-Jason Darling-

Woodlot Management for a Productive Sugar Bush

Planning for the future of your sugar bush.Forest Health.Pests and Diseases.Competition.

Deer.Herbaceous Vegetation.

Woodlot management.Thinning Practices.Increased Yields.

Overview

Questions that drive your management tactics…

How long has your woodlot been managed in the past?

Will your tradition be carried on to the next generation?

Do you want to manage for timber production?

What kind of road system do you have?

Planning for the Future

Vigorous growing & disease free trees.Stable soil conditions.Buffer watersheds and riparian zones.Resistance to wind damage.DIVERSITY

Resistance to various pests and diseases. Attractive to various wildlife species.Some dead standing trees and woody debris on

the ground.Maintain a component of as many tree species as

your site will support.

What Defines a Healthy Forest?

Verticillium Wilt – Also called maple wilt, this fungus is a common and serious problem that can kill trees. This infection starts in the root system and works its way up the maple tree, resulting in cankers and dieback. Signs of maple wilt include scorched-looking leaves and diseased branches with unhealthy leaves. Occasionally olive-colored streaks can be found in the sapwood.

Cause – Fungus found in soil. Tree becomes stressed and may be infected. Treatment – Hard to treat. Remove infected portions of the tree. Some chemical

application. Not typically life threatening. Remove trees if thinning woodlot

Forest Health Concerns

Anthracnose – This disease results in extensive defoliation, shoot dieback, and twig death. Often confused with frost damage, signs of anthracnose include brown areas on leaves, canker on the trunk and main branches, and purplish-brown areas along the veins of the leaves.

Cause – Extended periods of cool and wet conditions as leaves are emerging in the spring

Treatment – Some chemical application. Not typically life threatening. Remove trees if thinning woodlot.

Forest Health Concerns

Forest Health Concerns Tar Spot – This disease

affects several maple species and causes large, tar-like spots on the leaves.

Asian Longhorned Beetle – This insect damages the sapwood beneath the bark layer, preventing the tree from properly transporting nutrients and water. Once a tree has an Asian longhorned beetle infestation, it will generally die within 1 to 2 years.

http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/common_diseases_of_maples.pdf

CompetitionDeer

Deer browsing can significantly reduce the stocking levels and survival of your regenerating Maple stand.

Control MethodsReduce deer

population.Fencing. $$$$$Large canopy openings

for vigorous growth.

Herbaceous VegetationDominate a site that has been thinned too

aggressively. Grass – Raspberry/Blackberry – Garlic

Mustard.Inhibits adequate regeneration. Control Methods:

Keep tree stocking levels high to shade out the competition. Herbicide applications.

Competition

Garlic Mustard

Why manage your woodlot?Healthy Trees = Productive Trees.Increase Canopy Size = Higher Yields of Sap.Remove diseased and poorly formed trees.Encourage regeneration for future sap

production.

Woodlot Management

Single Tree SelectionRemoves scattered large

diameter, large canopy & over-mature trees.

Declining in health, vigor and productivity.

Trees do not heal tap wounds quickly.

Most are hollow. (loss of vacuum)

Release growing space for future generations of maple trees.

Woodlot Management

Crop Tree Management & Understory ThinningWhat is a Crop Tree?

A crop tree is a well formed, disease free and vigorous growing tree. This tree will be the future of your woodlot.

Woodlot Management

Diseased trees.Poorly formed trees.Canopy competition.Water & sunlight

competition.Reduces stocking levels to

encourage growth on residual timber.

Undesirable tree species.

Woodlot ManagementCrop Tree Management & Understory

ThinningUnderstory thinning removes:

Cautions:Do not thin the woodlot too aggressively.

Sun scorch – Wind damage – Poor Form – Grass Competition

Maintain stable soil conditions. Winter logging is best to reduce rutting and soil

damage.

Thinning to release a crop tree may take multiple treatments.

Woodlot Management

Get in the field and manage your woodlot

to its fullest potential!!

Questions & Comments?

Jason Darling 517-243-2000Jason@DarlingForestry.comwww.DarlingForestry.com