Beaver Damage to Nonimpounded Timber in Mississippi

Abstract

Abstract Beaver (Castor canadensis) damage to nonimpounded timber was investigated in selected stands of merchantable timber located in six major physiographic regions of Mississippi. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) was the woody species most used by beaver throughout Mississippi. Values of beaver-damaged merchantable timber ranged from $63.43 to $291.50 per acre; median loss was $164.71 per acre. Of all stems damaged, 72% were girdled, while 28% were felled. Nearly 79% of all stems felled were less than 3 inches dbh and 95% of all stems felled were less than 10 inches dbh.