and diseases.

• Three-quarters of a million acres of grazed Ohio woodlands are eroding at the annual rate of 12 times greater than ungrazed woodlands.

• The solution to the problem is very simple. Convert marginal woodlands into productive pasture and fence to protect remaining woodlands from pasturing. A small corner of the woods should be included in the pasture for summer shade and winter wind protection, while the remaining area is protected from livestock.

• Contact you local Soil & Water Conservation District office for a complete list of poisonious woodland plants. To save our livestock, woods and soil, the forest must be protected from grazing.