Thesis - University of Vermont



Integrating Sustainability into Forest Management Planning

of the University of Vermont’s

Jericho Research Forest,

Jericho, VT.

A Project

By: Katherine Ann Forrer

In partial fulfillment of

a Master’s of Science Degree in Forestry

University of Vermont

Presented April 4, 2005

To

Deane Wang

Cecilia Danks

William Keeton

Joshua Farely

John Shane

Abstract

For over 60 years, the University of Vermont has owned and managed a 365-acre mosaic of exotic coniferous plantations, northern hardwoods, and floodplain forest at the Jericho Research Forest (JRF), in Jericho, Vermont. As the Rubenstein School for the Environment and Natural Resources responds to a growing trend toward sustainable forestry and forest certification, the University lacks both an updated framework and a written plan for long-term management. The first goal of this project was to conduct a baseline forest inventory and a collaborative inventory of current uses and values associated with the forest. Secondly, drawing from management plans from examples of four University-owned and managed forests, the project identified several key elements to the management planning process. Through synthesizing examples of how other institutions integrate a sustainable approach to the challenge of management planning, the project develops a framework through which the University can assimilate the multifaceted concept of sustainability into updating JRFs’ forest-management planning process.

Table of Contents

Prologue iv

Introduction vii

A concept of sustainable forest management viii

Document Framework x

Chapter I: An Inventory and Assessment of Current Vegetation 2

Introduction 2

Location 3

Biophysical Region 3

Landscape Context 4

Physical Features 6

Bedrock Geology 6

Surficial Geology 7

Topography 8

Soils 8

Soil Descriptions 9

An Overview of the Physical Features Layer 13

Cultural Legacy and Land Use History 13

Land Use and Acquisition History 14

University Acquisition and Land Use History 16

An Overview of the Cultural Legacy and Land Use History Layer 17

The Current vegetative communities 18

Inventory Methods 18

Sampling Design 18

Data Collection 19

Data Analysis 22

Compartment Descriptions 23

Compartment 1 23

Compartment 2 34

Compartment 3 40

Compartment 4 47

Compartment 5 55

Compartment 6 60

Compartment 7 70

Compartment 8 78

Compartment 9 86

Compartment 10 98

Compartment 11 112

Compartment 12 123

Compartment 13 133

Forest as a Whole

Composition 145

Structure 148

Density 151

General Management Recommendations 153

Chapter II: Predicting Potential Future Vegetative Communities: An Assessment of Natural Communities 156

Introduction 156

Natural Communities: A Concept 156

Methods 157

Natural Community Descriptions 158

Upland Natural Communities 158

Wetland Natural Communities 160

Management Considerations Based on Potential Vegetative Communities 164

Chapter III: Mapping the Uses and Values of the Jericho Research Forest: An Exercise in RSENR Community Mapping 166

Introduction 166

The concept of community mapping 167

Methods 167

Current USES 168

Educational Uses 168

Research Uses 169

Other Uses 170

Values 170

Ecological Values 170

Other Values 171

General themes 171

Visions for the Future of the Jericho Research Forest 172

Chapter IV: Leading by Example: Implementation of Sustainable Forest Management by Educational Institution 173

Introduction 173

The Evolution of the A Concept 173

Capitalization of Resources 175

Sustained-Yield 175

Multiple-Use Management 176

Multiresource Forest Management 177

Ecosystem Management 178

Environmentally Sensitive, Multiple Use Management 180

Ecosystem-Based Approaches to Resource Management 180

Ecoregional Management 180

Assessing Sustainable Forest Management 180

National Scale 181

Forest Level 181

Becoming an Example: University Owned Forest Management Planning Processes 182

Definition of Management Paradigms 183

Management Structure 184

Definition of Management Goals and Objectives 184

Scoping of the Forest 185

Documentation of Management Plan 185

Strategy for Monitoring and Adaptive Management 186

Lessons for the University of Vermont’s Jericho Research Forest 186

Prologue

From the entrance gate off Tarbox Road, in Jericho Vermont, there appears to be nothing exceptional about the Jericho Research Forest. Yet leave the main entrance road and wander off into the woods, and you will see what separates this forest from any other in Vermont, possibly the northeast. A mosaic of native northern hardwood stands, 1940’s and 50’s exotic coniferous plantations, and streamside wetlands, the forest itself is a living museum of natural and land use history. Where these two histories collide, ponderosa pine intermingles with red maples and paper birch, Japanese larch tower over sugar maple and white ash, and Douglas fir competes with eastern white pine and eastern hemlock for dominance in the canopy. Encompassing ± 365 acres, this forest has been owned and managed by the University of Vermont for over 60 years. The patchwork of plantations and native hardwood pays tribute to the waves of early 1900’s agricultural entrepreneurs, scientific research, and academic interests pursued within its barbwire boundaries, as well as the ecological processes tied to the topography, hydrology, bedrock and soils.

It is the beginning of July, I have come to the research forest faithfully for a month now, conducting a baseline inventory of the forest to understand the story of this complex ecosystem. The data that I am collecting will be used to update the University’s understanding of how to balance human needs for knowledge and products with the ecological processes of the forest ecosystem. Beyond the basic questions of what kinds of trees grow where, how big they are, or how well they are growing, I am gathering information on how each component of the forest interacts, from the bedrock to the canopy, to the wildlife it supports, to the products it produces. Fundamental to the concept of sustainable management is the understanding the local ecology. By slicing through the components of the JRF forest, my inventory seeks to identify the major ecological processes that guide this forest. Addressing questions of what is present and why, the overall goal of my work is to determine in a broad stroke, what processes must be sustained in this forest.

Looking up through the layers of the canopy, estimating percent cover of each stratum, the trees and the herbaceous plants tell the story of this forest. The sound of snapping twigs and crunching leaves ricochets off the hemlock slope ahead, as I pace to my next plot. Only the red squirrels seem threatened by my presence, as they scold at me from their perches and scurry up and down the stem of nearby trees. I stop among tall, straight white ash and sugar maple. Measuring the percent canopy cover, the diameters of these trees, the quality of their stems, their presence suggests that this well-drained sandy soil is enriched, either by moisture or by nutrients. Moving down the canopy layers, I come to the herbaceous layer in this plot. Noting the abundance of wild ginger, trillium and jack-in the pulpit, I take the pH of the soil. It is 5.5, relatively high for this nutrient poor fine sandy soil. Pacing to my next plot within this stand, I pass scattered large boulders. Only the glaciers could have moved these tremendous rocks here, thousands of years ago. Originating from the calcareous bedrock of the Champlain Valley to the northwest, these rocks provide important clues to why we see the vegetation that we see here. The theme of enrichment is mirrored a week later, across the forest, in a stand along Mill Brook. Black ash growing along a sedge meadow tells the story of abundant moisture, while blue cohosh growing in its shade suggests that the continual flooding of this meadow brings with it an abundance of nutrients to the soil. By slicing through the layers of this forest, the inventory exposes and informs the University about the ecological processes happening within this forest.

Tied to these processes is a rich history of human use throughout this forest. Pacing east, past the stand of sugar maple and white ash, I pass through a stand of Japanese Larch. The high canopy rises above red maple, sugar maple and ironwood poles. Hardwood saplings compete vigorously under the canopy, as if they are unaware that these overstory species prove little threat of regeneration. In fact, looking around, it seems this forest, so heavily altered by humanity, is reclaiming itself. Continuing east, I climb the ridge through towering white pine and contorted Scots pine. Looking across the steep slope, the pines sway in the late afternoon winds. The presence of this Scots pine plantation tells the story of wind blown sandy soils, erosion and slope restoration. Yet, the white pine, scattered throughout this plantation suggests more to the story. On the far side of the ridge, I stop to do a plot in the shadows of a wolf pine pierced with remnant strands of barbwire. A familiar sight to most New Englanders, this forest was cleared during the early 1900’s for agriculture. Counting seedlings and saplings within the understory plot, an abundance of red oak and white pine suggest these species are reclaiming their native rights in this sandy soil.

The definition of sustainable management for this forest is hidden in the interactions between the vegetation and the soil that nourishes it. Unfolding the clues of the natural and land use history of the JRF offers a profound reminder of what this forest once was, long before it was cleared for agricultural land, and long before it was obtained by the University, and given time, what it has the ecological potential to become. Protecting the forest capacity for self renewal, is a mere sampling of the processes that must be sustained during management of this forest. Understanding the story of how, through natural and land use history, this forest has developed offers insight into how the University can better manage this forest to meet the multitude of uses and values associated with the Jericho Research Forest.

The sun shines through the canopy lighting up the green carpet of herbaceous plants; the late afternoon brings with it a red-tailed hawk screeching as it navigates through the trees of the canopy. It is August, my inventory is complete, but like leaving a good friend, I am not ready to move on. There is so much more this forest has to tell, so much more it has to teach. I stroll along the wood roads one more time, searching for one more chapter to its story. Driving down the dirt road through the gates, past the entrance signs, I realize that the final story of this forest, the final process that must be sustained here, perhaps is not ecological at all, nor is it something that can in and of itself can be inventoried. It is entangled in all the lessons it has taught me this summer, all the stories it has told me. The final process occurring throughout this forest is education itself, by the waves of UVM students and faculty that have come to understand the ecological processes of the forested landscape, through the lens of the Jericho Research Forest.

Introduction

The Rubenstein School of the Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) and the University of Vermont (UVM) are at an important and timely turning point in the process of integrating the concept of sustainability into both their educational curriculum and land stewardship. Responding to a growing trend among land managers towards the implementation of sustainable forestry, RSENR is committed to promoting the concept of sustainability as outlined in the following mission statement:[1]:

The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources seeks to cultivate an appreciation and enhanced understanding of ecological and social processes and values aimed at maintaining the integrity of natural systems and achieving a sustainable human community in harmony with the natural environment.

Although RSENR has made great progress towards assimilating the idea of sustainability into its multi-disciplinary curriculum, the school is in the early stages of expanding its commitment to include management of the University’s, 365-acre, Jericho Research Forest. Owned and managed by the University for over sixty years, through the auspices of the RSENR, the Jericho Research Forest presents an important opportunity for the implementation and demonstration of sustainable forest management. However, as the school considers the incorporation of sustainable forestry into management at the Research Forest it faces several challenges. First, the integration of the concept of sustainability necessitates an assessment of both the human needs and ecological capacity of the Research Forest. Secondly, the integration of sustainable management at the Jericho Research Forest requires both an updated framework for management planning and an updated management plan. In order to address these challenges, this project seeks to facilitate the process of integrating sustainable forestry into management planning process for the Jericho Research Forest.

To promote the School’s progress, this project has four objectives:

• To assess the current vegetative communities of the Research Forest

• To assess potential future vegetative communities through natural community mapping

• To assess RSENR Faculty current uses and values, associated with the Research Forest

• To examine and draw from management planning processes employed by other University-owned research forests that practice sustainable forestry, in order to develop a potential framework for integrating sustainable forest management into future JRF management planning

Through addressing several of the fundamental components of management planning this document seeks to inform the development of a comprehensive management planning process and written plan for the Jericho Research Forest. Furthermore, the document aims to provide a set of tools for advancing the realization of sustainable forest management at the Research Forest. In order to understand what sustainable forest management might look like at JRF, it is useful to first examine the concept of sustainable forest management and second, determine what conceptual models exist for guiding sustainable management.

A concept of sustainable forest management

For the purpose of providing some clarity, sustainable forestry and sustainable forest management, though often used interchangeably, are two different concepts. Although, trying to distinguish between the two terms can be challenging, the National Report on Sustainabilty, (USFS 2003), turns to the Dictionary of Forestry (Helms 1998), which offers this description of sustainable forestry:

“….the capacity of forests, ranging from stands to ecoregions, to maintain their health, productivity, diversity, and overall integrity, in the long run, in the context of human activity and use.”

In comparison, the report states (UFFS 2003) that the Dictionary of Forestry (Helms 1998) offers two definitions of sustainable forest management, including the following definition and a second definition which incorporates the seven criteria from the Montreal Process:

“The practice of meeting the forest resource needs and values of the present without compromising the similar capability of future generations – note sustainable forest management involves practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates the reforestation, managing, growing, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air and water quality, wildlife and fish habitat, and aesthetics.”

An evolving concept, sustainable forest management is rooted in the notion that the forest can be managed for both ecological processes and human-valued products. The crux of sustainable forest management is the interplay between what is biologically and physically possible in the long term and what is desired by society (Bormann et al. 1994). As a set of values, sustainable forest management has evolved from the traditional idea of sustained yield and integrates resource extraction with how well a forest maintains its native flora and fauna over time, and continues to provide natural functions in the larger forest landscape (Noss, 1993).

In addition to ecological viability and social desirability, Salwasser et al. (1993), adds economic feasibility to the criteria for a sustainable solution. However, managers need to be clear as to what values they want to sustain. For example, Noss (1993) suggests that sustaining wood products is a very different goal than sustaining nutrient cycling. The growing diversity in management goals and objectives combined with our expanding understanding of forest ecosystem dynamics creates a necessity for managers to develop and tailor silvicultural treatments in the context of site-specific knowledge (Kohm and Franklin 1997).

The practice of sustainable forest management is experimental in nature (Noss 1993). Through monitoring and assessing social and ecological conditions over time, Noss (1993) proposes that tracking progress towards management goals is paramount to the idea of sustainability. One model for assessing ecological changes is using quantifiable indicators, or attributes of species, habitat or ecological processes that correspond to local ecosystems and management goals (Noss 1993). Indicators used through the framework of managing for biodiversity include composition, structure, and function at various scales (Noss 1990). Integrating monitoring with adaptive management is essential to tracking progress towards management objectives.

The idea of adaptive management is rooted in the realization that there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the implementation of sustainable forestry. Through creating quantifiable indicators, for assessing the relative success of management objectives, managers can make necessary adjustments and updates to the management planning and implementation process. Drawing from Walters (1986), Noss (2003) suggests that implementation of sustainable forestry is an experiment, and therefore must remain flexible and adaptive.

One model for characterizing sustainable resource management is certification (Vogt et al. 2000). While there are many different types of certification and certifying bodies, the Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC) provides one system for assessing sustainable forest management. As RSENR furthers its commitment to implementing sustainable forest management at the Jericho Research Forest, certification is being explored as a possible endpoint. Although this project does not focus on certification, there is a strong parallel between the goals of this project and the requirements for FSC certification. For example, one of the ten FSC certification guidelines is the development and implementation of a management-planning document. Due to the complexities of uses and values associated with university-owned forests, this project only serves to inform the management planning process and provides an important step in the path towards potential FSC certification.

Document Framework

The overall organization of this document is centered around the project objectives. The chapters are presented as layers of the Jericho Research Forest landscape. Each chapter builds upon the previous, like a layered cake, to provide a comprehensive assessment of the Jericho Research Forest. The first chapter presents the physical features, cultural legacy and ecological foundation on which sustainable management of the Research Forest should be based. Next, building on the interactions between the physical features and current vegetative communities, the second chapter assesses potential future vegetative communities, through identifying and delineating potential natural communities across the landscape. The third chapter, an assessment of the current uses and values associated with the Research Forest, builds on the current and natural community vegetative layer, and describes a complex mosaic of human needs and desires across the Research Forest landscape. The document culminates by drawing from four case studies and proposes several key elements of the management planning process, which the School must addresses, in order to integrate sustainability into the School’s management planning process for the Jericho Research Forest.

Chapter I: An Inventory and Assessment of Current Vegetation

Introduction

The 365 acre Jericho Research Forest (JRF) is home to a diversity of vegetative communities including, exotic and native coniferous plantations, northern hardwood forests, hemlock ravines, ephemeral drainages, and streamside wetland communities. These communities are predominantly rooted in glacial lake and delta deposited sands, on top of schists and greywacke bedrock formations. A long history of human land use has shaped the composition and age structure of the forest, resulting in a predominantly even aged to two aged forest of pole size to large mature sawtimber. Ranging from a dense northern hardwood forest to a Class 2 open riparian wetland, these vegetative communities provide a variety of ecological functions, natural resources and potential wildlife habitats.

In order to understand and manage for these various functions and potential resources, this chapter has two goals. First, this chapter seeks to explore the influences of the physical features and land use history on the current vegetative communities, and secondly it describes the composition, structure, and patterns of each community across the Research Forest landscape. This assessment provides a snapshot in time through which future vegetative changes can be observed and measured, and by which current management decisions can be informed.

The chapter opens with a description of the physical and climatic setting of the Research Forest, including its location, its place in the overall biophysical regions of Vermont, and its role in the greater Jericho town landscape. Next, the chapter examines three layers of the local Research Forest landscape, from the bedrock to the canopy. Each layer, though spatially separate, interacts to influence the composition and arrangement of current vegetative communities across the forest. Beginning from the ground up, the chapter explores the bedrock formations, surficial deposits, topography and soils on which the forest grows. The second layer though often not as apparent as the physical features is the natural and cultural history which has shaped the current vegetation of the Jericho Research Forest. Lastly, the third and final layer is the vegetation itself. Through describing and summarizing the composition, structure and distribution of current vegetation in each compartment by stand, this section combine the physical features, past land use and management histories with an analysis of the current vegetative community. The chapter culminates with an overview of the composition, structure and density of the Research Forest as a whole and general management recommendations based on the findings of this assessment.

By examining the location, the biophysical region, the landscape context, the influences of geology, soils, and land use history, this chapter aims to provide an integrated assessment of the current state forest. Understanding the current condition of the forest landscape will aid in the development and adaptation of management activities based on site-specific knowledge, furthering the University’s understanding of sustainable management for the Jericho Research Forest.

Location

For the purpose of clarity, the Jericho Research Forest must be geographically defined. In this report, the area referred to as the Jericho Research Forest is defined as the original, 1941, 365 acre (148 ha), property owned and managed by the University of Vermont. Although an additional 128 acre (52 ha) parcel, known as the Rogers Tract, bordering the Research Forest to the south, was donated to the University in 1999, it was not considered during this assessment.

The Jericho Research Forest is located in the southwestern corner of the town of Jericho, Vermont, in Chittenden County (Map 1). Approximately 10 miles (16 km) directly east of the University of Vermont, in Burlington, Vermont, the property lies south of the 44.5° North-South parallel and straddles the 73° East-West parallel. The 365 acre (148 ha) parcel is situated on a hilltop plateau, rising to 820 feet (250 m), overlooking the Winooski River, within a patch of contiguous forestland bounded by Route 116 to the south and south west, Barbara Farm Road to the west and Governor Peck Road to the east. Access to the Research Forest is provided on Tarbox Road, a gravel town road that slices through the northern extent of the property.

Biophysical Region

In order to understand the vegetative communities of the Research Forest, we must first explore the environment in which it exists. The state of Vermont is divided into eight biophysical regions based on variations in climate, geological history, landforms and soils. (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). The Jericho Research Forest is situated in the Champlain Valley biophysical region, along the transition zone between the lowlands of the Winooski River Valley and the foothills of the Northern Green Mountains (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Protected by the Green Mountains to the northeast, and influenced by the lowlands of the Winooski River to the south, the climate of the area is mild. In 2003, average mean high/low summer temperatures for the adjacent town of Essex were 69.7/47.5 degrees Fahrenheit (20.9/8.6 degrees Celsius) and average mean high/low winter temperatures were 34.0/13.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1/-10.4 degrees Celsius)[2]. Average annual precipitation in the town of Essex was 42.9 inches (106.7 cm), slightly above the Champlain Valley average of 38 inches (97 cm) in the foothills and well below the Green Mountains average annual precipitation of 72 inches (183 cm). The Jericho Research Forest benefits from the warming influences of the Champlain Valley, known as “the banana belt” which provides an acceptable growing climate for many species, which are found in their northern extent of their range, such as bitternut hickory, and numerous planted species.

Landscape Context

In assessing the vegetative and wildlife communities of the Jericho Research Forest, it is essential to consider the surrounding town level landscape. The town of Jericho is composed of a patchwork of deciduous and mixed cover forests, open uplands, scattered with areas of developed land, open wetlands and forested wetlands (Map 2). A collage of open agricultural land, forested land, and residential areas, the town of Jericho reflects the increasing pressures of land fragmentation and human residential development facing Chittenden County, and the Northeast in general.

There are several parcels of conserved land in the town of Jericho (Map3). Directly bordering the Research Forest to the south is the afore-mentioned 128 acre (52 ha) parcel acquired by the University in 1999, known as the Rogers Tract. A relatively new acquisition, this parcel serves as important addition to contiguous forestland surrounding the original Research Forest. Bordering the Research Forest to the northeast, the Mobbs Farm, is a 250 acre (101 ha) forested parcel owned by the town of Jericho. A popular recreational area, there are several unmarked and non-maintained trails that traverse the town parcel, including a trail that connects through to the recreational trails along Mill Brook in Compartment 13. Additionally, the Mobbs Farm parcel encompasses a small portion of the Class 2 wetland network along Mill Brook, adjacent to and up stream of the Research Forest (Map 4). In conjunction, these three parcels provide a 728 acre (295 ha) area of undeveloped land, which may serve important habitat and ecological functions on the landscape.

Extending far into the eastern corner of the town, the Ethan Allen Firing range, owned and managed by the Vermont Department of Military, provides an additional large parcel of contiguous forested cover in the town landscape. To the north of the Ethan Allen Firing range, is Mills Riverside Park, a small privately owned parcel with conservation restrictions, including a wildlife habitat area and a riparian buffer zone. In addition, there are two additional small privately owned parcels in the town, one with conservation restrictions held by the Winooski Valley District and the other a conservation easement held by the Vermont Land Trust.

Identifying conserved lands across the town landscape is important in thinking about the role of the Jericho Research Forest in the greater Jericho wildlife communities, especially those with long ranges, including moose, deer, bear, coyotes, and an array of migratory birds. Existing within a larger patchwork of agricultural lands and forests, the Research Forest provides an important diversity of wildlife habitat potential and potentially may serve as a corridor between the Winooski River and the foothills to the Green Mountains for many species. One species that may be using the town landscape as a corridor is the black bear. The Vermont Biodiveristy Project (VBP) has mapped two bear sites just outside the town of Jericho, and evidence of bear tree markings was observed in the Research Forest, during the 2004 inventory. In addition, there are several state mapped deer yards throughout the town of Jericho, including a 370 acre (150 ha) deer yard overlapping the southwest boundary of the Research Forest (Map 4 ). Located in a patch of mixed, coniferous and deciduous forest cover, the Jericho Research contributes a significant component of coniferous forest cover, an important deer wintering habitat to the town landscape (Map 4).

The combination of a contiguous mixed, hardwood and coniferous forest cover, and the physical location of the property, spanning from the plateau above the Winooski, to the foothills of the Green Mountains, makes this property an important component to the town of Jericho and Champlain valley biophysical region landscape.

Physical Features

In addition to the influences of climate, the abiotic, non-living pieces of the landscape strongly shaped the patterns of vegetation communities across the landscape. Physical features such as bedrock geology, surficial geology, soil formation and topography have effectively determined the distribution and composition of vegetation and animal species throughout the region. The arrangement of bedrock, surficial deposits and types of soils has also profoundly affected and limited management objectives and operations of the Research Forest. Through understanding the dynamic relationship between abiotic and biotic features at both the local and the landscape level, we can better understand the patterns of vegetation and inform management goals of the Research Forest.

Bedrock Geology

The bedrock of the Jericho Research Forest is composed of some of the oldest rock, laid down during the Cambrian and Ordovician time, over 500 million years ago. Metamorphosed during the Green Mountain high peaks building events of the Taconic Orogeny and Acadian Orogeny, approximately 300 million years ago, the bedrock immediately underlying the Research Forest is made of up of predominantly greywacke and schists formations. Two formations divide the property and are identified as the Pinnacle Formation and the Underhill Formation (Map 5).

The Pinnacle Formation is a described as greywacke schist. Graywacke schist is made up of dark gray, coarse-grained sandstone that consists of poorly sorted grains of quartz and feldspar, with a variety albite, sericite, biotite and chloritic minerals. Adjacent to the Pinnacle Formation, to the east, is the Underhill Formation. Similarly, the Underhill Formation is pale, silver to green and is made up of coarse-grained sandstone composed of locally, poorly sorted grains of quartz. Several minerals found in this schist include sericite, albite and chlorite.

Generally, both of these rock formations are non-calcareous and relatively low in other important plant nutrients. Furthermore, both types of bedrock are often acidic and produce slightly acidic soil, providing little to no nutrient enrichment to the soil where exposed to the surface (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Although the bedrock formation under the Jericho Research Forest has had an important ecological influence on the plant communities, the affect of huge amounts of sediments carried into the region during glaciation may conceal much of this influence.

Surficial Geology

Perhaps the most influential piece of geological history, at the Research Forest, is the retreat of the Laurnetide Ice Sheet during the late Wisconsin Era Glaciations. As the glacier retreated 10,000 years ago, it left in its wake numerous glacial lakes throughout Vermont, including Lake Vermont, Lake Mansfield. One theory, as suggested by Stephen Wright[3], is that as the glacier retreated over the current location of the Research Forest, it formed an ice damn with Lake Mansfield. As the ice melted, water tunnels began to develop under the glacier. These tunnels acted as streams at the base of the glacier, pouring out sandy sediment into the delta of Lake Mansfield. In fact, the surficial geology of JRF consists of predominately-littoral sand sediment, smaller patches of fluvial gravel and lake bottom sediment along Mill brook (Map 6).

In addition to the sandy deltaic deposits, a layer of glacial till can be found along the eastern boundary of the Research Forest. The till was deposited during the same glaciation event and is distinguish as medium to large boulders. One explanation for the presence of larger deposited material at the Research Forest is that as the glacier retreated and formed a damn with Lake Mansfield, it slowed and deposited larger material in its wake, carrying the smaller particle sandy sediment until it reached the glacial lake delta. The presence of glacially deposited materials is ecologically significant because it contains characteristics from the bedrock in which is was formed and in many cases provides the formation of the soils (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Based on the presumed north-south movement of the glaciers, the glacial till formed at the Research Forest is probably derived from the calcareous bedrock of the Champlain Valley.

Interestingly, throughout JRF, the pH of the soil ranges from 4.5 to 7.5. Since the bedrock is generally acidic, glacial activity may be responsible for localize soil enrichment. As the glacier approached from the northwest, it carried with it calcareous rocks, such as dolomites and limestones from the Champlain Valley. As the glacier retreated, it deposited this nutrient rich material, predominantly in the form of boulders. However, since most of JRF’s surficial geology is sand sediment, it suggests that there might be more to this story. One theory is that the breaking down of calcareous rocks within the glacier formed the sand that was being poured out through the glacial tunnel into Lake Mansfield delta, the current location of the Research Forest. Therefore, the sandy soil found across the Research Forest, may be slightly calcareous. This phenomenon may explain the presence of the diversity of plant species observed across the Research Forest.

In addition, the advance and retreat of the glaciers greatly altered the topography of the landscape. Scraping across the landscape, the glaciers carved out valleys and steep slopes creating the rolling topography common along the eastern boundary of the Champlain Valley biophysical region.

Topography

The topography of the landscape has been strongly impacted by the mountain building events of the Taconic Orogeny and the advancement of glaciers 3 million years ago, as evidenced by postglacial lake and streams sandy terraces and deltas, steep slopes, bedrock outcrops, and streamside lowlands (Map 7). Rising from 400 feet in elevation at the southwestern corner to over 800 feet along the eastern ridge, the Research Forest is defined by a diversity of landforms. Steep drainages running east-west across the Research Forest provide localized variability in topography and may have been carved out as glacial streams running under the glacier, into Lake Mansfield. Slopes ranging from zero to over 45% dictate the steepness of the terrain. In addition, orientation of the slopes across the forest spans in each cardinal direction, contributing to the presence of many microclimates, which shape the vegetative communities. Furthermore, this diversity of landform features strongly influences the development and drainage of soils found across the Research Forest, which has in turn shaped the human story of land use potential and limitations across the forest.

Soils

Bedrock, surficial deposits and topographic features located across the Research Forest provide the parent material and the microclimate from which the soils are derived. In turn, the soil provides the substrate in which plants grow. Through identifying and characterizing the types and properties of soils, such as nutrient and water retention, slope and texture, we can understand and potentially predict the distribution of communities in the forest (Map 8). In addition, knowing the limitations of each soil type is essential in management operations. Derived from glacial lake sediments, the soils are predominately sand to sandy loam, with some patches of silty to rocky loam. In general, these soils are well suited for woodland.

Soil Descriptions

Classifications of the soils are based on the Soil Conservation Service’s 1989 digitized Chittenden County Soil Survey GIS layer. Soil descriptions are summarized from the 1989 Chittenden County soil survey and soil capability classification and woodland suitability classifications are provided at the end of each soil description. To verify soil classification, limited ground-truthing was conducted during the 2004 forest inventory. In addition, pH was recorded periodically in plots during the inventory and when available has been included in the description.

Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 0 to 60% slopes (AdA, AdB, AdD and AdE)

This consists of deep, loose, excessively well-drained soils that are sandy throughout. The sand is usually deeper than four feet, although wind and water erosion can occur. This soil is predominately a well-aerated, porous soil with moderately low available moisture and low natural fertility. Soils with 0-5% slope (AdA) have very slow surface runoff, slight hazard of erosion by soil blowing, are excessively well-drained, level to gently sloping with severe limitations on moisture availability (class IIIs-1), slight equipment limitations, slight windthrow hazard and fair potential productivity for commercial timber (4s1). Soils with 5-12% slope (AdB) have slow soil surface runoff, slight water and wind erosion hazard prevent soil blowing and water erosion, very severe limitations of moisture availability (class IVs-1) and similar woodland limitations as AdA (4s1). Ph for this soil was measured at 5.0. Soils with 12 to 30% slope (AdD) are highly susceptible to soil blowing and water erosion steepness, have medium soil surface runoff, are unsuitable for cultivation due to low moisture availability and rockiness (class VIs-1), and have moderate limitations on equipment operability (4s2) Ph for this soil ranged from 4.5 to 5.5. Lastly, soils with 30 to 60% (AdE) have rapid surface runoff, are very susceptible to wind blow and water erosion hazard is very severe (VIIs-2). Use of logging equipment is severely limited (4s3). The pH for this soil type ranged from 4.0 to 6.0.

Colton Gravely Loamy Sand 12 to 60% slope (CoC and CsE)

This consists of deep, loose, excessively well-drained soils that are gravelly throughout. Formed in water deposited materials on terraces, this soil contains a high content of quartz, schist and phyllite. Bright colors and lack of mottling suggest that this soil is well aerated and porous. With low moisture availability and very low natural fertility, it is very permeable. Soils with 12 to 20% slope (CoC) have medium surface runoff, however use is severely limited by low available moisture capacity, especially when steepness is a consideration (VIs-1). Equipment operability is moderately limited (4s2). Soils with 30 to 60% slope (CsE) have rapid surface runoff, and steep slope makes operating equipment on these soils hazardous. Erosion hazard is very severe in unvegetated areas and soil is severly limited by rocks, stones and low available moisture capacity (VIIs-2). Use of logging equipment is severely limited (4s3). The pH for tis soil type ranged from 5.5 to 6.0.

Duane and Deerfield Soils 0 to 5% and 12 to 20% slope (DdA and DdC)

In this series, Duane and Deerfield soils are mapped together although Deerfield soils are more prevalent at lower altitudes, such as those found at the Research Forest. This soil consists of deep, loose, moderately well-drained soils that are level to steep, and sandy throughout. Formed by water laid deposits, on sandy deltas, beaches and stream terraces, this soil contains a high content of quartz and schists. These soils are very permeable and porous, and available moisture capacity is moderately low with very low natural fertility. Only a few mottles exist in the upper layers, suggesting it is not frequently wet. Soils with zero to 5% slope (DdA) have slow surface runoff with slight hazard of erosion and soil blowing is hazardous on unvegetated sites. These soils are slightly limited where surface texture and wetness are considerations (IIIw-3). Use of logging equipment is slightly limited (4o3). Soils with 12 to 20% slopes (DdC) have rapid surface runoff and severe hazard of water erosion and soil blowing where unvegetated (IVe-6). This soil is severely limited where steepness and wetness are considerations; however, use of logging equipment is slightly limited (4r5). The pH for this soil type was measured at 5.5.

Hartland very Fine Sandy Loam 6 to 25% slope (HIC, HID)

Formed in water laid or wind laid deposits of silt loam or very fine sandy loam, this soil is deep, well-drained, aerated and has a high natural fertility. The available moisture capacity of this soil is moderately high. Soils with 6 to 12% slopes (HIC) have medium surface runoff and moderate hazard of water erosion. (IIIe-4) (3r2) Soils with 12 to 25% slope (HID) rapid surface runoff and severe water erosion where unvegetated. This soil has severe limitations due to the potential for erosion, where steepness is a consideration (IVe-2). Use of logging equipment is moderately limited (3r5). The pH for this soil type was measured at 4.5.

Limerick Silt Loam 0 to 3% slope (Le)

This soil formed in silt loam and very fine sandy loams, is deep, poorly drained and loamy throughout. This soil is flooded annually, has high natural fertility and has a high available moisture capacity. Surface runoff is very slow and water erosion hazard is very slight. This soil is limited where flooding is a consideration (IIIw-2). Use of logging equipment is severely limited (4w3). The pH for this soil type ranged from 5.5 to 7.5.

Lyman-Marlow Series very rocky loam 30 to 60% slope (LyE)

Lyman-Marlow soils are composed of two soil series the Lyman and the Marlow Series. However, due to the degree to which they intermingled, they are mapped together. These soils are very rocky, very steep, excessively well-drained and rock outcrops are common. Derived from glacial till, these soils are well aerated and have moderately low water availability. These soils occur in moderately deep drainages to shallow to bedrock and have very rapid surface runoff. In vegetated areas, water erosion is slight; however, soil limitations occur due to steepness, shallowness to bedrock, slow permeability and bedrock outcrops (VIs-1). Use of logging equipment is severely limited (4x4). The pH for this soil type ranged from 4.5 to 5.5.

Munson and Raynham silt loam 2 to 6% slope (MyC)

This consists of deep, somewhat poorly drained soils that were formed on glacial lake plains and terraces, by thin deposits of loamy and clayey material. It has a high natural fertility and available moisture capacity. Although water erosion hazard is only slight, surface runoff is medium. This soil has several limitations, especially when wetness, permeability and texture are considerations (IIIw-1). Use of logging equipment is moderately limited (4w5).

Peru Extremely Stony Loam 0 to 60% slope (PsC and PsE)

This consists of soils that are deep, extremely stony, well-drained and loamy throughout. Formed in glacial till, this soil is derived from quartzite, phyllite and schistose. The natural fertility is low and the available moisture capacity is medium. Surface runoff is slow to rapid, and hazard of water erosion is slight. This soil has severe limitations, especially for those which wetness, stoniness, steepness and slow permeability are considerations (VIIs-2). Use of logging equipment is moderately limited (3x1).

Scantic Silt Loam 2 to 6% slope(ScB)

Formed in glacial lake deposits of loamy material over clayey material, this soil is deep poorly drained, and has a high natural fertility. The available moisture capacity is moderately high and permeability is moderately slow. Surface runoff is slow and water erosion hazard is slight. Limitations for this soil are based on wetness (IVw-3). Use of logging equipment is severely limited (5w1). The pH of this soil type was measured at 6.5

Terrace Escarpments Silty and Clayey 25 to 60% slope (TeE)

One of the unique features about this soil is the presence of more than one texture within a vertical section. This soil is deep with silt loam or very fine sandy loam overlying clayey material and is very limited due to steepness and possible sliding when saturated with water. The main management concern associated with this soil type is to maintain vegetation, in order to prevent slides.

Winooski Fine Sandy Loam (Wo)

Occurring predominantly on the floodplain of streams, this soil is deep, moderately well-drained and loamy throughout. These soils have a high natural fertility, and a high available moisture capacity. The erosion hazard of this soil is severe where unvegetated and susceptible to frequent flooding. Equipment operability is slightly limited especially when wetness and flooding are considerations (IIw-1). Use of logging equipment is slightly limited (3o1).

An Overview of the Physical Features Layer

Through identifying the physical environment, the bedrock geology, the surficial deposits, the topography and the soils, we can begin to understand the patterns across the forested landscape. A diversity of rich site herbaceous and woody plants growing on top of glacial till in the upland forests and the abundance of eastern white pine and northern red oak growing along the dry, rocky ridges signify numerous interactions between the physical environment and the distribution of plants. The physical setting is the backdrop in which these relationships occur across the Research Forest, not only shaping where plants grow, but where human land use activities have been allowed to occur.

Cultural Legacy and Land Use History

Since glaciation, humans have had a profound impact on the forested landscape throughout most of Vermont. In fact, by the 1850’s, European settlers had cleared 70% to 75% of Vermont’s forests, through logging and agricultural land use (Johnson 1998). Although the Jericho Research Forest is located on excessively well-drained, slightly acidic sandy soils, glacial till deposits and rocky outcrops, it was no exception to the influx of agriculture and timber harvesting. For over two hundred years, the landscape of the modern day Jericho Research Forest has been heavily altered by agricultural and forest management land use. The cultural legacy of the Research Forest is documented both in the form of oral and written histories of the owners of the land, and in the form of vegetation patterns across the forest. Old barbwire fence strung through remnant wolf pines, on the hill overlooking the farmhouse, tell the story of pastured land, while anonymous hand written histories in the filing cabinet in the field office add details as to who was farming it. Drawing from these different forms of cultural history of the property, the following is an interpretation of the post-European settlement history of the JRF property.

Land Use and Acquisition History[4]

One of the first settlers to arrive in the town of Jericho was John Thompson, Sr., in 1790. Arriving from of Alstead, New Hampshire, Thompson settled on the modern day Research Forest property, hereby referred to as the farm, and built a log house below the current location of the farmhouse. Reportedly, shortly after settling on the land, one moonlight night, he set out stakes in line with the North Star, in order to build his farmhouse squarely with the bearings of a compass[5]. The original farmhouse, built predominantly out of northern red oak and white pine still stands today. Taking advantage of the abundance of sawtimber in the area, Thompson built several sawmills throughout the town of Jericho. He worked the rocky, infertile sandy soils largely as a subsistence farm, though later created a small dairy operation. He also planted two large orchards in the area, one that is recorded to have had 999 apple trees[6]. In 1817, at the age of seventy-three, Thompson set out for Ohio to live out the remainder of his life with his daughter. Driving a team of oxen and leading a cow, he survived on rusk[7] and milk throughout the journey, and was accompanied by one of his sons, Jesse for the start of the trip. When the two men parted ways, Thompson told his son of the papers, in a brace of the barn, which deeded the farm to him, Jesse.

Upon returning to the farm, Jesse was married and remained on the farm with his wife and twelve children. It is reported that Jesse Thompson Sr., (for he named one of his sons Jesse), sold a great deal of the standing pine timber on the farm to Bradley and Follett, a sawmill on the Onion River, for $8,000. In addition, Jesse maintained the orchards planted by his father, producing large quantities of cider (up to 200 barrels), and running a cider brandy distillery on the farm. In addition, although Jesse continued the dairy operation started by his father, the rocky, excessively well-drained sandy soils yielded little potential for agricultural crops, and were further rendered infertile by over grazing of cattle.

In fact, by the 1840’s, many hillside farmers throughout Vermont were transitioning into wool production, as the pasturing of sheep was better suited to the rocky, often infertile hillside soils. The shift away from cattle operations and plowing was augmented by a booming national wool market. When Corey Thompson, son of Jesse, sold the farm to Cyrus and Sylvester Tarbox in 1851, the farm joined in the agricultural shift, probably taking advantage of the 1849 arrival of Railway to nearby towns like Essex and Richmond, VT, traveling from White River Junction to Burlington, VT[8].

Although Sylvester died on the farm in 1879, his brother lived on the farm and continued farming it for fifty years. The Tarbox family, for which the road is named, transitioned the farm into better-suited sheep production. Although a majority of the farm was pastured, the remainder of the area was managed as a farm woodlot. A piece of barbwire potentially identified as Buckthorn fencing was found along Tarbox Road, in Compartment 12, suggesting that the Tarbox family pasture sheep across Tarbox Road in relatively flat to gentle sloping areas of Compartment 12. This type of barbwire fencing, a steel ribbon, was patented in 1881, and became obsolete by 1900’s, due to the high cost of production. This type of barbwire was especially popular with sheep farmers, because its width made it easily visible and broad barb did not catch on wool (McCallum 1965).

The 1900’s saw a massive regional abandonment of farms, due to the a sharp decline in wool market, the promise of no rocks, flat ground, and fertile agricultural lands to the Midwest, and the rise of more lucrative industrial jobs in the cities (Johnson 1998). Not surprisingly, the Tarbox family sold the farm in 1900 to Thomas Reeves, who apparently did not farm the land. In 1906, Reeves sold the farm to the Burnaham family. For a period of eighteen years, the farm was owned by the Burnaham Family. There is little recorded regarding the land use during this period, though, many of the fields and pastures cleared in the early 1800’s where most likely developing into young forests. In 1922, John Bashaw bought the farm and continued to farm it as cropland and pasture, though young hardwoods and pine had at this point reclaimed much of the original open farmland. The bulk of Bashaw’s crops were planted below the farmhouse, in Compartments 5 and 6, though sections of the wetland along Mill Brook were also cultivated (Map 4).

By 1937, the infertile sandy soils, which had supported the farm, were depleted due to years of overgrazing and wind and water erosion. In an unsuccessful attempt to maintain the property as a productive farm, and during the establishment of the Winooski Valley Conservation Project, the Soil Conservation Corp worked with the Bashaw family to develop a cropland, pasture and woodlot management plan in 1937 (Map 9). As a result of the plan, several changes were made to the farmland, in order to improve soil productivity and stabilize the wind blown sandy soils. These changes included a Scotts pine, red pine and black locust plantation and contour digging, along the steep western facing slopes of Compartment 8. However, by 1939, the sandy loamy soils of the Research Forest were depleted by almost one hundred fifty years of cattle, then sheep grazing, cultivation and crop production (Table 1). The farm was reported unproductive, despite the attempts, abandoned and was sold back to Thomas Reeves.

Figure 1. Chain of Title and Land Use for the UVM Jericho Research Forest

|Date |Name |Land Use |

|1790-1817 |John Thompson |Subsistence farm, timber, apple orchard and |

| | |milk production |

|1817-1851 |Jesse Thompson (son of John) |Timber, apple cider, and milk production |

|1851-1900 |Tarbox Brothers |Pastured sheep and cattle |

|1900-1906 |Thomas Reeves |Largely unknown, potential agriculture, |

| | |pasturing and timber |

|1906-1922 |Burnaham |Largely unknown, potential agriculture, timber |

|1922-1939 |John Bashaw |Pastured sheep and cows, strip crops, grasses |

| | |and legumes for hay and various cultivated |

| | |land, soil stabilization plantations |

|1939-1941 |Thomas Reeves |Soil stabilization management |

|1941 (March 29) to present |University of Vermont |Experimental, research and education forest |

University Acquisition and Land Use History

In 1941, the City of Burlington bought the farm from Thomas Reeves. During the pre-World War II period, the city of Burlington acquired the farm property to compensate the relocation of the University of Vermont Research Forest from its location at that time in Winooski to the town of Jericho. The relocation was fueled by the need expand the Burlington Airport for National Defense reasons. In the land swap deal, the City of Burlington agreed to a $15,000 renovation project to remodel and improve the original farmhouse, construct a field laboratory, small sawmill and timber treating plant, and charcoal kiln.[9] In addition, in 1941, sixty-five acres were planted to white, red, Scots, Austrian, ponderosa pines, European and Japanese larch, Douglas fir and other exotic species in order to continue investigations on conifer and hardwood plantations, and investigate the management of unproductive, abandoned farmland. By the 1969, the long-term research in these plantations ended, due to a shift in the overall federal funding philosophy of the federal government, moving away from the Continuous Forest Inventory, favoring short-term research projects.

Today research and education continues to constitute a large portion of land use activities of the Jericho Research Forest. Over the last thirty years, the Research Forest has been used as an outdoor classroom for many courses, including forest pathology, silviculture, forest ecology, dendrology, forest fire behavior and management, forest certification and natural history and field ecology. Furthermore, the property serves as a resource to countless other courses. In addition, long term research projects ranging from forest pathological disease to using silvicultural techniques to promote structural complexity and the development of old growth forest characteristics, continue to be conducted on the property.

An Overview of the Cultural Legacy and Land Use History Layer

The arrival of agriculture in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, was arguably just as influential in shaping the diversity and distribution of vegetation across the Research Forest. Today, essentially a two-aged forest, the Jericho Research Forest is still recovering from the effects of agricultural land clearing. Large eastern white pine loom in the canopy of old pasture land are gradually being replaced by northern hardwoods and eastern hemlock. The planting of exotic species, too, has had a profound effect on the composition and structure of many vegetative communities. While most of these species are not regenerating, poor quality stem growth, low market value, and sparse regeneration will continue to challenge management of the Research Forest.

The Current vegetative communities

The Jericho Research Forest is organized into thirteen anthropocentrically delineated management compartments (Map 10). An internal network of woods roads provide access and define the boundaries of these compartments, and have greatly influenced management activities. However, in several cases the composition of forest cover in these compartments is not homogenous. As a result, in this section, each compartment is further divided into stands, or areas of similar compositional, structural and management attributes (Map 11). Furthermore, it is important to note, that in some cases there is a small area of overlap, generally less than five acres, between the stand boundary and the compartment boundary. Although many stands throughout the property are of the general northern hardwood type, differing physical features, soils and past management activities have influenced the composition enough to dictate the designation of separate stands. This section serves as an analysis of the current vegetation based on a baseline inventory.

Inventory Methods

During the summer of 2004, a baseline forest inventory was conducted on the original 365 acre (148 ha) Jericho Research Forest. The purpose of the inventory was to collect information on the composition and structure of the forest in order to inform future management. The following is a description of the sampling procedure and variables observed. All data collected in the inventory were collected in English measurement units, however metric units are provided in parenthesis.

Sampling Design

Sampling was double stratified by compartment and by coarse delineation of stands based on a 1999 orthophoto of the parcel. Stands were delineated into three general categories hardwood, softwood and mixed wood. Sampling intensity was set at one plot every three acres (one hectare) based on limitations of time and resources. A 50 meter by 50 meter grid was overlaid on the stand boundary map using GIS and plots were systematically located at grid intersections using a random number start. The number of plots in each stand was assigned based on acreage. A total of 118 plots were systematically, randomly located, throughout the 365 acres (148 ha), excluding 5 acres (2 ha) around the house and facilities. An additional four plots were sampled in areas of ecological and management significance, not identified during the original coarse stand boundary mapping. These four plots include, two small red pine plantations in Compartment 6 and Compartment 9, the quaking aspen stand straddling Compartments 4 and 5, and the floodplain forest in Compartment 13.

All random plots were located by pacing out the required distance. Two main grid lines were flagged running east west and north south through the forest, and used initially to locate plots. Once an initial plot was located within a stand, pacing from the plots center was used to locate the next plot. A global positioning unit (GPS) was consulted periodically to verify approximate location, and collect coordinates for each plot.

Data Collection

At each plot, general site descriptive information was collected including Vermont state plane GPS coordinates, percent slope, aspect, stand cover type, and plot cover type. Soil pH was sampled in each stand, at regular intervals. In addition, an ocular estimate of canopy closure class and mid-story closure class was recorded. Midstory canopy cover was collected from plots with an estimated 25% or more canopy cover, and a cover type (deciduous, coniferous or mixed) was recorded (Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Categorical variables and recorded values measured in the canopy.

|Type of Observation |Recorded Values |

|Canopy Closure |0-25% |

| |26-50% |

| |51-75% |

| |76-100% |

|Midstory Closure |0-25% |

| |26-50% |

| |51-75% |

| |76-100% |

|Midstory Cover Type (if greater than 25% cover) |Deciduous |

| |Coniferous |

| |Mixed |

Overstory

Trees were sampled in a variable radius plot, using a 10-factor prism. All trees over 1 inch in diameter at breast height (DBH) were counted. For each sample tree, species, diameter at breast height (DBH), tree condition, quality, grade, log height, log defect, crown class, crown condition, and presence of cavities were all recorded (Figure 3). Variables were collected and recorded in accordance with NED-1, the US Forest Service software package, Northeast Decision Model (NED).

Figure 3. Categorical variables and recorded values measured in the overstory plot.

|Type of Observation |Recorded Values |

|Species |For a list of species codes see Appendix_. |

|Diameter at Breast Height |By 1 inch size class |

|Living |Dead |

| |Alive |

|Quality |AGS= Acceptable Growing Stock |

| |UGS= Unacceptable Growing Stock |

|Grade[10] |1=Veneer |

| |2=Sawlog |

| |3= Pulpwood |

| |6= Firewood |

| |8= Cull |

|Log Height |1= 16 feet |

| |1.5= 24 feet |

| |2=32 feet |

| |2.5= 40 feet |

| |3=48 feet |

|Log Defect |By percent area of stem with a defect |

|Cavity |Y= Present |

| |N=Absent |

|Crown Class |D=Dominant |

| |CO= Codominant |

| |I= Intermediate |

| |S= Suppressed |

|Crown Condition |By relative percent present |

Understory

The understory was sampled in two 1/1000 of an acre (1 m radius) fixed radius circle subplots located ten feet (3 m) from the plot center to the east (90 degree azimuth) and to the west (270 degree azimuth). All species under 10 feet (3 m) in the subplot were identified and assigned a layer, ground (< 3feet (1 m) or shrub (3 feet to 10 feet, (1 m to 3 m). An ocular estimate of percent cover for all herbaceous and spore dispersed vascular plants was recorded. All woody species, regardless of height, were recorded as a stem count.

Habitat Features

Information on potential habitat features was recorded at each plot, including the absence or presence of high exposed perches, low exposed perches, soft mast, hard mast, inclusions, slash, road, seeps, vernal pools, rock piles, and/or rock crevices.

Coarse Woody Debris

Coarse woody debris was measured in each plot along a 6o foot (18m) transect at a 55 degree azimuth from the plot center. All downed woody debris lying across the transect, over 5 inches in diameter (13 cm) and longer than 3 feet (1 m) were measured according to diameter, condition and bark (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Categorical variables and recorded values measured in coarse woody debris.

|Type of Observation |Recorded Values |

|Diameter |5-7 inches |

| |8-10 inches |

| |11-13 inches |

| |14 to 16 inches |

| |16 to 18 inches |

| |over 19 inches |

|Condition |Hard |

| |Soft |

|Bark |Present |

| |Absent |

Site Index

Site index was measured in a dominant or codominant tree in each stand. A measurement of forest site quality, the variable is based on the height of the tree, measured using a clinometer, and the age of the tree, measured with a tree corer. Site indexes reported in this assessment are based on the site index curves in the United Forest Service General Technical Report NC-128 (Carmean et al. 1989).

Data Analysis

All data was entered into and analyzed using NED-1, Northeast Decision Model (NED), the US Forest Service software package. Data was analyzed in order to obtain measurements on the composition, structure, density and volume of each stand, including number of stems per acre, basal area, percent basal area by species and mean stand diameter, as defined by the diameter of the tree of average basal area average. The analysis of each stand is summarized in the following compartment descriptions.

Compartment Descriptions

Compartment 1

General Description

Approximately 40 acres (16 ha) in size, Compartment 1 is composed of northern hardwoods and eastern hemlock. Three stands are arranged across the compartment including, a sugar maple stand, a beech-sugar maple stand and a hemlock stand. Some of the most variable topography in the Research Forest defines the vegetative patterns across this compartment. Hardwood stands occupy the upper to middle slope, with a western aspect, while eastern hemlock dominates the steeper lower slopes, with an eastern aspect. Slopes throughout the compartment fluctuate, ranging from 5% to 45%. The steepest slopes can be found along drainage basins running east-west, which feed a small stream that runs north-south through the compartment. Along the western side of the stream is some of the steepest terrain in the compartment, ranging from 30% to 45%. Situated on the graywacke bedrock and sandy sediment deposited by the glaciers, this compartment is dominated by excessively well-drained, Adams and Windsor Sandy Loam soils, which provide little nutrients to the vegetation. Where signs of enrichment are present, the steep slopes combined with concavities across the incline have allowed for the downslope movement and accumulation of nutrients. Signs of this process are found throughout the compartment in the form of patches of dense herbaceous understory and the presence of sugar maple, white ash and basswood, which prefer deep, moist, rich soils. Along the tops of drainages where the soil is shallower and lower in fertility eastern hemlock, red maple and American beech dominate. Mapped as woodland in the 1939 SCS land use map, probably due to the steepness and rockiness of the terrain, the forest in the compartment is essentially two-aged, with an 8 acre, uneven aged sugar maple stand in the north. The elevation of the compartment ranges from 560 feet (171 m) in the southwest corner to 400 feet (122 m) in a drainage, along the western boundary. To the north and to the east, this compartment is bordered by a well maintain woods road that is currently being used and maintained by VAST as a snowmobile trail.

Overall Past Management Objectives

Past management goals of this compartment include, promoting high quality hardwood saw timber, while maintaining stream quality and protecting the riparian area, along both the stream and drainages. The northern top of the compartment is a high conservation value area and is currently being managed as a natural area. Due to the topographic variability in this compartment, there are no internal roads. The steep drainage basins break up the compartment, posing severe limitations to access for several areas within this compartment. Additional past management considerations include a recreational trail, known as the yellow trail that loops through the southern end of the compartment, and a flume installed for sub-watershed stream discharge monitoring. Furthermore, management in this compartment is limited by the presence of a state delineated deer yard, across the south-west corner.

Past Management Activities

|2003 |Summer- Single tree selection, commercial thinning in a combined harvest with Compartment 11 in Beech-Sugar Maple |

| |stand (white ash (8.28 MBF) and other hardwoods removed). |

|1980 |Harvest of sawtimber and firewood |

|1980 |Planting of black walnut, due to failure of first planting, 140 trees planted, representing 13 provenances, planted on |

| |0.3 acres. |

|1979 |Harvest of sawtimber and firewood |

Stand: Sugar Maple

General Description

Located at the northern tip of Compartment 1, this stand is composed of northern hardwoods. The dominant species of this stand, by basal area, are sugar maple (30%), white ash (22%), northern red oak (14%), red maple (10%) and American basswood (9%). Paper birch, yellow birch, eastern white pine, eastern hemlock, American beech and striped maple make up the remaining basal area. A mature stand of high quality hardwood, growing on nutrient poor, excessively well-drained soils, the dominance of sugar maple and white ash suggest some localized enrichment, either by nutrients or by moisture. The source of this enrichment may be colluvial, a potential calcareous component to the glacially deposited sand, or simply a high content of organic matter. Furthermore, glacial erratics, or large boulders deposited by the retreat of the glaciers may be providing some enrichment to this stand. This stand contains some of the oldest trees in the Research Forest ranging from 90 to 130 years. As a result, this stand is unique in that it is essentially a two-aged stand in the process of converting towards an uneven aged structure. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 126 feet²/acre (30 m²/ha). There are 724 stems/ac (1788 stems/ha), with a diameter of the tree of average basal area of 6 inches (16 cm). Advanced regeneration of commercially valuable species includes sugar maple, eastern hemlock, white ash and yellow birch. The lack of recent human interference with the compositional and structural development of this stand as allowed for the natural progression of tip and mound topography. Local topography is further defined by several small ephemeral drainages running east- west through the stand.

|Size: 8 acres (3 ha) |Number of Plots: 4 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12 to 60% slope (mostly AdE|Forest Type: Sugar Maple (SAF #27) |

|with small patches of AdD) | |

|Site Index: 70 (BAS) |Age Structure: Two-Aged converting to Uneven Age |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

The last entry into this stand was approximately 1918. Therefore, past management of this stand is focused on promoting it as an example of post agricultural land use, northern hardwood forest exhibiting characteristics of old-growth. As a result, this stand has been informally managed as a high value conservation area for research and education purposes.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The structural heterogeneity of this stand provides for a variety of potential wildlife habitat features. Both live and dead cavity trees, and high and low perches were observed in this stand. The canopy cover class is 51% to 75% and the deciduous midstory canopy averages 76% to 100%. Soft mast is sparse, although partridgeberry (1% cover) was observed. Northern red oak offers an important source of hard masts are found within this stand (13 stems/ac, 33 stems/ha). A volume of 1958 cu.ft/ac (137 cu.m/ha) of coarse woody debris was observed. The following is table of the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class

|Diameter Class |Hard without Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |3 |1 |

|8 to 10 inches |2 |4 |

|11 to 13 inches |2 |1 |

Pest Condition

Signs and symptoms of beech bark disease, both the scale insect Cryptococcus fagi and the fungus Nectria coccinea var faginata is present on American beech in this stand. Although some stems appear unaffected by the disease.

Special Features

This stand consists of some of the largest and oldest hardwoods found in the Research Forest. The combined presence of sugar maple, white ash and several understory herbaceous species, including trillium, jack in the pulpit and Indian cucumber root suggests that this stand has slightly enriched soil. This slight enrichment may be a feature of nutrient accumulation in depressions in the topography, or may be an indication of a calcareous component to the sandy soil, as discussed in the surficial geology section.

Potential Management Opportunities

Given additional time to mature, the remnant two-age structure will continue to progress towards an uneven age structure. Legacy medium to large sawtimber such as sugar maple, northern red oak and white ash provide an important seed source for future regeneration in the stand, as well as current habitat for many species. Intermediate shade tolerant species such as sugar maple, white ash, eastern hemlock and yellow birch already provide a commercially valuable regeneration cohort in this stand. Due to the absence of recent human manipulation, this stand offers a great deal of educational and research opportunity. Management of this stand should consider the potential values of maintaining this area as an example of a post agricultural land use northern hardwood forest.

Stand: Beech-Sugar Maple

General Description

Located along the eastern boundary of Compartment 1, this northern hardwood stand is situated on sandy loam, deposited by the glaciers, which is low in fertility and excessively well-drained. The dominant species of this stand, by basal area, include American beech (29%), sugar maple (26%) and red maple (23%). Although American beech and red maple are generally more adapted to nutrient poor growing conditions, the abundance of sugar maple may suggest localized enrichment either by nutrient accumulation or by moisture. Eastern hemlock, northern red oak, white ash, paper birch, American basswood, paper birch, eastern white pine, and quaking aspen are minor components of this stand. The stand structure is characterized as a remnant single aged large diameter cohort with a developing small diameter cohort. The stand age ranges from 60 to 90 years. The basal area of acceptable growing stock in this stand is 109 feet²/acre (25 m²/ha). There are 308 stems/ac (760 stems/ha) with a diameter of the tree of average basal area of 9 inches (22 cm). Advanced regeneration of commercially valuable species in this stand is dominated by American beech and eastern hemlock, with pole size red maple and sugar maple. Although most of the stand topography is level to slightly sloping, several small steep drainages run east through this stand creating slopes of 30% to 45%.

|Size: 15 acres (6 ha) |Number of Plots: 7 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12 to 60% slope (mostly AdE |Forest Type: American beech-sugar maple (SAF # 60) |

|with patches of AdD) | |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

The past management objective of this stand has focused on improving the species composition and stem quality for sawtimber production through single tree and group selections. However, a lack of internal roads has limited management activities. Some research activities has been conducted in this stand including a 1971 and 1980 small plantation of black walnut. Although the seedling survival rate was low, there is a small patch of pole size black walnut. The planting is located directly west of the aspen wildlife clearcut in Compartment 4 and 5, bordering the main woods road. In addition, the western half of the stand is mapped as a state delineated deer yard, therefore management activities have been somewhat limited to maintaining and/or promoting the viability of deer wintering habitat[11]. The most recent silvicultural treatment in this stand was in 2003. The harvest was combined in a commercial thinning, with Compartment 11. Northern red oak, sugar maple, black cherry, poplar, red maple, white birch and American beech were harvested, although white ash was the only species specifically harvested from this compartment (8.28 MBF).

Wildlife Habitat Potential

This stand is structurally diverse with a canopy closure class of 51% to 75%, a midstory canopy class of 76% to 100% cover. The shrub cover is patchy, ranging from zero to 60%, averaging 17% and ground layer cover ranges from zero to 20%. The midstory cover and shrub layer are predominately deciduous, although there are some patches of coniferous cover. Live and dead cavity trees are present, as well as high and low perches. Hard mast is comprised of American beech (109.6 stems/ac, 270.8 stems/ha) and northern red oak (2.0 stems/ac, 4.9 stems/ha). Partridgeberry, observed at 1% to 5% cover offers a source of soft mast in this stand. The volume of coarse woody debris is 829.1 cubic feet per acre (58.0 cu.m/ha). The following is a table of the number of observations in each diameter class and decay stage.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |4 |0 |4 |4 |

|8 to 10 inches |3 |0 |1 |0 |

|14 to 16 inches |0 |1 |0 |0 |

Pest Condition

Beech bark disease, both the scale insect Cryptococcus fagi and the fungus Nectria coccinea var faginata, is widely present in this stand and has killed many of the large diameter beeches. Currently, this pest has the potential to adversely affect much of the beech growing stock.

Special Features

Several herbaceous species found in the understory of this stand indicate that there is some nutrient enrichment. These include white baneberry, wild ginger, Dutchman’s breeches, trillium, jack-in the pulpit, and Indian cucumber root. Again, as with the sugar maple stand, this enrichment may be due to nutrient accumulation, or it may indicate a calcareous origin to the sandy soil. In the southern end of this stand, there is a small basin where the stream begins, predominantly fed through surface runoff or possibly a groundwater seep, and flows north through the adjacent hemlock stand. The steep drainages throughout this stand act as feeder streams. Steep terrain limits management activities along these drainages.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is densely stocked with a strong component of commercially valuable sugar maple, red maple and white ash small sawtimber. Future growth and development of this cohort may be limited due to the density of stems. In the larger size classes, there is a component of residual medium to large diameter sugar maple, northern red oak and red maple. These large diameter trees provide an important potential seed source for regeneration. Advanced regeneration in this stand is limited to shade intolerant species of low commercial value, such as American beech and eastern hemlock. An important management consideration in this stand is the predominance of American beech regeneration, due to the heavy infestation of beech bark disease. Although American beech provide important habitat features, future development of this species in this stand may be limited due to the pathogen.

Stand: Eastern Hemlock

General Description

Located along the western boundary of Compartment 1, this stand is dominated by eastern hemlock. Growing on excessively well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy loamy soils, the dominant species of this stand, by basal area, are eastern hemlock (45%), American beech (16%), red maple (16%) and northern red oak (11%). Sugar maple, striped maple, paper birch, big tooth aspen and yellow birch make up the remaining percent of basal area and are minor components of this stand. Stand age structure is essentially two-aged. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 138 ft²/ac (32 stems/ha). There are 686 stems/ac (1696 stems/ha), with a diameter of the tree of average basal area of 6 inches (16 cm). Advanced regeneration of commercially valuable species in this stand is comprised of eastern hemlock, American beech and red maple. The topography of this stand is relatively level to gently sloping along the western border, with steep slopes of 25% to 30% along the stream.

|Size: 15 acres (6 ha) |Number of Plots: 4 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 30 to 60% slope (AdE ) |Forest Type: Eastern hemlock (SAF #23) |

|Site Index: 60 (EH) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management in this stand is aimed at improving species composition and quality for sawtimber, through single tree and small group selection cuts, and protecting the ecological integrity of the small ephemeral stream. Additional management concerns include protecting the viability of the southern extent of this stand as a state delineated deer wintering area[12]. The most recent harvest in this stand was in 2003. During the combination commercial thinning, mostly hardwoods were harvested, although a small area of hemlock was thinned.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

With a hemlock canopy cover class of 76% to 90%, and a mixed hardwood canopy cover of 51 to 75%, this stand has the potential to serve as a deer wintering area. In fact, the stand borders a state delineated deer yard. The shrub cover is deciduous at 10% to 15%, with some patches of coniferous cover (75%), dominated by hemlock saplings. Ground cover ranges from zero to 50%, averaging 10% to 25%. In addition, other wildlife habitat features in this stand include, a small ephemeral stream, high and low perches, and live and dead cavity trees. Hard mast available in this stand includes northern red oak (12 stems/ac, 30 stems/ha) and American beech (188 stems/ac, 464 stems/ha). Soft mast in this stand is composed of partridgeberry (1% cover). The volume of coarse woody debris observed in this stand was 364 cu ft/ac (25 cu.m/ha). The following table is the number of observation in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |1 |1 |2 |0 |

|8 to 10 inches |0 |0 |0 |1 |

Pest Condition

Light to moderate deer browse on eastern hemlock and sugar maple saplings was noted during the inventory.

Special Features

Access to the western portion of this stand is limited due to the stream and steepness of the terrain. In addition, the steepness of the slope bordering the stream limits management activities in this area.

Potential Management Opportunities

This is in the early stages of converting to a two-aged stand. There is a strong component of eastern hemlock and American beech sapling regeneration in this stand, which is otherwise, dominated by eastern hemlock, American beech and red maple poles to small sawtimber. The dominance of eastern hemlock in the canopy, midstory canopy and understory offers important current and future potential deer wintering habitat. Future management must consider the habitat value of this stand as a deer wintering habitat and the lack of intermediate shade tolerant, commercially valuable regeneration.

Compartment 2

General Description

Dominated by native conifers, Compartment 2 is approximately 24 acres (10 ha) in size. This compartment rises above the Winooski River flat to a sandy terrace deposited by the retreat of the glacier. Composed of two stands, an eastern hemlock stand, and a mixed white pine-hemlock stand, the compartment is situated on Adams and Windsor sandy loam, with a patch of Hartland very fine sandy loam. This water laid, well-drained to excessively well-drained soil is especially prone to rapid surface runoff on steep slopes, such as those found in this compartment. Steep drainage basins provide surface runoff and groundwater to a stream that runs east west through the southwestern corner of the compartment. Dominated by eastern hemlock at an elevation of 380 feet (116 m) along the steep drainages, the compartment gradually fades into an eastern white pine-hemlock stand at 440 feet (134 m) to 500 feet (152 m). A combination of steep slopes, and well-drained sandy soils, creates low nutrient and moisture availability to vegetation growing in this compartment. In general, there is a western aspect to the terrain and slopes range from 5% to 35%. Two woods roads border the compartment to the north and east. In addition, an old skid road exists in the northern end, running east-west along relatively level terrain.

Overall Past Management Objectives

In the past, management goals for this compartment focused on promoting high quality hardwood, hemlock and white pine saw timber, while maintaining stream quality and protecting the riparian area, along the stream and steep ephemeral drainages. Due to the steepness and variability of terrain in this compartment, several areas are inaccessible. Additional management considerations include a maintaining the viability of a state delineated deer wintering area.

Past Management Activities

|2000 |Summer- partial load of hemlock (360 BF) |

|2000 |Summer- partial load of chipwood in combined harvest with Compartments 9,10 and 11 |

|1991 |Summer- white pine pulpwood in combined harvest with Compartments 6,8,10,11,12 |

|1981 |Firewood removal |

|1980 |Combined Compartments timber harvest of hardwood and firewood removal |

|1979 |Combined compartment timber harvest hardwood, softwood and firewood removed |

Stand: Eastern Hemlock

General Description

Located in the southwestern corner of Compartment 2, this stand is dominated by eastern hemlock, with a small component of northern hardwoods. Eastern hemlock (59%) is the dominant species of this stand, by basal area, although American beech (17%) and red maple (13%) are present. Northern red oak, sugar maple, white pine, paper birch, yellow birch and big tooth aspen are minor components of this stand. Situated on sandy, excessively well-drained, steep sloping terraces, management in this stand has been limited, allowing for the development of essentially two-age classes and fair to high quality sawtimber. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 177 stems/ac (438 stems/ha). There are 384 stems/ ac (948 stems/ha) with a diameter of the tree of average basal area of 10 in (25 cm). Advanced regeneration of commercially valuable species is predominately eastern hemlock. The topography of this stand is characterized by steep drainage basins, with rapid surface runoff, which flow into several small streams that merge and exit the compartment through the southwest corner. Typical slopes throughout the stand range from 30% to 45%.

|Size: ±14.4 acres (5.832 ha) |Number of Plots: 7 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 30% to 60% slope (AdE) |Forest Type: Eastern hemlock (SAF#23) |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has been limited by the steep topography. However, where access is possible, management has focused on improving stem quality and composition of hardwoods and hemlock for production of high quality sawtimber. Additionally, management has aimed to maintain the viability of the stand as a deer wintering area. The last entry into this stand was in 2000. The harvest was a commercial thinning, removing 3.60 MBF (0.224964cu m/ha) of eastern hemlock.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

With a canopy closure class of 76% to 100%, and a patchy midstory canopy cover of mixed hardwoods and softwoods ranging from zero to 50%, the dominance of hemlock in the canopy, and understory offer potential high quality deer wintering habitat. The structural diversity of this stand also offers additional habitat features including, live and dead cavity trees, high and low perches. Soft mast in this stand is comprised of low bush blueberry (1% cover) and partridgeberry (1% cover). Northern red oak (5 stems/ac, 11 stems/ha) provides an important source of hard mast. A volume of 1305 cu ft/ac (91 cu.m/ha) of coarse woody debris was observed in this stand. The following table is the number of coarse woody debris observation by diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |2 |0 |3 |4 |

|8 to 10 inches |1 |1 |0 |1 |

|11 to 13 inches |2 |0 |0 |0 |

|14 to 16 inches |0 |0 |1 |0 |

|17 to 19 inches |0 |0 |1 |0 |

Pest Condition

No pests were observed in this stand during inventory.

Special Features

This stand consists of some of the steepest ravines found in the Research Forest. The presence of blue cohosh and large leaved trillium in the herbaceous understory, suggests that there may be slight enrichment to this soil. Due to the naturally low fertility of the soil, this enrichment is probably due to the colluvial processes, or downslope movement of nutrients, common in steep sloping ravines, such as found in this stand.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is essentially a two-aged stand in the process of converting into an uneven age stand with a strong presence of eastern hemlock in both the regeneration and small to medium saw timber size classes. Although this stand is densely stocked, the abundance of eastern hemlock in the canopy, midstory canopy and understory offers important current and future potential deer wintering habitat. In addition to eastern hemlock, there is a strong component of American beech and red maple intermixed with a small component of northern red oak, in the small to medium saw timber class. Future management must consider the habitat value of this stand as a deer wintering habitat. In addition, the lack of intermediate shade tolerant or commercially valuable regeneration may be of important management consideration.

Stand: Eastern White Pine-Hemlock

General Description

Situated along the eastern boundary of Compartment 2, this stand is composed of eastern white pine (41%), eastern hemlock (28%), red maple (25%) and American beech (6%), by basal area. Although eastern white pine dominates the large to medium sized trees in the canopy, there is a strong component of eastern hemlock and red maple in the small sawtimber size class. An uneven aged stand of mature, high quality pine, the basal area of acceptable growing stock is 135 stems/ac (334 stems/ha). There are 430 stems/ac (1063 stems/ha) and the diameter of the tree of average basal area is 6 in (15 cm). Advanced regeneration of commercially valuable species is predominately eastern hemlock. The topography of this stand is level to gently sloping with a 5% slope and western aspect. Most of this stand is located on top of excessively well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy loam, with low fertility. However, there is a small area of Hartland very Fine sandy loam, along the eastern boundary of the stand, which is often slightly richer in plant nutrients and moisture. However, no evidence of soil enrichment was observed during the inventory. In addition, the northern boundary of this stand slightly overlaps with the Beech-Sugar Maple stand in Compartment 1.

|Size: 9 acres (4 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 30% to 60% slope (AdE) and |Forest Type: Eastern white pine-hemlock (SAF#22) |

|Hartland very Fine Sandy Loam 12% to 25% slope (HID) along the | |

|eastern boundary of the stand | |

|Site Index: 70 (EWP) |Age Structure: Two-Aged converting to uneven age |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management objectives for this stand is include improving stem quality and growth of hardwoods and white pine for sawtimber production, through commercial thinning, single tree and group selection cuts. The last entry into this stand was 1991, during a combined pine pulpwood harvest with Compartments 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12. The harvest was a commercial thinning of white pine aimed at removing poor quality stems.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The spatial and structural diversity of this stand provides for a variety of potential wildlife habitat features. The canopy closure class varies, ranging from 26% to 75%. Midstory canopy closure class was observed in the 26% to 50% and 76% to 100% classes respectively and is predominately coniferous, with some patches of deciduous canopy. Shrub layer cover is predominantly coniferous and patchy, ranging from zero cover to 40% cover. Ground cover is sparse, ranging from 5% to 10% cover, although coverage up to 25% was observed. Habitat features include, live and dead cavity trees, high and low perches. Soft mast is this stand is comprised of low bush blueberry (1% cover) and partridgeberry (1% cover). The volume of coarse woody debris was measured at 1182 cu.ft./ac (83 cu.m/ha). The following table is the number of observations made in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |1 |0 |2 |4 |

|8 to 10 inches |0 |0 |1 |0 |

Pest Condition

No signs of pests or pathogens were observed in this stand, during the inventory.

Special Features

None observed.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand, essentially a two-aged stand in the process of converting to an uneven aged stand. Densely stocked with eastern hemlock and American beech regeneration and pole sized stems, this stand structure is enhanced by a strong presence of medium to large white pine sawtimber. The abundance shade tolerant American beech and eastern hemlock regeneration may be an important management consideration, if future sawtimber production is a management goal. However, the dominance of softwood in the canopy and understory offer important potential deer wintering habitat and should be considered.

Compartment 3

General Description

Compartment 3 is approximately 39 acres (16 ha) in size. Known as the “Farm Woodlot,” this compartment was part of the original farm woodlot and until 1937, it was heavily grazed by livestock. Since 1948, it has been managed as a “typical” farm woodlot. The compartment is composed of two stands, a larger matrix stand of eastern white pine and a small hill top stand of northern red oak. Situated on a mosaic of glacially deposited sands, namely Adams and Windsor sandy loam and Lyman-Marlow very rocky loam, the topography of the compartment can be divided into three general areas. In west to southwest, located on excessively well-drained, Adams and Windsor soils with a band of rocky Lyman-Marlow soils, the topography gently slopes at a 5 to 10% slope, with a western aspect. The elevation rises from 540 ft (164.7 m) to 620 ft (189.1 m). This area has historically been referred to as the “Lower Farm Woodlot.” In the northern most section, the topography is level, with slopes ranging from zero to 5%. The southeastern corner rises steadily to 720 feet (219.6 m) on a patch of shallow to bedrock Lyman-Marlow soils. To the north and east this compartment is bordered by well maintained woods roads.

Overall Past Management Objectives

Past management of this compartment has focused on improving the productive capacity of the forest, and promoting high quality trees for future sawtimber production. In addition, management in this compartment has aimed at promoting the regeneration of red oak and white pine. Additional management considerations include wildlife habitat, especially in the state delineated deer yard, and potentially for black bear habitat. Management operations are limited in the southeastern corner along the hilltop, due to steep slopes with exposed bedrock.

Past Management Activities

Due to the long land use history in this compartment, much of the management activities have been recorded. Such activities include the establishment of 17 permanent plots to monitor the forests response to silvicultural treatments. The plots were established as Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI) plots in 1948 and inventoried every five years until 1963. The following is a summary of other management activities that have taken place in the compartment.

|2002 |Fall- combined chipwood removal with Compartments 6 an10 |

|2002 |Fall- combined white pine sawtimber harvest with Compartments 6 and 10 |

|1998 |Winter- white birch harvested (3,690 MBF), sugar maple (4,013 MBF) |

|1998 |Winter- chipwood removal |

|19983 |Thinning and cleaning by students |

|1982 |First stage of shelterwood cut in Lower Farm Woodlot (18 MBF softwood) (9MBF hardwood) |

|1980 |Combined timber sale with Compartments 1,2 and 10 softwood, hardwood and firewood removed |

|1980 |Thinning and cleaning in Lower Farm Woodlot by students in white birch |

|1979 |Combined timber sale with Compartments 1,2 and 10 softwood, hardwood and firewood removed |

|1979 |Thinning and cleaning in Lower Farm Woodlot by students in pine and oak |

|1978 |Combined timber sale with Compartment 12, softwood, hardwood and firewood removed |

|1971 |Continuation of 1969 combined timber sale with Compartments 10 and 11 softwood and hardwood removed |

|1969 |Combined timber sale with Compartments 10 and 11 softwood and hardwood removed |

|1958 |Thinning for charcoal production and sale |

|1955 |Improvement cutting in Beech-Oak 5.6 cords of red maple and beech |

|1954 |Improvement cutting in Beech-Oak 10.6 cords of red maple and beech |

|1953 |Improvement cutting in Old Field Pine 8.9 cords mixed hardwood |

|1952 |Improvement cutting 16 cords red maple for charcoal wood |

|1951 |Pruning in Old Field Pine |

|1950 |Pine-Hardwood salvage cordwood from red oak tops fro charcoal production, 20 selected white pine pruned to 17 feet, |

| |salvage hurricane blowdown 2,182 MBF of white pine |

|1949 |Pine-Hardwood improvement cut 31 cords fuelwood, liberation cut, 8.1 MBF red oak, weeding in 1937 clearcut |

|1948 |Weeding in 1937 clearcut |

|1937 |Lower Farm Woodlot, clearcut |

Stand: Eastern White Pine

General Description

Spanning approximately 31 acres across the compartment, this stand is dominated by eastern white pine (58%), red maple (14%), American beech (6%), eastern hemlock (6 %), and northern red oak (6%), by percent basal area. Minor associates in this stand include sugar maple, paper birch, ironwood, white ash, white oak, sweet birch and red pine. Due to the long history of management in this stand, there is a two-aged stand structure of high quality white pine and fair to high quality hardwoods. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 156 ft²/ac (36 m²/ha). There are 645 stems/ac (1593 stems/ha), and the diameter of the tree of average basal area is 7 in (18 cm). Red maple, American beech and eastern hemlock make up the advanced regeneration of the stand. The majority of the stand is situated on Adams and Windsor sandy loam, with a narrow band of Lyman-Marlow rocky loam creating areas of shallow to bedrock soils. The topography of the stand is level to the north, northeast, and gently sloping to the west, with a western aspect, although surface runoff is very rapid, contributing to low nutrient and moisture availability to vegetation. Slopes range from zero to 10%.

|Size: 31 acres (12 ha) |Number of Plots: 8 |

|Soils: Four soil types make up this stand including; Adams and |Forest Type: Eastern White Pine (SAF #22) |

|Windsor Loamy Sand 12% to 60% slope ( both AdD and AdE), Hartland| |

|very Fine Sandy Loam 6% to 25% slope (HID), and Lyman-Marlow | |

|Series very rocky loam 30% to 60% slope (LyE) | |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on promoting high quality commercially valuable sawtimber, while maintaining and encouraging the white pine and red oak component. There is a long history of forest management in this stand. While this is a good white pine growing site, past agricultural use and human manipulation of species composition has been an important influence. In 1982, the first stage of a shelterwood cut were done aimed at regenerating white pine. However, due to the educational and aesthetic value of the large white pine in this stand, the second stage of the treatment, overstory removal, was not been carried out. Additional treatments to this stand include silvicultural student exercises in cleaning and pruning, and a long history of thinnings and improvement cuttings of hardwoods and white pine.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The arrangement of multiple canopy layers in this stand provides for a diversity of potential wildlife habitats. Canopy closure is 50%, predominantly of coniferous species with some hardwood components intermixed. The midstory canopy cover is of mixed composition and is 26% to 50%. Dominated by deciduous species, the shrub cover is relatively open ranging from zero to 10%, with patches of dense cover estimated at 25% to 75% cover. Ground cover is variable as well, ranging from zero to 50%. Both live and dead cavity trees, and high and low perches were observed in this stand. In addition, important soft mast species found in this stand includes raspberry (1% cover), low bush blueberry (1% cover), and partridgeberry (1% to 5% cover). Important hard masts species found in this stand include American beech (230 stems/ac, 568 stems/ha), northern red oak (22 stems/ac, 56 stems/ha) and ironwood (10 stems/ac, 245 stems/ha). Of special note is the presence of bear markings in American beech in this stand. This may suggest that in conjunction with the adjacent white pine-northern red oak stand, this is potential bear habitat. The volume of coarse woody debris observed in the stand was 278 cu.ft/ac (19 cu.m/ha). The following table is the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |2 |2 |0 |4 |

|8 to 10 inches |0 |1 |0 |0 |

Pest Condition

None observed during inventory.

Special Features

The presence of naturally seeded in red pine in this stand may represent an important ecological community in this stand. Although it is a common associate of the eastern white pine forest cover type, red pine communities are believed to be fire maintained. This suggests that there may have been a small fire in this stand, probably caused by lighting. If red pine is going to continue to be a component of this forest, it may need additional fires to aid in out competing shade tolerant species.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is essentially a two-aged stand in the process of converting to uneven aged structure. A diverse cohort of sapling and pole sized mixed regeneration combined with a strong component of eastern white pine in the medium and large sawtimber classes defines the age structure in this stand. This stand is densely stocked with small to medium sawtimber, composed of mostly eastern white pine. Furthermore, the presence of paper birch, eastern white pine and northern red oak in the predominantly shade tolerant, American beech, red maple and eastern hemlock, sapling regeneration, offers important management opportunity if future commercial sawtimber production is a management goal. .

Stand: White Pine-Northern Red Oak-Red Maple

General Description

Located in the southeastern corner of the compartment, this stand is situated on a hill rising from 640 feet (195 m) to 720 feet (220 m) in elevation. Historically, this stand has been referred to as “Oak Hill.” As the name suggests, northern red oak is a major component of this stand with a percent basal area of 31%. Other associates dominate in this stand include red maple (19%), American beech (13%), sugar maple (8%) and eastern white pine (4%), by percent basal area. Minor associates include white oak, paper birch, basswood, ironwood and big tooth aspen. This is a two-aged stand with high quality hardwood, especially northern red oak. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 108 ft²/ac (25 m²/ac), and there are 262 stems/ac (648 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 7 in (18 cm). Advanced regeneration in this stand includes eastern hemlock, American beech, red maple, sugar maple, ironwood and basswood. The stand is positioned on Lyman-Marlow very rocky soils, which are shallow to bedrock with several areas of exposed bedrock. The well-drained soil, combined with 20% to 30% slopes, create a competitive growing environment for northern red oak and white pine.

|Size: 8 acres (3 ha) |Number of Plots: 4 |

|Soils: Lyman-Marlow Series very rocky loam 30% to 60% slope (LyE)|Forest Type: White Pine-Northern Red Oak-Red Maple (SAF #20) |

|Site Index: 60 (EWP) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has aimed at promoting high quality commercially valuable sawtimber, with an emphasis on potentially veneer quality red oak. Furthermore, management has sought to promote the continued presence of a red oak component in this stand. The abundance of northern red oak in this stand has been strongly influenced by past management. Although past agricultural use, such as intensive grazing, contributes in part to the dominance of red oak, the composition of this stand has been silviculturally manipulated over the years to promote the species. Silvicultural treatments include single and group selection cuts, thinnings and cleanings by students, and commercial thinnings.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The abundance of red oak in this stand is an important high quality hard mast for many species. The canopy is multi-layered with a canopy closure class of 25% to 50%. Midstory canopy cover class is 25% to 50%, and predominantly deciduous with patches of 75% to 90% cover of mixed composition. The shrub layer is deciduous, ranging from zero to 15% cover and the ground cover ranges from zero to 20%. In addition to northern red oak (17 stems/ac, 42 stems/ha ), other high nutritional value hard masts include white oak (9 stems/ac, 23 stems/ha), American beech (116 stems/ac, 283 stems/ha) and ironwood (18 stems/ac, 45 stems/ha). Soft mast in this stand consists predominately of partridgeberry (1%). Both live and dead cavity trees re present in this stand, as well as high perches. Additional potential wildlife habitat features include, rock crevices in bedrock exposures and rock piles. The volume of coarse woody debris observed in the stand was 442 cu. ft/ac (31 cu. m/ha). The following is a table of the number of observations by diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |1 |2 |1 |0 |

|8 to 10 inches |1 |0 |1 |0 |

Pest Condition

No evidence of pest was observed during the inventory.

Special Features

No special features were observed during the inventory.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is essentially two aged with a strong presence of American beech, eastern hemlock sapling and pole size regeneration with a component of red maple and sugar maple in the pole to small sawtimber size class. The stand is well stocked with northern red oak medium to large sawtimber, which offer important sawtimber production management opportunities. Furthermore, the dominance of shade tolerant regeneration, namely eastern hemlock and American beech, combined with the lack of commercially valuable red oak regeneration offer important management considerations

Compartment 4

General Description

Consisting of a Japanese Larch Plantation, and a trembling aspen stand, Compartment 4 is approximately 15 acres in size. There is a long history of agricultural and pasture land use in this compartment as indicated by the 1937 land use map (Map). Although portions of the southern part of the compartment were pastured, the northern section of the compartment was cultivated for strip cropping in 1937. In 1941, the compartment was planted to Japanese Larch in alternate rows with Douglas Fir. The Japanese Larch was planted in order to compare exotic conifer growth on the site with native conifer growth. The Douglas fir was intended to provide an early thinning for Christmas trees, however situated on excessively well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy loam to well-drained Duane and Deerfield sandy soils, drought conditions the year following planting, combined with disease and deer browse, killed most of the fir before reaching harvestable sizes. In addition, the drought killed several of the Japanese Larch, creating opportunity for early regeneration of native hardwoods and conifers. As a result, there are patches in the Japanese larch plantation with a strong component of northern hardwoods. The topography of the compartment is relatively level, with a slight western sloping aspect, of 5% to 10%. The elevation of the compartment ranges from 540 feet (164.7 m) to 600 feet (183 m). A small ephemeral drainage runs east-west through the compartment.

Overall Past Management Objectives

Past management objectives in this compartment reflect an overall shift in the University management philosophy of the exotic plantations. Management of this compartment has predominantly focused on promoting the growth of exotic coniferous species for a comparative growth study.

Past Management Activities

In addition to the silvicultural treatments applied to this compartment, since the 1941 planting, nine, one acre, permanent plots were established in the plantation in order to monitor growth. These plots were inventoried every five years from 1954-1969. The following is a summary of other management activities that have taken place in the compartment.

|1999 |Summer- Combined chipwood removal with Compartments 7 and 12 |

|1985 |Thinning and cleaning by students |

|1984 |Thinning and cleaning by students |

|1981 |Firewood removal |

|1980 |Prescribed burn by students in southwest corner and southeast corner of Compartment 1. Fire got out of control, killed|

| |some older trees |

|1978 |Prescribed burn by students (plots 3 and 4) |

|1970 |Thinning (plots 3 and 4) for research study and construction lumber for use on property |

|1960 |Pruning |

Stand: Japanese Larch Plantation

General Description

Located in the southern extent of the compartment are the remnants of the 1941 Japanese Larch Plantation. The plantation is composed of a small area of pure Japanese Larch, the remainder of the 14 acres (6 ha) is intermixed Japanese Larch and mixed northern hardwoods of pole to small sawtimber. The basal area of the stand is dominated by Japanese larch (59%), red maple (20%), and eastern hemlock (10%). Quaking aspen, sugar maple, white birch and ironwood make up minor components of the stand. Although the stand is situated on well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy loam and Duane and Deerfield soil with very low moisture and nutrient availability, the Japanese Larch is of high quality and is displaying outstanding growth potential. At 45 years of age, the larch was 80 feet (24m) to 110 feet (34 m) in height and averaged 14 inches (36cm) in DBH. At 63 years of age, the average diameter is 7 in (42cm). The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 150 ft²/ac (34 m²/ac). There are 498 stems/ac (1230 stems/ha), and the diameter of the tree of average basal area of 8 in (19 cm). A two-aged stand, advance sapling size regeneration is dominated by red maple, sugar maple and ironwood. In the patch of pure Japanese Larch, cinnamon and hay-scented fern, possibly contributing to sparse regeneration dominate the understory. There was no Japanese Larch regeneration observed in this stand.

|Size: 14 acres (6 ha) |Number of Plots: 4 |

|Soils: Duane and Deerfield Soils 12% to 20% slope (DdC) and Adams|Forest Type: Japanese Larch Plantation |

|and Windsor Loamy Sand 12% to 30% slope (AdD) | |

|Site Index: 55 (RM) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on maintaining the Japanese Larch as an example of the growth potential of the species, through class thinnings and prunings. However, where mixed hardwoods have become established, management has aimed to promote native species composition and improve stem quality through thinning for sawtimber production. As mentioned in the compartment description, the abundance of hardwood and native coniferous species present is due to a drought that killed numerous Japanese larch and Douglas fir following the 1941 planting. Due to this early, unintended natural thinning, native hardwood and coniferous species became established in this stand, shortly after planting. The dominance of Japanese Larch in a small section of this stand has been heavily influenced by several thinnings and cleanings by students and by a prescribed burning done in 1978 and 1980.

The most recent harvest in this stand was done in 1999. The harvest was a thinning treatment aimed at reducing the stocking to the B-line, through single tree and small group selection cuts. Additional considerations of the harvest included release of sugar maple, white ash and red maple poles, and reduction of any epicormic branching in residual Japanese Larch stems. The presence of sapling sugar maple, red maple and white ash suggest the thinning was successful in promoting the establishment and growth of hardwood regeneration, through much of the stand. However, periodic burning in the southeastern corner of the stand has prevented the establishment of regeneration. Furthermore, a dense shrub layer of cinnamon and hay-scented fern maybe additionally inhibiting of new cohort establishment.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

With the exception of the small area of pure Japanese larch, this stand is structurally and spatially diverse and offers a variety of wildlife habitat potential. The canopy is moderately dense, 51% to 75% in mixed composition and relatively open, 26% to 50% in the patch pure Japanese Larch. A deciduous hardwood midstory cover of 26% to 50% was observed. In patches of denser regeneration, midstory canopy cover was observed at 51% to 100%. Shrub cover was observed ranging 10% to 60% and ground cover was dense, ranging from 26% to 100%, averaging 48% cover. Raspberry (ranging from 1% to 10% cover) is prevalent in the understory providing soft mast for many wildlife species and ironwood (29 stems/ac, 71 stems/ha) is present in the stand providing an important source for hard mast. In addition, high and low perches are present, as well as dead and live cavity trees. The volume of coarse woody debris in the stand is 250 cu.ft/ac (18 cu m/ac). All coarse woody debris observed in this stand was in the 5 to 7 in (13 to 18 cm) diameter class. The following is a table of the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |5 |0 |0 |1 |

Pest Condition

None observed during the 2004 inventory.

Special Features

As mentioned in the management objectives, the presence of hay-scented fern in this stand should be carefully monitored, especially following future silvicultural treatments, due to its regeneration inhibition potential.

Potential Management Opportunities

A densely stocked two-aged stand in the early stages of converting to an uneven aged structure, this stand has strong component of sugar maple sapling regeneration, which may offer an important management opportunity. Japanese larch dominates the small to medium sawtimber size class, especially in the southeast corner of the stand where plantation conditions persist. A strong component of native hardwoods, especially sugar maple and patches of red maple small sawtimber present an opportunity to further the conversion of the plantation to native hardwoods, if that is a management goal.

Stand: Quaking Aspen

General Description

Although this stand is being included in Compartment 4, half of the stand is located in Compartment 5. This stand is a six-year-old clearcut dominated by quaking aspen (67%), with a component of pin cherry (25%) and a remnant white pine (8%), by percent basal area. The trembling aspen and pin cherry are all under 5 in (13 cm) in dbh and in the sapling size class. An even aged stand with a legacy white pine of 17 in (43 cm) in dbh, the basal area of acceptable growing stock is 90 ft²/ac (21 m²/ha). The regeneration of trembling aspen and pin cherry is prolific with 6417stems/ac (15857 stems/ha). The stand is located on excessively well-drained, Adams and Windsor sandy loam, with a gentle 5% to 10% slope.

|Size: 2 acres (1 ha) |Number of Plots: 1 |

|Soils: Mostly Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12 to 30% slope (AdD) |Forest Type: Aspen (SAF#16) |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Even Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

The past management of this stand has focused on promoting early successional wildlife habitat, with a focus on ruffed grouse habitat. This stand was clearcut in 1999 as a demonstration area, for early successional wildlife habitat.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

This stand provides important early successional wildlife habitat for many species, especially, but not limited to grouse and other game birds. The canopy in this stand is open, in the zero to 25% cover class. Canopy cover is predominantly provided by the remnant white pine. Midstory canopy is dominated by trembling aspen and is in the 51% to 75% cover class. The shrub layer is dense with cover ranging from 70% to 90% and is dominated by raspberry and blackberry, both important soft mast species. Ground cover is ranges from 10% to 40%. The remaining canopy white pine and surrounding edge canopy provides many ideal high perches. A volume of 952 cu ft/ac (67 cu m/ha) coarse woody debris in the stand was observed. The abundance of coarse woody debris is also an important habitat feature, especially as drumming logs for ruffed grouse. The following table is of the number of observations in each diameter and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |0 |1 |0 |5 |

|8 to 10 inches |0 |1 |0 |1 |

Pest Condition

The quaking aspen in this stand is heavily infected with Aspen Leaf and Twig Blight (Venturia tremulae). Signs and symptoms of this disease include dieback in young twigs, as the current year shoots turn black and curl.

Special Features

None were observed during the inventory.

Potential Management Opportunities

This even aged stand dominated by dense quaking aspen saplings offers important early successional wildlife habitat. Although it is in the early stages of stand development, the presence of aspen leaf and twig blight will potentially strongly influence stem development. The remnant white pine located in the center of the clear cut may provide an important seed source during stand development. Since, there is relatively little additional early successional habitat in the Research Forest, management of this stand should consider the importance of this early successional habitat to numerous plant and animal species.

Compartment 5

General Description

Compartment 5 is approximately 14 acres (6 ha) in size and is made up of two stands, the aspen stand described in Compartment 4 and a mixed coniferous plantation. Planted in 1941, the original purpose of the plantation was to compare the growth of exotic conifers with native conifers. The original planting in the compartment contained 11,100 trees, 50% ponderosa pine, 25% European larch and 25% Austrian pine. Situated on excessively well-drained Adams and Windsor sand loam, deposited by the glaciers, the topography of the compartment is gently sloping with a western aspect. Slopes range from 5% to 10% and the elevation ranges from 540 feet (165 m) to 640 feet (195 m). Although it is located on excessively well-drained sandy soils, the relatively flat terrain in this compartment made it productive agricultural land in the early 1900’s. In fact, most of the compartment was planted to strip crops running north to south in 1937.

Overall Past Management Objectives

Management in this compartment has historically aimed at promoting the growth of exotic coniferous species in order to study the comparative growth. However, management activities have been severely limited by the availability of markets for the wood. Additional past management considerations in this compartment include early successional wildlife habitat.

Past Management Activities

In addition to the silvicultural treatments applied to this compartment, since the 1941 planting, nine, one acre, permanent plots were established in the plantation in order to monitor growth. These plots were inventoried every five years from 1954-1969. The following is a summary of other management activities that have taken place in the compartment.

|1996 |Winter- Chipwood removal (252.93 tons) and harvest of ponderosa pine and larch (22,949) |

|1995 |Fall- Timber sale softwood (50,735), white pine and larch (12,590), hard pine (2,834) harvested. |

|1981 |Prescribed burn by students (plots 5 and 8) |

|1979 |Prescribed burn by students (plots 6 and 7) |

|1966 |Thinning and cleaning by students |

|1965 |Pruning and thinning by students |

Stand: Mixed Conifer Plantation

General Description

Spanning approximately 13 acres (5 ha) across the compartment, this stand contains both native and exotic conifers and native northern hardwoods. The stand is composed of eastern white pine (23%), red maple (20%) ponderosa pine (16%), European larch (14%), white ash (9%), quaking aspen (6%) and sugar maple (5%). Minor associates include big tooth aspen, black cherry, butternut and sweet birch. The stand is two-aged with fair to moderate quality hardwood small sawtimber. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 159 ft²/ac (36 m²/ha). There are 750 stems/ac (1854 stems/ha), and the diameter of the tree of average basal area is 6 in (15 cm). Advance regeneration is predominantly white ash, red maple, and quaking aspen. In the western section of the stand, survival of the original plantings was not good. As a result, there is a strong hardwood component to the area. Along the eastern boundary of the stand is a small clearing, currently used to pasture sheep. Adjacent to the opening is a three-acre strip of mixed hardwood, which borders a main woods road. The stand is relatively level to sloping 10% with a western aspect.

|Size: 13 acres (5 ha) |Number of Plots: 4 |

|Soils: Predominantly Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12% to 30% |Forest Type: Mixed Conifer Plantation |

|slope (AdD) with a patch of AdB (slopes 5% to 12%) along the | |

|eastern border | |

|Site Index: 70 (RM) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on maintaining the plantation as an example of the growth of exotic coniferous species in this region, and as an area for silvicultural class exercises. In addition, the stand has been thinned when markets are available to encourage high quality sawtimber. Additional management considerations include the maintenance of a 3 acre (1.215 ha) mixed hardwood strip along the eastern boundary, bordering the woods road, for aesthetic purposes. The composition and stem quality of this stand has been heavily influenced by student thinnings and prescribed burns. Much of the management of this stand is limited by the availability of markets for the wood. The last treatment done in the stand was in 1995/1996. The harvest was a salvage cut of ponderosa pine heavily infected with Sirococcus shoot blight. In addition to the salvage cut, European larch was thinned in small groups for an opportune sawlog market. Regeneration from the treatment is composed of native northern hardwoods with a strong component of striped maple, sugar maple and red maple saplings. However, deer browse has been heavy on the sugar maple saplings, threatening its establishment is the understory. In addition, red maple, sugar maple and white ash poles were released during the harvest. The residual basal area of harvested areas is estimated at 90 ft²/ac (20.664 m²/ha). In addition to the salvage cut, periodic prescribed burns in the southeastern corner of the stand have strongly inhibited the establishment of sawtimber regeneration.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

Although this is a two-aged stand, it is structurally diverse with ponderosa pine dominant in the overstory and a compositionally mixed midstory. Canopy cover class is 51% to 75% and the midstory cover class is 26% to 50%. The shrub layer is relatively open, with a cover ranging from zero to 10% and the ground cover is variable ranging from 10% to 50%. Other habitat features present in this stand include live and dead cavity trees as well as high and low perches. Both hard mast, provided by butternut and soft mast, including partridgeberry (1%) and raspberry (1%) are present in this stand. The volume of coarse woody debris in the stand is 1230 cu ft/ac (86 cu m/ha). The following table is the number of observations in each diameter and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |2 |1 |1 |1 |

|8 to10 inches |2 |1 |0 |0 |

|11 to 13 inches |2 |1 |0 |0 |

Pest Condition

Dieback and flagging was observed in the crowns of many white pine and ponderosa pine, suggesting infection by a needle cast disease or pine blister rust. Sirococcus shoot blight has historically been a problem in this stand, killing many of the ponderosa pine. In addition, the 1988 management plan indicates that this stand has been infected with sweet fern blister rust, as well as a history of porcupine damage.

Special Features

No special features were observed during the 2004 inventory.

Potential Management Opportunities

This is a densely stocked, two-aged stand in the process of converting to an uneven aged stand. In addition to the conversion of stand structure, the strong presence of white ash and red maple sapling and pole sized regeneration, combined with eastern white pine in both the pole size and small timber size classes suggest that this stand is in the process of transitioning to native species. Though planted ponderosa pine and European larch are present in the small to medium sawtimber size classes the young cohort of northern hardwoods offers an important management opportunity if transitioning this stand into native mixed hardwoods is a management goal.

Compartment 6

General Description

Located along the northern boundary of the property, on glacially deposited Adams and Windsor sandy loam, Compartment 6 is consists of three stands, a white pine plantation, a paper birch-red maple stand and a small red pine plantation. The compartment is 18 acres (7 ha). The compartment is relatively level, with a slight northwestern sloping aspect, of zero to 5%. Although situated on excessively well-drained sandy soils, the relatively level terrain of the compartment made it ideal for agriculture in the early 1900’s. In fact, the 1937 land use map (Map ) indicates that this compartment was planted to strip crops, running north to south. The elevation of the compartment ranges from 540 feet to 600 feet (165 m to 183 m). The eastern boundary of the compartment follows the main entrance road. Along the southeastern boundary of the compartment is the house and outbuildings. This area is open, as well as a strip along the northeastern edge along the power lines. There is an internal access logging roads that traverse through compartment, as well as a wood road that follows the southern boundary of the compartment. The compartment is border to the west by a main woods road that is maintained and used by VAST for snowmobiling in the winter.

Overall Past Management Objectives

Past management of this compartment has focused on improving the quality of white pine plantation, and hardwood stand for sawtimber and pulpwood production, while maintaining aesthetic value, due to the proximity to the main entrance road and facilities. Additional management considerations include a small ephemeral drainage in the northeastern corner of the stand.

Past Management Activities

In addition to the silvicultural treatments applied to this compartment, since the 1941 planting, nine, one acre, permanent plots were established in the plantation in order to monitor growth. These plots were inventoried every five years from 1954-1969. The following is a summary of past management activities in the compartment.

|2003 |Summer- chipwood removal (71.10 tons) |

|2003 |Summer- Timber sale white pine (22.812 MBF) removed |

|2002 |Fall- chipwood removal (37.31 tons) |

|2002 |Fall- Timber sale white pine (5.094 MBF) |

|1991 |Summer- Timber sale white pine (5.195 MBF) |

|1991 |Summer- chipwood removal combined harvest with Compartments 2,8, 10,11, 12 |

|1975 |Clearcut in north end of white pine plantation (140 cords of pulpwood) |

|1973 |White pine plantation, shelterwood, selection and strip clearcut demonstration started by silviculture students |

|1960 |Pruning of plantation |

Stand: Eastern White Pine Plantation

General Description

Encompassing 12 acres (5 ha), the eastern white pine plantation was planted in 1941. The stand is dominated by white pine (86%), with a component of red maple (7%), by percent basal area. Advanced regeneration consists of red maple, striped maple, quaking aspen, and American beech. There are patches of eastern white pine regeneration sparsely distributed throughout the stand. This is a two-aged stand, with a basal area of acceptable growing stock of 127 ft²/ac (29 m²/ha). There are 959 stems/ac (2371 stems/ha), including 674 red maple stems/ac (1665 stems/ ha), 153 American beech stems/ac (376 stems/ha) and 114 white pine stems/ac (282 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal are is 5 in (13 cm). The white pine is predominantly small to medium sawtimber and of fair to high quality. There is an internal access logging road that runs west through the compartment from the outbuildings.

|Size: 12 acres (5 ha) |Number of Plots: 3 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12% to 30% slope (AdD) |Forest Type: Eastern White Pine Plantation |

|Site Index: 65 (EWP) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on improving the quality of white pine for sawtimber and pulpwood production, while encouraging the transition to an uneven aged stand. Furthermore, historically management has aimed to encourage commercially valuable high quality hardwood for sawtimber production. In addition, this stand has been strongly influenced by a long history of agricultural land use. Cultivated and planted to strip crops in the 1900’s, the one acre of this stand was to red pine by the Soil Conservation Service, in 1937, in order to prevent soiling blowing in a heavily eroded sand blown area. Although, most of red pine has been harvested, there are still some remnant mature stems along the western edge of the stand.

This stand has been silviculturally treated twice in the past fifteen years. The most recent treatment in this stand was a salvage cut completed in 2003. The salvage cut was in done in a small area where a windstorm snapped the tops of a many double-stemmed white pine. In addition, during the salvage cut operation, the stand was treated with a light thinning, in order to select against predisposed stems, including those with sign of White Pine Blister Rust, Red Rot and pine weevil damage. A field observation estimates the residual basal area in the harvested areas at 100 to 110 square feet per acre. It is too early to determine what will regenerate in the windblown area, however, the disturbance will promote the growth of advanced hardwood regeneration, including sugar maple. The second silvicultural treatment was a 1991 thinning to the B-line, on the Eastern White Pine stocking guide. During the thinning small groups and individual trees were removed. As a result of this harvest, there is a strong component of sapling to pole size sugar maple regeneration, especially along the southeastern extent of the stand. This advanced sugar maple regeneration should respond well to the canopy openings created during the 2003 harvest.

Additional silvicultural treatments that have been applied to this stand include a limited shelterwood cut and clearcut in 1973 and 1975. These treatments were done as silviculture class exercises. The limited shelterwood cut was done in the eastern extent of the stand and has resulted in the establishment of pole size northern red oak. The clearcut was done in 1975, in the northwestern corner of the stand and has resulted in a young hardwood stand; see additional stands in this compartment for more information.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy of the stand is relatively open with a cover class of 26% to 50%. The predominantly deciduous midstory canopy cover is quite variable, ranging from an estimated zero to 50%, with dense patches of 76% to 100% cover. The shrub layer is deciduous and relatively open ranging from zero to 10%. Ground cover is moderately dense and estimated to range from 25% to 60%. Soft mast species in this stand include raspberry (1% cover). There is no hard mast present in this stand. Other habitat features in this stand include live and dead cavity trees, and high and low perches. The volume of coarse woody debris in the stand is 821 cu ft/acre (57 cu m/ha). The following table indicates the number of observations in each diameter and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |3 |3 |3 |

|8 to10 inches |1 |0 |0 |

Pest Condition

The white pine in this stand has been heavily infected with red ring rot (Phellinis pini), a decay of the heartwood in living conifers. In addition, many white pine stems are forked due to white pine weevil damaged. Lastly, some of the pine is displaying symptoms of white pine blister rust. Further examination is necessary to determine the extent of the red rot and white pine blister rust infestation.

Special Features

None were observed during inventory.

Potential Management Opportunities

An even aged stand in conversion to a two-aged stand, there is a strong component of American beech and red maple sapling regeneration. The densely stocked eastern white pine dominates the pole, small, medium and large sawtimber size classes. The relative absence of northern hardwoods in the larger sawtimber classes may be an important management consideration in this stand, if development of an uneven aged stand is desirable.

Stand: Paper Birch-Red Maple

General Description

Located in along the northern boundary of the compartment is a stand of pole sized northern hardwoods with several planted exotic conifers, including Japanese larch and Scots pine. Dominated by paper birch (38%), red maple (25%), planted Japanese larch (25%), and northern red oak (12%), by percent basal area, this stand is a 29-year-old clearcut. With poor to fair stem quality, this stand is even aged. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 70 ft²/ac (16 m²/ha). There are 854 stems/ac (2111 stems/ha), with a diameter of the tree of average basal area of 4 in (10 cm). The stand is situated on nutrient poor, well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy loam. In the northeastern corner of the compartment is an ephemeral drainage, which follows the edge of the northern boundary off the property. The stand is bordered to the north and west by well-maintained woods road.

|Size: 4 acres (2 ha) |Number of Plots: 1 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12% to 30% slope (AdD), with |Forest Type: Paper Birch/Red Maple (SAF#18/SAF# 108) |

|some overlap of AdB in the northeast corner. | |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Even Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

The management of this stand has historically focused on promoting high quality hardwood stems for sawtimber production, through firewood removal, single tree and small group selection cuts. Additional management concerns include, maintaining a protective strip along the small stream in the eastern corner of the stand and along the wet drainage area following the northern boundary of the property. Past management has aimed at maintaining aesthetics along the access road, in the northeastern corner of the stand. Originally part of the white pine plantation, this stand is the result of a 1975 clearcut. Management in this stand has been light and is predominantly focused on occasional firewood removal to improve species composition and stem quality.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy of this forest is deciduous and in the 51% to 75% cover class. The midstory canopy is deciduous and in the 26% to 50% cover class. Shrub layer cover is sparse, 1% cover, and is composed of deciduous species. Ground cover was estimated at 30% cover. There was no soft mast observed in the inventory. Although northern red oak was observed in the inventory, it does not appear to be of mast producing age or size. Other features include high perches and live and dead cavity trees. No coarse woody debris was observed during the inventory.

Pest Condition

None observed during the inventory.

Special Features

Along the northern boundary of the stand is an ephemeral stream, which widens as it follows the northern boundary of the property and shifts into a wet drainage area.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is stocked with red maple and paper birch sapling regeneration. There is a strong component of northern red oak and paper birch pole sized stems. Although this stand is in the relatively early stages of development, the presence of well-formed, commercially valuable hardwood offers an important management opportunity.

Stand: Red Pine Plantation

General Description

Located along the northern border of the compartment is a small red pine plantation of less than one ace. Dominated by red pine (94%), there is a small component of planted white pine (6%). Found on excessively well-drained, Adams and Windsor sandy loam, it is an even aged stand of poor to fair quality pole sized stems. The diameter distribution of the red pine is 6 to 11 inches (15 cm to 28 cm). The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 180 ft²/ac (41 m²/ha). There are 487 stems/ac (1204 stems/ha). The topography of the site is relatively level with a slight western aspect and slopes not exceeding 5%.

|Size: 0.5 acres (0.2 ha) |Number of Plots: 1 |

|Soils: Mostly Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12% to 30% slope (AdD)|Forest Type: Red Pine Plantation |

|Site Index: Not available |Age Structure: Even Aged |

Past Management Objectives

Past management of this stand has aimed at promoting high quality red pine and white pine sawtimber . There is little presently known about the history of this planting. However, presumably it was planted around 1975, following the clearcut. Based on the signs and symptoms of a needle cast infection, this stand may have been planted for forest pathology research.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

Wildlife habitat features in this stand include a relatively closed canopy of 80% cover, combined with an open midstory (0%) and shrub layer (0%). Ground cover was estimated at 50% to 60%. No mast species were observed during the inventory. The volume of coarse woody debris is 460 cu ft/ac (32 cu m/ha). Coarse woody debris observed in this stand was in the 5 to 7 inch (13 cm to 18 cm) diameter class, soft, with bark present.

Pest Condition

Needle casting was observed in the red pine and crown condition averaged 80%, suggesting that the red pine is infected with a needle cast disease. Further examination is needed to determine if these trees are infected with a needle cast disease.

Special Features

None were observed during the inventory.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is densely stocked with pole size red pine. The density of the stems may be limiting the development of medium to high quality stems. Additionally, future development of the stand may be limited by the presence of a needle cast disease. If promoting red pine in the stand is a management goal, the density of the stocking may be an important management consideration.

Compartment 7

General Description

Containing approximately 25 acres (10 ha), Compartment 7 is located along the northern boundary of the property, paralleling Tarbox Road to the north. Two stands, a red pine plantation and a mixed hardwood stand comprise the compartment. The compartment is situated on Adams and Windsor sandy loam with an area of Duane and Deerfield soils along the eastern boundary. These soils are well-drained to excessively well-drained and provide little moisture or nutrient availability to vegetation. Slopes of 10% to 30% with a northwestern aspect and several small ephemeral drainages, define the topography of the compartment. There is a 120 ft (37 m) elevational gain from the northwest corner of the compartment the southeastern corner, at 700 ft (214 m). Due to the steepness of the terrain, past agricultural land use in this compartment was limited to permanent pasture (Map_). The western boundary of the compartment follows the main entrance road into the property. Along the eastern border of the compartment is a narrow woods road that passes two Heavy Cut demonstration areas, in the red pine plantation.

Overall Past Management Objectives

Past management of this compartment has focused on improving the quality of the red plantation, and hardwood stand for sawtimber and pulpwood production, while maintaining aesthetic qualities, due to the proximity to the main entrance road. Additional management considerations include maintaining a red pine component due to the educational value of regeneration requirements, while encouraging more site appropriate northern hardwoods.

Past Management Activities

In addition to the silvicultural treatments applied to this compartment, since the 1941 planting, nine, one acre, permanent plots were established in the plantation in order to monitor growth. These plots were inventoried every five years from 1954-1969. The following is a summary of other management activities that have taken place in the compartment.

|1999 |Spring/Summer- Timber sale of red pine poles (254) |

|1999 |Spring/Summer- Chipwood removal Combined with Compartments 4 and 12. |

|1999 |Spring- timber sale red pine 28.083 MBF |

|1986 |Prescribed burn by students in plots 1, 2, 5 and 6 |

|1986 |Thinning by students in mixed hardwoods |

|1984 |Prescribed burn by students in plots 1 and 6 |

|1983 |Prescribed burn by students in 2 and 5 |

|1974 |Second thinning in red pine pulpwood removed (60 cords) |

|1967 |Pulpwood thinning in red pine (108 cords from 8 acres, basal area reduced to 90 sq. ft. /ac.) |

|1961 |Pruning of red pine |

|1960 |Pruning of red pine |

|1957 |Pruning in red pine |

Stand: Red Pine Plantation

General Description

Planted in 1941, on former pasture, this plantation is composed of 100% red pine, by percent basal area. Growing on well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy loam and Duane and Deerfield soils, most of the red pine is of moderate to high quality, for sawtimber or pole production. Used as pasture during the early 1900’s (Map ), this is an even aged stand. The stand is dominated by small sawtimber, with 98 stems/ac (243 stems/ha) in that size class. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 112 square ft²/ac (26 m²/ha). There are 120 stems/ac (296 stems/ha), with a diameter of the tree of average basal area of 13 in (34 cm). A small, narrow drainage divides the plantation running north to northwest, which is dominated by native hardwoods.

|Size: 16 acres (6. ha) |Number of Plots: 3 |

|Soils: Mostly Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 5% to 30% slope and a |Forest Type: Red Pine Plantation |

|large patch of Duane and Deerfield soils 12% to 20%. | |

|Site Index: 65 (REP) |Age Structure: Even Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Management of this stand has focused on improving the quality and growth of red pine for sawtimber and pole production, through several thinning and pruning treatments. In addition, past management has aimed at maintaining a component of red pine through promoting the establishment of red pine regeneration using prescribed burns. This stand has been actively managed to promote growth of high quality red pine sawtimber. The plantation has been thinned several times, the most recent of which was done in 1999. The goal of the 1999 thinning was to promote the increase in growth of well-formed stems; as a result, the treatment was more of a crop tree release, than a plantation thinning. Crop trees were released on 2 to 3 sides of the crown. The residual stocking was on the B-line for Lake State red pine plantations. In addition to releasing the red pine, advanced sapling regeneration in the stand was also released, including a small contingent of northern red oak red maple and American beech. A dense shrub layer of raspberry and blackberry, may be impeding the establishment of a new cohort. The northern extent of the stand was not thinned during the 1999 harvest. Instead, students have routinely treated the area with prescribed burns, in order to promote the establishment of red pine regeneration. As a result, there are some patches of red pine regeneration in the northwest corner of the plantation.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy cover of the stand is relatively variable, with areas of both the 25% to 50% cover class and 50% to 75% cover class. The midstory canopy is variable as well, ranging from zero to 50%, and is dominated by deciduous species. The shrub layer is deciduous and open with zeroto 5% cover, although there are patches of denser shrub cover up to 20%. Ground cover was estimated to range from 30% to 50%. Soft mast species in this stand include raspberry (5% to 10% cover). There is no hard mast present in this stand. Other habitat features in this stand include, rock piles, an ephemeral stream, live and dead cavity trees, and high and low perches. The volume of coarse woody debris in the stand is 126.5 cubic feet per acre. Coarse woody debris was observed in the 5 to 7 in (12.7 to 17.78 cm) diameter class, hard and with bark.

Pest Condition

No signs or symptoms of pest were observed during the inventory.

Special Features

Two one acre heavy cut demonstration plots are located in the northeast corner of the stand in order to show the effect of the Heavy Cut Regulations passed by the Vermont legislature in 1997-1998. In addition, there is a kiosk opposite of the demonstration plots to promote public education. The following is a summary of the 100% inventory conducted before and after each treatment, the information is also provided on the kiosk.

|Treatment Stocking Level |Number of stems per acre |Pre-treatment Basal Area |Mean Stand Diameter |Residual Basal Area |

|B- line |264 |189.8 |11.5 |88 |

|C-line |272 |164.2 |10.5 |60 |

Potential Management Opportunities

This even aged stand is stocked with predominantly small sawtimber red pine. Although the stand was recently treated to promote stem growth in the red pine, there is a distinct absence of a sapling regeneration cohort, which may pose significant management considerations as the stand develops.

Stand: Paper Birch-Red Maple

General Description

Located in along the western and southern boundary of the compartment is a stand of pole sized to small sawtimber sized northern hardwoods. The stand borders the entrance road and sits opposing the farmhouse and outbuilding facilities. The stand is composed of paper birch (41%), red maple (35%), and sugar maple (17%). Ironwood, white ash and eastern white pine are minor associates in this stand. Red maple dominates the advanced regeneration, sapling size class. Situated on Adams and Windsor sandy loam with low moisture and nutrient availability, the stand is two-aged and the quality of the stems is poor to fair. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 198 ft²/ac (45 m²/ha). There are 611 stems/ac (1509 stems/ha). A small ephemeral stream flows west through the stand, and continues into the northwestern corner of Compartment 6. Portions of this stand were used as permanent pasture during the early 1900’s.

|Size: 9 acres (4 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12% to 30% slope (AdD), with |Forest Type: Paper Birch-Red Maple (SAF#18/SAF# 108) |

|a narrow strip of AdB along the northwestern boundary. | |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

The management of this stand has focused on promoting high quality hardwood stems for sawtimber production, through firewood removal, single tree and small group selection cuts, while maintaining an aesthetic strip along the entrance road and opposite the farmhouse and facilities and a protective strip along the ephemeral stream. Management of this stand has been predominantly focused on pre-commercial thinings to improve hardwood stem quality, including thinning by students in the southwestern corner and occasional firewood removal.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy of this stand is dense, in the 76% to 100% cover class. The midstory canopy is deciduous and moderately dense, yet variable with areas in the 26% to 50% cover class and in the 51% to 75% cover. The shrub layer is relatively open ranging from 1% to 10% cover and composed of deciduous species. Ground cover is variable with areas of 5% to 20% cover and patches of 60% cover. Important hard mast species in this stand include ironwood (6 stems/ac, 16 stems/ha). No soft mast was observed during the inventory, though is probably present. Other habitat features of note include, rock piles, an ephemeral stream, high and low perches and live and dead cavity trees. This stand has 429 cu ft/ac (30 cu m/ha) of coarse woody debris per acre. The following table is the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |1 |1 |

|8 to10 inches |0 |1 |

Pest Condition

None were observed during inventory.

Special Features

The proximity to the house and entrance road is an important consideration in management of this stand.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is densely stocked with a strong component of red maple saplings, and paper birch, sugar maple and white ash poles. The density of pole-sized stems in this stand may be limiting the development of this cohort into small sawtimber. Although there is a small component of red maple, paper birch and sugar maple small sawtimber, the density of pole sized stems offers an important management opportunity if the development of commercially valuable sawtimber is a management goal.

Compartment 8

General Description

Situated in the center of the Research Forest, Compartment 8 shares its border with seven other compartments. It is approximately 32 acres (123 ha) in size and composed of two stands. The eastern two-thirds of the compartment is a Scots pine plantation, and to the west is a naturally seeded in stand of white pine. Situated on glacially deposited Adams and Windsor sandy loam with a narrow band of Lyman-Marlow very rocky loam soils, the topography of the compartment is defined by deep sandy soils, gentle slopes, and bedrock outcrops. The elevation rises from 640 ft (195 m) to 800 ft (244m). Slopes in the western and southwestern extent of the compartment have a western to southwestern aspect, slopes range from 5% to 35%. The remainder of the compartment is relatively level with slopes averaging 5%. A network of well-maintained woods roads encloses the compartment. Within the compartment, several smaller logging roads provide access. Additional resources of interest in this compartment include an important cultural landmark in the northwestern corner of the compartment and a birch arboretum, in the southwestern corner of the compartment. The arboretum, planted in 1962, by the United States Forest Service, contained, at the time of planting 175 native and exotic birch species. Today, it contains paper birch, sweet birch, grey birch, yellow birch, and river birch, as well as several species of native and exotic conifers.

Overall Past Management Objectives

The overall management objective of this compartment has focused on improving the quality of white pine and northern hardwoods for sawtimber production, while protecting important cultural landmarks. Due to poor stem quality of the Scots pine, management has aimed to promote a shift in species composition away from exotic species plantations towards native mixed hardwoods. Management of the birch arboretum has centered on promoting the area for its educational and research value and management activities occur only as needed.

Past Management Activities

The deep, excessively well-drained sandy soils for in this compartment are very prone to wind and water erosion. In fact, this compartment was planted to Scots pine for soil stabilization in 1937, after its abandonment as pasture. In addition, in 1942 the compartment was seeded to beach grasses, for soil stabilization tests. The following table is a summary of silvicultural treatments that have taken place in the compartment.

|2005 |Fall- silviculture class, student marked group selection of Scots pine plantation and white pine |

|2003 |Winter- chipwood removal (48.80 tons) |

|2003 |Winter- Timber sale of Scots pine (20.210 MBF) |

|2003 |Winter- Timber sale of white pine (1.120 MBF) |

|1996 |Summer- Chipwood removal (491.24 tons) |

|1996 |Summer- Timber sale of white pine (43.635 MBF) |

|1996 |Summer- Timber sale of white and red pine (2.5 MBF) |

|1996 |Summer- Timber sale of red pine (1.24 MBF) |

|1996 |Summer- Timber sale of spruce (8.31 MBF) |

|1991 |Winter- Timber sale of white pine (34.157 MBF) |

|1991 |Summer- Combine pulpwood removal with Compartment 2,6,10,11,12 |

|1977 |Combined softwood timber sale with compartment 13, sawlogs and pulpwood removed |

|1976 |Clearcut 2 acres in Scots Pine plantation (51 cords removed) |

|1962 |Thinning of Scotts pine plantation for fence posts, 1,500 cut including 110 black locust |

Stand: Scots Pine Plantation

General Description

The combination of steep western facing slopes and deep sandy loam soil, made this stand very susceptible to wind and water erosion after it was abandoned as pasture in during 1900’s. In order to stabilize the excessively well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy loam soil, the area was planted to Scots pine, red pine and black locust in 1937. Today, the stand is composed of Scots pine (34%), eastern white pine (19%), big tooth aspen (12%), red maple (10%), paper birch (9%), and black locust (6%), by percent basal area. Red pine, sugar maple, eastern hemlock, black cherry, striped maple and sweet birch are also present as minor associates of this stand. Advanced regeneration, in the sapling size class is predominately red maple, with a small component of big tooth aspen, sugar maple, red pine and sweet birch. The stand is essentially two-aged, with a strong component of pole size to small sawtimber hardwood, due to past stand thinning, and small group cuts. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 140 ft²/ac (32 m²/ha), with 749 stems/ac (1851 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area of the stand is 6 in (16 cm).The topography of the stand is relatively flat, with slope ranging from 5% to 10%. A main roads road borders this stand to the north, west and south. There are several internal logging roads through the stand, due to recent harvest activity. In addition, a landing exists at the northern end of the stand.

|Size: 21 acres (8 ha) |Number of Plots: 7 |

|Soils: Mostly Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12% to 30% slope |Forest Type: Scots Pine Plantation |

|(AdD), with small patches AdE, in the southeast corner and AdB in| |

|the southwest corner | |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on transiting the stand towards native mixed hardwoods, through small group selection, while improving the stem quality of Scots pine for sawtimber production, as markets become available. Furthermore, management has encouraged the establishment of high quality white pine and commercially valuable hardwoods. The 1937 planting of this stand was done by the Soil Conservation Service and contained 10,000 Scots pine, 500 red pine and 500 black locust. As indicated in the compartment description, preceding the plantings, the stand was seeded to beach grass to further protect the soil from wind erosion. Since its reforestation, this stand has had several silvicultural treatments. The most recent treatment, done in 2004-2005 was a single tree and group selection harvest, done by students enrolled in the silviculture class, in order encourage the transition towards an uneven aged northern hardwood stand, through promoting the establishment of northern hardwood regeneration, while aiming for a residual basal area of 80 ft²/ac (18 m²/ha). In 2003, Scots pine was harvested in order to promote hardwood regeneration, while taking advantage of an available market for hard pine.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy cover of the stand is estimated in the 25% to 50% cover class. The midstory canopy is mostly deciduous and quite variable, ranging from the zero to 25% cover class to the 50% to 75% cover class, with dense patches of coniferous regeneration in the 75% to 100% cover class. The shrub layer is very sparse, with a zero to 10% cover and consists predominantly of deciduous species, though patches of coniferous shrub cover are present. The ground layer is variable, ranging from 1% to 25%, with some patches of up to 40% cover. Although northern red oak was not tallied during the inventory, the presence of the species, as a source of hard mast, was noted. Soft mast species include partridgeberry (1% cover) and raspberry (1% cover). Other habitat features in this stand include slash, live and dead cavity trees, and high and low perches. The volume of coarse woody debris is 331 cu ft/ac (23 cu. m/ha). The following table provides the number of observations in each diameter and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |3 |1 |2 |

|11 to13 inches |1 |0 |1 |

Pest Condition

Pine-oak rust, caused by Cronartium quercum, is present in the stand, creating galls on the branches of the Scots pine.

Special Features

Two important features border this stand to the west and are important to note in any management consideration. The first is an important cultural landmark that exists to the west of the stand, along a rock outcrop. The second is a hiking trail, known as the “Blue Trail” that traverses the ridge, which divides the Scots pine plantation and the white pine stand.

Potential Management Opportunities

Essentially an even aged stand in the process of converting to a densely stocked two-age structure, this stand has a strong presence of hardwood sapling regeneration. Although there is a strong cohort of red maple saplings, of special management consideration is the presence of sugar maple saplings. In addition, there is a component of eastern white pine and paper birch pole sized stems to small sawtimber. Furthering the development of these cohorts may provide important management opportunity if transitioning the stand away from planted exotic species is a management goal.

Stand: Eastern White Pine

General Description

Situated along the steep sloping western edge of Compartment 8 on Lyman-Marlow very rocky loam is a naturally seeded in stand of white pine. In the northern section of the stand are remnant red pine and black locust from the SCS planting in 1937. Although red maple dominates the basal area of the stand at 34%, it is predominantly of the pole size class. Eastern white pine accounts for 30% of the basal area and red pine consists of 12%. Other associates that compose this stand include sugar maple, eastern hemlock, black cherry, striped maple, northern red oak, butternut, white ash and red spruce. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 160 ft²/ac (37 m²/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 5 in (13 cm). This is a two aged stand in the process of converting into an uneven aged stand, with 1398 stems/ac (3454 stems/ha), strongly dominated by sugar maple saplings. Advanced regeneration in this stand is predominantly sugar maple and red maple, with a smaller component of American beech, striped maple and red spruce. Steep slopes, ranging from 10% to 35%, shallow to bedrock soils, and bedrock outcrops define the topography of this stand.

|Size: 11 acres (5 ha) |Number of Plots: 4 |

|Soils: Lyman-Marlow Series very rocky loam 30 to 60% slope (LyE),|Forest Type: Eastern White Pine |

|with a narrow strip of AdD along the western boundary. | |

|Site Index: 60 (EWP) |Age Structure: Uneven Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

The past management of this stand has centered on promoting high quality white pine stems for sawtimber production, through single tree and small group selection cuts, and to promote the continuance of a white pine component in this stand. Other resource considerations include maintaining an aesthetic strip along the “Blue Trail” and protecting culturally significant landmarks identified in the stand. The most recent harvest in this stand was done in 1996. The stand was thinned through single tree selection and small group cuts, in order to improve the quality of white pine. In addition, during this harvest a small amount of planted Norway spruce was harvested from the southeastern corner of this stand.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

This stand is structurally heterogeneous and offers a variety of potential habitat. Canopy closure is variable, with areas of 51% to 75% cover and areas of 75% to 100% canopy cover. The midstory canopy is deciduous and variable as well, with patches of 75% to 100% cover, although primarily in the zero to 25% cover class. The shrub layer cover is composed of coniferous and deciduous species and ranges from zero to 15%, with patches of up to 50% cover. Ground cover is variable, ranging from 1% to 20%, with some patches of 40% to 50% cover. Important hard mast species in this stand include butternut (2 stems/ac, 4 stems/ha) and northern red oak (1 stems/ac, 2 stems/ac). Black cherry (5 stems/ac, 11 stems/ha) offers a potential source of soft mast. Other habitat features of note include, rock outcrops, high and low perches and live and dead cavity trees. The volume of coarse woody debris in this stand is 1258 cu ft/ac (88 cu m/ha). The following table provides the number of observations in each diameter and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |2 |3 |

|11 to13 inches |0 |1 |

|Over 19 inches |0 |1 (23 inches) |

Pest Condition

None were observed during the inventory.

Special Features

A hiking trail, known as the “Blue Trail” loops through the stand, entering along the main woods road and following the slope of the hill, along the ridge top. There is a small scenic overlook, with a bench, which looks out across the Winooski River Valley on a clear day. The trail, as the name would suggest, is marked with blue paint. Along the northern section of trail, there is a rock outcropping with several initials carved into it. Several of the initials correspond to previous landowners and caretakers of the property. Though not of archeological significance per se, these initials provide an interesting look into the multitude of individuals who have lived, worked and cared for this forest. They are intrinsically valuable to the university as they offer insight into the human history associated with this forest. The integrity of this site should be maintained as a cultural landmark.

Potential Management Opportunities

Although eastern white pine dominates the medium to large sawtimber classes, the abundance of hardwood sapling regeneration, pole size stems, and small sawtimber suggest that this densely stocked stand is in the process of converting to an uneven age stand. Furthermore, the abundance of sugar maple sapling regeneration in this stand may present an important management opportunity, if future commercially valuable sawtimber production is a management consideration.

Compartment 9

General Description

Situated along the southeastern boundary of the property, Compartment 9 is a patchwork mosaic of native and planted white pine, eastern hemlock, northern hardwoods and plantings of exotic conifers, including Douglas fir and Norway spruce. The compartment is 25 acres (10 ha) in size and composed of four stands. These include from west to east, an eastern white pine, a small red pine plantation, a white pine-hemlock stand, and an eastern hemlock stand. Situated nutrient poor, excessively well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy soils, with a patch of Duane and Deerfield soils, the topography of the compartment is relatively level to slopes of 30%. Although most of the compartment is located on sandy sediment deposited by the glaciers, the northeastern extent of the compartment is situated on glacial till deposits. The elevation rises from 580 ft to 640 ft (177 m to 195 m), with a southern to southeastern aspect. Several steep ephemeral drainages are located along the eastern extent of the compartment. In addition, there are several internal logging roads that traverse north-south through the western extent of the compartment and a main wood road follows the boundary of the compartment to the north.

Overall Past Management Objectives

The overall past management objectives of this compartment have been to improve stem quality and composition towards commercially valuable species for sawtimber production, through student thinnings and silvicultural class exercises. .

Past Management Activities

Past management activities in this compartment have been poorly recorded. A salvage cut of natural white pine infected with red ring rot (Fomes pini) is noted in the 1988 management plan, however no reference is made to year or exact location.

|2000 |Summer- Timber sale of white pine combined harvest with Compartments 10 and 11. |

|2000 |Summer - Chipwood removal combined harvest with Compartments 2, 10 and 11. |

|1995 |Fall-Timber sale of white pine (7.422 MBF). |

Stand: Eastern White Pine

General Description

Along the western boundary of the compartment is a 11 acre (4 ha) stand containing a combination of naturally seed white pine, intermixed with a Norway spruce planting, and remnants of a 1948 white pine plantation. The composition of the stand, by percent basal area, is eastern white pine (54%), northern red oak (21%), red maple (16%), Norway spruce (5%) and paper birch (5%). Advanced regeneration in the sapling size class consists primarily of red maple. The stand is essentially uneven aged, with the some of the white pine reportedly ranging from 90 to 110 years old; the remaining white pine is 60 to 70 years old. Located on Adams and Windsor sandy loam, most of the white pine is of fair to high quality. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 140 ft²/ac (32 m²/ha) and there are 281 stems/ac (695 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 10 in (24 cm). Situated on glacially deposited sandy sediment, terrain is relatively flat with a zero to 10% slope and a southerly aspect. Although this stand may be consider a continuation of the eastern white pine stand in compartment 3, the current composition of the stand has shifted considerably towards northern red oak, due to management activities favoring the development of red oak sawtimber in the area. A main woods road borders the stand to the west and north. The main roads wood to the west is currently being maintained and use as a VAST snowmobile trail.

|Size: 10 acres (4 ha) |Number of Plots: 3 |

|Soils: Dominated by Adams and Windsor Loamy Sand 12% to 30% slope|Forest Type: Eastern White Pine |

|(AdD), with a small patch of AdE, along the southern boundary. | |

|Site Index: 75 (EWP) |Age Structure: Uneven Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Management of this stand has historically centered on improving stem quality and composition of white pine, through thinning and silvicultural class exercises. Furthermore, past management has aimed at promoting the natural regeneration of white pine in the stand. Decomposing stumps provide evidence that this stand has been thinned. Although the specific location and year of harvest is unknown, the 1988-management plan notes that a salvage cut was done in a natural stand of white pine, to remove species with red ring rot (Fomes pini).

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The structural diversity and composition of this stand potentially offers a variety of potential habitat features. The canopy of the stand is of mixed composition with a variable percent cover ranging from 50% to 75%, with patches in the 25% to 50% cover class. The midstory canopy is mixed, and ranges from zero to 25%, with denser patches of regeneration ranging from 25% to 50% cover. The shrub layer is relatively open at zero to 25% cover and is mixed compositionally, although dense patches of hemlock saplings were noted during the inventory. The ground layer cover is dense ranging from 45% to 85% cover, with patches of 5% to 20% cover. Important hard mast species, such as northern red oak (71.5 stems/ac, 176.6765 stems/ha) are present in the stand. Soft mast species in this stand consist of partridgeberry (1% cover). Other habitat features in this stand include slash, live and dead cavity trees, and high and low perches. The volume of coarse woody debris is 897.7 cu ft/ac (62.81207 cu m/ha). The following table is the number of observations of coarse woody debris in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |6 |1 |2 |

|8 to10 inches |1 |0 |0 |

Pest Condition

Red ring rot (Fomes pini) has historically been a problem in this stand.

Special Features

None were observed during inventory.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is stocked with moderate to high quality pole sized to medium sawtimber eastern white pine, with a minor component of remnant large sawtimber. The strong presence of northern red oak in the pole sized to sawtimber classes may present an important management opportunity if encouraging the continued presence of medium to high quality red oak is a management goal. Additionally, the distinct lack of eastern white pine and northern red oak sapling regeneration observed during the inventory may pose important management considerations if promoting these two species as commercially valuable sawtimber is a management goal.

Stand: Red Pine Plantation

General Description

Located in the northeastern corner of the white pine stand is a small red pine plantation, less than an acre in size. The stand is even-aged, dominated by pole size red pine (95%), with a small component of planted white pine (5%), by percent basal area. The dbh of the red pine ranges from 5 inches to 8 inches (13 cm to 20 cm). Most of the red pine is of poor to moderate quality, with sign of bark beetle infection. The stand is dense, with a basal area of acceptable growing stock is 210 ft²/ac (48 m²/ha) and there are 1139 stems/ac (2813/ha). There is sparse regeneration of eastern white pine, eastern hemlock and northern red oak in the understory. The topography of the stand is level, situated at 620 feet (189 m).

|Size: ±0.5 acres (0.2 ha) |Number of Plots: 1 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Sandy Loam 12% to 30% slope (AdD). |Forest Type: Red Pine Plantation |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Even Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on promoting high quality red pine stems for potential future sawtimber production. There appears to be no record of when this stand was planted. However, the estimated stand age based on dbh is approximately 48 years.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

Due to the small size of this stand and the homogeneity in composition and structure, it offers limited habitat potential. This stand offers a dense coniferous canopy closure of 75% to 100% cover. A midstory canopy and shrub layer are distinctly absent in this stand. Ground cover is less than 10%. There are no hard or soft mast species noted during inventory. Other habitat features of note include a low perch and live dead cavity tree. No coarse woody debris was observed.

Pest Condition

The red pine are infected with a bark beetle. Further examination of the stand is needed to determine the extent of the infestation.

Special Features

There are no special features noted in this stand.

Potential Management Opportunity

This stand is overstocked with sapling and pole sized red pine stems. The density of stocking may be limiting the growth and development of red pine sawtimber. Furthermore, development of this stand may be adversely affected by the presence of bark beetles.

Stand: Eastern White Pine- Northern Red Oak with Norway Spruce and Douglas Fir Plantings

General Description

Situated in the center of the compartment, this stand is 6 acres (2 ha) in size and consists of a mixture of native and exotic species. This is reflected in the composition of the stand, by percent basal area, of Norway spruce (28%), northern red oak (25%), eastern white pine (16%), Douglas fir (14%) and sugar maple (5%). Other associates of this stand include red maple, eastern hemlock, paper birch, yellow birch, butternut and black cherry. This is effectively a two-aged stand of pole sized to medium sized sawtimber, with a small component of remnant large white pine and sugar maple sawtimber. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 177 ft²/ac (40 m²/ha) and there are 282 stems/ac (698 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 11 in (28 cm). There is little to no advanced regeneration in the sapling size class. Regeneration of white pine, American beech, eastern hemlock and striped maple were noted in the shrub layer, however the extent to which these species will become established in the understory is unknown. Located on excessively well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy loam, the soil in this stand is slightly enriched by the presence of glacial till deposits. The topography of the stand is quite variable, with benches of level ground between steep drainage basins running north to south through the stand. At the top of the far western drainage is a potential vernal pool, or seep. Although the presence of small pool of water was noted during the inventory, there was no sign of amphibian use. The stand is border by a main roads road to the north. Planted along the road, on the edge of the stand are various exotic conifers, including several different species of fir and spruce. Presumably, these trees were planted as left over seedlings, from previous research experiments.

|Size: 6 acres (2 ha) |Number of Plots: 3 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Sandy Loam 12% to 30% slope (AdD) with |Forest Type: Eastern White Pine- Northern Red Oak |

|a patch of AdE. | |

|Site Index: 70 (EWP) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

The management of this stand has focused on promoting high quality native hardwoods for sawtimber production, through, single tree and small group selection, favoring established mixed native hardwoods. Management in this stand has been limited by steep drainages. There appears to be no record of when the exotic species in this compartment were planted.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The presence of a potential seep may play an important role in potential wildlife habitat in this stand. Although the stand age structure is essentially two-aged, the canopy is multi-layerd, offering a variety of habitats. The canopy cover is relatively dense at 75% to 100% and is composed of softwoods and hardwoods. The midstory canopy cover is dominated by hardwoods, and is patchy, ranging from zero to 25%, and 50% to 75% in areas of thick regeneration. The shrub layer is relatively open with up to 25% cover and is of both deciduous and coniferous composition. The ground layer cover ranges from 15% to 30%, with patches of under 5% cover. Additional wildlife habitat features include slash, high and low perches and dead and live cavity trees. The presence of northern red oak (61 stems/ac, 151 stems/ha), butternut (4 stems/ac, 9 stems/ha), black cherry (2 stems/ac, 6 stems/ha) offers important hard masts. Partridgeberry (5%) offers a source of soft mast in the stand. The volume of coarse woody debris is 433 cubic feet per acre. All the coarse woody debris observed in this stand was in the 5 in to 7 in (13 cm to 18 cm) diameter class, and was in the hard with bark (2 observations), hard without bark (2 observations) or soft without bark (2 observations) decay classes, respectively.

Pest Condition

No pests were observed.

Special Features

The presence of a pool of water at the top of the drainage, along the boundary of a patch of Norway spruce was noted during the inventory. This pool of water may serve as a vernal pool, although no sign of amphibian use was observed. Although the source of the water was not identified, based on the location at the start of a drainage basin, it may be a seep. Further investigation is necessary to determine the source of the water.

Potential Management Opportunities

This is a densely stocked two aged stand in the early stages of converting to an uneven aged stand. The absence of a sapling regeneration cohort may be an important management consideration, especially if development of a uneven aged stand is desired. Furthermore, the presence of northern red oak, paper birch and eastern white pine in the pole to small sawtimber size class may provide important management opportunities, if the transition away from exotic conifers in this stand is a management goal. Furthermore, the presence of large open grown eastern white pine and sugar maple sawtimber may provide important wildlife habitat features and a seed source if future establishment of commercially valuable regeneration is desired.

Stand: Eastern White Pine- Hemlock Stand

General Description

Located in the eastern extent of the compartment, bordering Tarbox Road is a 8 acre (3 ha) eastern white pine-hemlock stand. The stand is dominated by both eastern white pine (39%) and eastern hemlock (33%), by percent basal area. Other associates include red maple (12%) and yellow birch (6%). Northern red oak, sugar maple and striped maple make up minor components of the stand. The stand is essentially, two aged, in the process of converting to an uneven-aged stand structure, with a basal area of acceptable growing stock of 155 ft²/ac (36 m²/ha). There are 1157 stems/ac (2859 stems/ha), influenced greatly by the presence of 917 stems/ac (2265 stems/ha) of striped maple sapling, dominating the advanced regeneration. The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 5 inches (13 cm). Included in this stand is a patch of small to medium sized hardwoods, with pine and hemlock regeneration of moderate to high quality sawtimber. Situated at the base of some of the steepest terrain on the property, the topography of the stand is gently sloping with slopes ranging from 20% to 30%, with a southeastern aspect. Within the stand, the elevation rises 80 ft (24 m) from 580 ft to 640 ft (177 m to 195 m), including small patches of bedrock exposure. Positioned on Adams and Windsor sandy loam, with a patch of Duane and Deerfield soils along the northeastern extent of the stand, the soil is slightly enriched by the presence of glacial till. The eastern edge of the stand borders the eastern property boundary, and parallels a small ephemeral drainage.

|Size: 8 acres (3 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Sandy Loam 12% to 60% slope (AdD and |Forest Type: Eastern white pine-hemlock |

|AdE) and Duane and Deerfield 0 to 5% slope (DdA) | |

|Site Index: 55 (EH) |Age Structure: Two-Aged in the process of converting to an |

| |Uneven-Aged stand |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand is focused on promoting high quality white pine and hemlock for sawtimber production, through single tree and group selection. The most recent harvest in this stand was 2000, during a combined harvest with other compartments. The stand was thinned, using single tree selection, removing white pine and eastern hemlock, in order to promote growth in high quality stems.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The structural diversity and mixed composition of this stand offers a variety of potential wildlife habitat features. Dominated by conifers, the canopy closure is 50% to 75% cover, with patched of 25% to 50% cover. Containing a mixture of conifers and hardwoods, the midstory canopy is variable ranging from 25% to 70%. With a lack of a shrub canopy layer, the ground layer cover is 15% to 30%. Northern red oak (5 stems/ac, 13 stems/ha) provides a source of hard mast in the stand and raspberry (1%) and partridgeberry (1% to 5%) are present as soft mast species. Other habitat features present in the stand include slash, rock outcrops, live and dead cavity trees and high and low perches. The volume of coarse woody debris is 690 cu ft/ac (48 cu m/ha). The following is a table of the number of observations in each diameter and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard without Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |2 |4 |

|8 to10 inches |0 |1 |

Pest Condition

No sign of pests was observed.

Special Features

There are no special features in this stand to note.

Potential Management Opportunities

The abundance of striped maple sapling regeneration in this stand may present an important management consideration if the development of a commercially valuable regeneration cohort is a management goal. Management opportunities in this stand include densely stocked pole size to small sawtimber eastern white pine and eastern hemlock stems. In addition, a small component of hardwoods, including red maple northern red oak, sugar maple, and yellow birch in the pole to small sawtimber classes may provide future management opportunities

Compartment 10

General Description

Located directly north of Compartment 9, Compartment 10 is approximately 42 acres (17 ha). The compartment is composed of two native mixed northern hardwood stands and two exotic plantations. The stands include an eastern hemlock stand, a mixed hardwood stand, a Douglas fir plantation and a Norway spruce plantation. The topography of the compartment varies from gently sloping to steep, rising to a hilltop at 820 ft (250 m), the highest point on the property. Most of the compartment has a southern to southeastern to eastern aspect, with slopes ranging 20% to 45%. However, on the northeastern side of the hilltop, the topography is relatively level to gently sloping, with slopes ranging from 5% to 10% and a north to northwestern aspect. A network of main woods roads, as well as several narrower internal logging roads surrounds the compartment. However, steep slopes limit access to several areas within the compartment. Of special interest in this compartment is a shift in the properties, bedrock and surficial geology. The western boundary of the compartment in part serves as the divide between the Pinnacle and Underhill bedrock formations, described under physical features. Furthermore, the surficial geology of the compartment shifts from the dominant littoral sandy sediment to glacial till. The presence of glacial till in this compartment is important ecologically, as it may influence vegetation communities, but also operationally, as it may limit equipment operability in certain areas of the compartment.

Overall Past Management Objectives

The overall management objective in this compartment have focused on improving the quality of hardwood and softwood stems for sawtimber and pulpwood production. In addition, management in this compartment has focused on maintaining the exotic conifers, especially Douglas fir as examples of how this species grows at lower elevations of the Champlain Valley Biophysical region.

Past Management Activities

Current management activities in this compartment include a long-term research demonstration project conducted by professor, Dr. William Keeton. The demonstration areas are part of a larger research project using silvicultural treatments as a tool for developing old growth structural attributes in managed forests. Within the compartment, there is one treatment units, and portions of a second, which overlaps with Compartment 11. The following is a summary of other management activities that have taken place in the compartment.

|2002 |Fall- Chipwood removal combined harvest with Compartments 3 and 6 |

|2002 |Fall – Timber sale of white pine combined harvest with Compartments 3 and 6. |

|2000 |Summer Timber sale- white pine combined harvest with Compartments 9 and 11 |

|2000 |Summer- Chipwood removed combined harvest with Compartments 2,9 and 11. |

|1997 |Summer- Firewood removal combined harvest with Compartments 3 and 11. |

|1997 |Summer- timber sale red of red oak (1.845 MBF) |

|1997 |Summer- Timber sale of hardwoods (2.359 MBF) |

|1997 |Summer- Chipwood removal combined harvest with Compartment 11 |

|1997 |Winter- Timber sale of white pine, combined harvest with Compartment 3 |

|1991 |Summer- harvest of white pine pulpwood combined with Compartments 2,6,8,11 and 12. |

|1982 |Thinning and cleaning by students in hemlock-hardwood |

|1980 |Timber sale combined harvest with Compartments 1, 2 and 3. softwood, hardwood and firewood removed |

|1979 |Timber sale combined harvest with Compartments 1, 2 and 3. softwood, hardwood and firewood removed |

|1969 |Timber sale combined harvest with Compartments 3 and 11, softwood removed |

Stand: Eastern Hemlock

General Description

Located along the northern boundary of the compartment is an approximately 11 acre (4 ha) stand dominated by eastern hemlock (48%), with hardwood associations including sugar maple (18%), northern red oak (9%), bitternut hickory (9%), American basswood (5%) and paper birch (5%), by percent basal area. Minor associates of this stand include ironwood, butternut and slippery elm. Advanced regeneration in the sapling size class is predominantly eastern hemlock. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 132 ft²/ac (30 m²/ha). There are 504 stems/ac (116 stems/ha) and the diameter of the tree of average basal area is 7 in (18 cm). The stand is essentially two-aged, and was historically managed as part of the original farm woodlot during the 1900’s. The northeastern portion of the stand extends into a portion of the old farm sugarbush. Most of the hemlock and hardwood is of fair to moderate quality. Steep, rocky slopes, with areas of exposed bedrock define the topography of this stand. Some of this rocky terrain is composed of glacial till, which provides slight localized enrichment to the Peru Extremely Stony Loam and Adams and Windsor sandy loam soils. With slopes of 45%, this stand has an eastern aspect.

|Size: 11 acres (4 ha) |Number of Plots: 4 |

|Soils: Peru Extremely Stony Loam 0 to 20% slope (PsC) with some |Forest Type: Eastern Hemlock ( SAF#23) |

|patches of Adams and Windsor sandy loam (AdE) | |

|Site Index: 55 (EH) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Management of this stand has focused on improving stem quality of commercially valuable hardwood and hemlock for sawtimber production. Due to the steepness and rockiness of slopes in the eastern edge of the stand, management operations are limited. Management of this stand has been predominantly focused on improving stem quality and composition. Although the timing last entry into this stand is not known, stumps were observed during the inventory indicate that the stand was thinned, using single tree selection, within the last 10 to 20 years.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy closure in this stand is quite variable and offers a variety of different habitat potentials. In the relatively level northern portion of the stand, a dense canopy of eastern hemlock ranges from 75% to 100% cover. However, along the steep rocky slopes, the mixed canopy opens up with an average percent cover ranging from 51% to 75% cover. This pattern is further observed in the midstory canopy. There is relatively little to no midstory canopy under dense hemlock; however, to the east, along the steep slope, midstory canopy ranged from 50% to 100%, and is composed of mixed species. The shrub layer cover ranges from zero to 20%, while the ground cover ranges from zero to 25%, with some patches of relatively dense ground cover up to 65%. Important hard mast species, such as northern red oak (6 stems/ac, 16 stems/ha), bitternut hickory (21 stems/ac, 52 stems/ha), butternut (3 stems/ac, 7 stems/ha), and ironwood (13 stems/ac, 31 stems/ha) are present in the stand. Soft mast species in this stand consist of partridgeberry (1%). Other habitat features in this stand include a 20% rock cover, slash, possible seeps, live and dead cavity trees, and high and low perches. The volume of coarse woody debris is 272 cubic feet per acre. The following table is the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |1 |2 |0 |

|8 to10 inches |0 |0 |1 |

Pest Condition

No pest conditions were observed during the inventory.

Special Features

Situated on glacial till deposits, the assemblages of tree and herbaceous species found in this stand suggest slight soil enrichment. Indicators in the canopy include sugar maple, white ash, butternut, bitternut hickory, and basswood. Herbaceous indicators found in the ground cover layer include, blue cohosh, white baneberry, maidenhair fern, Indian cucumber root, and hepatica. The nutrient enrichment in this stand is may be a result of the colluvial processes occurring along the rocky steep slope, occurring is combination with slightly calcareous glacial till, originating from the dolomites and limestone of the Champlain Valley.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is essentially a two aged stand stocked with predominantly eastern hemlock sapling regeneration and eastern hemlock and sugar maple small sawtimber. Although there is a small component of paper birch sapling regeneration, the lack of sugar maple in the sapling and pole size regeneration classes may be an important management consideration, especially since localized enrichment in the soils may promote high quality sugar maples in this stand.

Stand: Beech-Sugar Maple

General Description

Situated in the center of the compartment this stand has a white pine-hemlock association. The composition of the stand includes American beech (21%), paper birch (16%), sugar maple (13%), eastern white pine (13%), eastern hemlock (10%), ironwood (7%) and big tooth aspen (7%), by percent basal area. Minor associates of this stand include northern red oak, red maple, white ash and yellow birch. American beech, sugar maple and white ash dominate the advanced regeneration of the sapling size class. Situated on Agawam Fine sandy loam, and Adams and Windsor sandy loam, with low natural fertility, the soil in this stand has been slightly enriched by the presence of glacial till deposited during the retreat of the glaciers. Along the western boundary of the stand, composition shifts towards a white pine dominated canopy, then grades into some overlap of the Scots pine plantations. Although no inventory plots were conducted in this area, Scots pine regeneration, in small open patches was noted during a traverse of the area. Basal area of acceptable growing stock is 124 ft²/ac (28 m²/ha) and there are 400 stems/ac (988 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 8 in (20 cm). The stand is two-aged in the process of converting to an uneven age structure, with fair to moderate quality small to medium sawtimber. The topography of the stand is variable, although moderate to steep slopes ranging from 5% to 30%, with a southern to southeastern aspect are common. The terrain extending north-west of the stand rises steep to the highest point on the property peaking to 820 ft (250 m) to a hilltop, which levels off. An old logging road traverses the stand through the southwest corner and runs north along the western boundary of the stand.

|Size: 24 acres (10 ha) |Number of Plots: 8 |

|Soils: Agawam Fine Sandy Loam (AgD) 12% to 30% slopes and Adams |Forest Type: Beech-Sugar Maple with a white pine-hemlock |

|and Windsor loamy sands 12% to 30% (AdE) |association (SAF #60) |

|Site Index: 55 (RM) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

The management of this stand has historically focused on improving the composition and stem quality of hardwoods for potential future sawtimber production. Recent management activity in the stand includes one of four treatment units of Dr. William Keeton’s long-term research project. The unit was treated in the winter of 2002-2003, according to the specifications of the research. Additional silvicultural treatments in the stand include several commercial thinning of hardwood.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The structural diversity in this stand offers a variety of potential habitats. Deciduous hardwoods predominantly dominate the canopy, although along the southern boundary of the stand there are patches of coniferous canopy cover. The canopy cover is 51% to 75%. The midstory canopy is deciduous with a great deal of variation, including patches of dense cover of 75% to 100%, patches of light to moderate canopy cover of 25% to 50%, and patches of relatively open midstory under 25%. The shrub layer cover ranges from zero to 25%, with some areas of denser cover, up to 40%. Ground layer cover ranges from zero to 15%, with dense patches of 40% to 80% cover. Important hard mast species present in this stand include northern red oak (2.2 stems/ac, 5.4362 stems/ha) and ironwood (37.2stems/ac, 91.9212 stems/ha). Soft mast species present in this stand include partridgeberry (1% to 5%). Other habitat features of note include slash, potential seeps, high and low perches and live and dead cavity trees. The volume of coarse woody debris is 840 cu ft/ac (59 cu m/ha). The following table provides the number of observation in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |4 |3 |1 |8 |

|8 to10 inches |1 |0 |0 |2 |

|11 to 13 inches |0 |0 |1 |1 |

Pest Condition

No pest conditions were noted during inventory.

Special Features

Signs of slight enrichment were observed in this stand, although not as prevalent as found in the Hemlock stand. Indicators observed in this stand include blue cohosh, sugar maple, white ash, and bitternut hickory. The glacial till that comprise the surficial geology of the area is may be contributing to nutrient enrichment in the soil, as discussed in the hemlock stand. In addition, several potential seeps/vernal pools were identified in the northwestern extent of the stand. The presence of amphibians was noted in one of the pools.

In addition, a small patch of red spruce was observed in this stand, while pacing between plots. Located along the eastern boundary of the stand, the patch of red spruce is dense, and situated in a small clearing, suggesting it may have been planted.

Potential Management Opportunity

This stand is densely stocked with northern hardwoods, with a small component of eastern hemlock and white pine. The presence of sugar maple across the size classes in this stand offers important management opportunities. In particular, the presence of American beech, sugar maple and white ash sapling regeneration may be an important management consideration. Additionally, the predominance of paper birch pole sized stems may provide further management opportunities if sawtimber production is a future management goal. The abundance of ironwood pole stems may provide important wildlife management considerations.

Stand: White Pine-Norway Spruce Plantation

General Description

In the northwestern corner of the compartment is a stand of naturally seeded in eastern white pine and planted Norway spruce. Eastern white pine dominates the canopy at 57% of the basal area. Norway spruce comprises 34%, with striped maple comprising 9% of the basal area. Essentially an even aged stand in the process of converting to a two-aged stand, advanced regeneration is dominated by striped maple. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 160 ft²/ac (37 m²/ha) and there are 458 stems/ac (1133 stems/ha), strongly influenced by 306 stems/ac (755 stems/ha) of striped maple. The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 8 inches (20 cm). White pine and Norway spruce stems are mostly in the small sawtimber size class and of moderate to high quality. The age of the white pine is estimated at 60-70 years old. Situated on excessively well-drained Adams and Windsor sandy loam over top of glacial till deposits, the topography of the stand is relatively level, to gently sloping at slopes up to 10%.

|Size: 5 acres (2 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Sandy Loam 12% to 30% slopes (AdD) |Forest Type: White Pine- Norway Spruce Plantation |

|Site Index: 70 (NS) |Age Structure: Even-aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on promoting high quality white pine and Norway spruce stems, through thinning for sawtimber and pulpwood production, while encouraging a future component of white pine in the stand. The most recent harvest in this stand was in 2000/2002. During the harvest, the pine was heavily thinned, using single tree and small group selection cuts.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The presence of a potential vernal pool may play an important role in potential wildlife habitat in this stand. Although the stand age structure is essentially two-aged, the canopy is multi-layered. The canopy cover is relatively ranges from 26% to 50% and is dominated by conifers. The midstory canopy cover is mostly deciduous, though variable. Midstory canopy closure was estimated at zero to 25%, with patches of dense cover ranging from 75% to 100%. The shrub layer is relatively open, up to 25% cover, and is composed of deciduous species. Ground layer cover is dense ranging from 75% to 80%, with patches of 30% cover. Although no hard mast species observed in this stand, raspberries and black raspberries were observed at 15% to 20% ground layer cover, and noted in dense patches to the south of the vernal pool. Additional wildlife habitat features include high and low perches and dead and live cavity trees. The volume of coarse woody debris is 908 cu ft/ac (64 cu m/ha). The following table provides the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |2 |1 |

|11 to 13 inches |1 |0 |

Pest Condition

None observed during inventory.

Special Features

Special features observed in this stand include the potential vernal pool located in the northwestern corner of the stand. Although no evidence of amphibian use was observed during the inventory, the pool is approximately 6 inches deep, 20 to 30 feet wide, and 40 to 50 feet long. Although the area is marked as woodlot in the 1937 land use map (Map_), the potential vernal pool may be a relic of the early 1900s pasturing of sheep across the Research Forest. Evidence of a channel, which acts as an outlet to the pool, suggests that it may have been manmade and served as a small pond to provide water for pastured animals. Another possible explanation for the channel may be that it was drained at one point. Regardless of its origin, it potentially serves as an important wildlife habitat.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is essentially even age with a strong presence of striped maple sapling regeneration. The dense stocking of moderate to high quality eastern white pine pole sized to medium sawtimber may provide important management opportunities. However the abundance of striped maple sapling regeneration and lack of other hardwoods in the regeneration cohort, may present important management considerations if development of a two-aged stand of commercially valuable species is desirable. In addition, management considerations may include the establishment of a 50-foot no management activity around the potential vernal pool in order to promote this potentially important habitat and limit alteration of the hydrological processes and substrate.

Stand: Douglas Fir Plantation

General Description

Located along the southern extent of the compartment is a small Douglas fir plantation. Douglas fir (49%) dominates the stand, although eastern white pine (39%) is a major component of the stand. Other associations include quaking aspen, sugar maple and red maple. The stand is essentially even aged of pole to small sawtimber sized trees. Situated on excessively well drained Adams and Windsor sandy loam, most of the Douglas fir is of poor to fair quality. Advanced regeneration in this stand is comprised of predominantly red maple. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 160 ft²/ac (37 m²/ac) and there are 444 stems/ac (1097 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 9 inches (22 cm). The stand is border to the south by a main woods road, and divided by an old logging road that runs north through the compartment.

|Size: 1 acres (0.5 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor Sandy Loam 12% to 30% (AdD) |Forest Type: Douglas Fir Plantation |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Even Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on promoting the growth of Douglas fir as an example of how this species grows at low elevation along the outer limits of the Champlain Valley. The Douglas fir in this stand was planted in 1951-1953 as part of an experiment to study the growth of this species in this bioregion. Several varieties were planted in order to test survival and growth rates. Varieties of Douglas fir planted at this site include, 2,134 seedlings of a mountain variety (Idaho seed source) and 1,649 seedlings of a coastal variety (British Columbia seed source). The 1953 planting was of 771 seedlings a mountain variety from a Montana seed source.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy cover of this stand is 50% to 75%, and composed primarily of conifers. The midstory canopy is patchy, composed of mostly deciduous species and ranging from zero to 25%, with patches of coniferous midstory cover. The shrub layer is composed of mixed species, and ranges form zero to 25%. Ground cover ranges from 10% to 10% cover. No hard or soft mast species were found in the inventory, although patches of raspberry bushes are scattered along the edges of the stand. Other habitat features present in the stand include low perches. The volume of coarse woody debris is 305 cu ft/ac (21 cu m/ha). Observations of coarse woody debris were in the 5 to 7 in (13 cm to 18 cm) class and hard, without bark.

Pest Condition

The Douglas fir is of poor to fair quality and was noted to have only 75% crown condition in several individual trees. Historically, this stand has been heavily infected with a needle cast fungus, Rabdocline pseudotsuga.

Special Features

There are no special features in this stand to note.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is densely stocked with pole size to small sawtimber size Douglas fir and eastern white pine. The density of stocking in the stand may be limiting the development of larger size classes. The large number of eastern white pine pole size and small sawtimber stems poses important management opportunities if the transition towards a commercially valuable native species composition is desirable. Red maple sapling regeneration also offers important management consideration for potential future stand development.

Compartment 11

General Description

Approximately 35 acres (14 ha) in size, Compartment 11 are composed of an assemblage of mixed northern hardwoods. Three stands, a sugar maple stand, a hemlock stand and a mixed hardwood stand are arranged across the compartment. Situated on a mosaic of well drained soils, the compartment is composed of Duane and Deerfield soils, Peru extremely stony sandy loam, Agawam fine sandy loam, and Adams and Windsor sandy loam. Although a majority of the compartment is located on glacially deposited sandy sediment, the southeastern extent of the compartment is located on a small patch of glacial till. Furthermore, in compartment 11, there is a transition of bedrock type, from the Pinnacle formation, which makes up a narrow band along the western edge to the Underhill formation which makes up a majority of this compartment. Bordering Tarbox Road to the north, the topography of the compartment is gently sloping at slopes ranging from 5% to 25% with a northwestern to northeastern aspect. Some of the steepest terrain in the compartment is located along the eastern boundary where the steep rocky slopes of compartment 10 continue north to south through the compartment. The elevation rises from 600 ft (183 m) along the northern border of the compartment to 800 ft (244 m) in the southeastern corner. Of special significance in this compartment is the presence of an uncommon grass, drooping bluegrass (Poa saltuensis). The plant has a state rank of S2 to S3, and was identified in 2001, by Bob Popp, a state ecologist.

Past Management Objectives

The overall past management objective in this compartment has focused on improving the quality of white pine and sugar maple stems through removing white pine stems infected with red rot, and sugar maple stems infected with maple borer, for sawtimber and sugarbush production.

Past Management Activities

Part of the original farm woodlot, there is a long history of management in this compartment. Several salvage cuts have been recorded in this compartment, primarily of white pine following the 1952 hurricane and more recently due to red ring rot (Fomes pini). Current management activities of this compartment include a long-term research demonstration project conducted by professor, Dr. William Keeton, as part of a larger research project on using silvicultural treatments as a tool for developing old growth structural attributes in managed forests. Past research conducted in this compartment includes two small plantings, a 1.3 ac (0.5 ha), 1970 of black cherry planting for province testing and a 1971, 0.5 ac (0.2 ha) planting of black walnut, for survival and growth studies.

|2003 |Summer- Timber sale white pine (4.403 MBF removed) |

|2003 |Summer-Chipwood removal (37.83 tons) |

|2003 |Summer- Timber sale of white ash (984 MBF harvested) |

|2003 |Summer- Timber sale red oak, maple, cherry 4.846 MBF harvested) |

|2003 |Summer- Combined Timber sale with Compartment 1, hardwoods removed |

|2003 |Summer- Timber sale hemlock (2.081 MBF harvested) |

|2003 |Summer- Timber sale of red oak (4.955 MBF harvested) |

|2000 |Summer- Combined Timber harvest of white pine |

|2000 |Summer- Timber sale red oak (1.825 MBF) |

|2000 |Summer- Timber sale red oak and sugar maple (2.704 MBF) |

|2000 |Summer- Combined Chipwood removal Compartments 2,9 and 10 |

|1999 |Summer- Combined red oak and sugar maple harvest with Compartment 12 |

|1997 |Summer- Firewood harvest combined with Compartment 3 and 10 |

|1996 |Fall- Combined white pine timber sale with Compartment 12 (26.151 MBF) |

|1996 |Fall- Combined red oak timber sale with Compartment 12 (24.412MBF) |

|1996 |Fall- Combined white ash timber sale with Compartment 12 (1.362 MBF) |

|1991 |Summer- Pulpwood harvest of white pine combined with Compartment 2,6,8,10 and 12 (150.22 cords) |

|1990 |Fall/Winter- Timber sale of white pine (95.127 MBF) |

|1987 |Thinning by students |

|1978 |Thinning by students south of Tarbox Road, also thinned white pine stand at eastern end of Tarbox Road |

|1976 |Thinning by students south end of Tarbox Road |

|1971 |Continuation of 1969 Timber sale combined with compartments 3 and 10, hardwoods and softwoods removed |

|1969 |Timber sale combined with compartments 3 and 10, hardwoods and softwoods removed |

|1968 |Clearcut 2 acres of old farm sugarbush for black cherry provenance testing (22 MBF hardwoods removed) |

|1951 |Salvage cut from hurricane blowdown (northern side of Research Forest, 201.425 MBF removed) |

Stand: Eastern Hemlock Stand

General Description

A continuation of the northern stand of eastern hemlock through compartment 10, this approximately 4 acre (2 ha) stand of hemlock is situated along the compartment boundary along Tarbox Road. This stand is dominated by eastern hemlock (57%), with hardwood associations including red maple (19%), white ash (10%), paper birch (5%), quaking aspen (5%) and northern red oak (5%), by percent basal area. This stand is essentially two-aged composed of eastern hemlock advanced regeneration, and mixed hardwood small to medium sized sawtimber. Situated on Duane and Deerfield soils with very low natural fertility and moisture availability, the quality of the sawtimber is fair to moderate quality. Although most of the stand is located on top of sandy sediment deposited during the retreat of the glacier, there is a small area in the southeastern corner of the stand of glacial till. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 105 ft²/ac (24 m²/ha). There are 148 stems/ac (366 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 11 inches (29 cm). The topography of the stand is relatively flat, with slopes averaging 5%. A woods road follows the eastern boundary of the stand, providing internal access.

|Size: 4 acres (2 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Duane and Deerfield soils 10% to 20% slope (DdC) |Forest Type: Eastern Hemlock (SAF #23) |

|Site Index: 50 (EH) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on improving stem quality of commercially valuable hardwood and hemlock sawtimber. The hurricane of 1952 severely damaged many of the stands in the northeastern portion of the property. Although there is no specific evidence as to a major blowdown event in this stand, there is a record of small patches of blowdowns in the compartment. The presence of patches of pole-sized hardwood along the southwestern boundary of the stand, may suggest that blowdown events have influenced the compositional and structural development of the stand.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy closure in this stand is variable. In areas with a string hardwood component, canopy cover ranges from zero to 25%, and in areas dominated by eastern hemlock, canopy cover ranges from 75% to 100%. The midstory canopy is generally open, in the zero to 25% cover class. Shrub layer cover ranges from zero to 15% and consists of deciduous species. The ground layer is quite dense, especially for the hemlock canopy, ranging from 50% to 90%, with patches of under 25% cover. Hard mast species found in the stand include, northern red oak (4.1 stems/ac, 10.1311 stems/ha). Soft mast species in this stand consist of raspberry (1%) and partridgeberry (5%). Other habitat features in this stand include rock piles, dead cavity trees, and high and low perches. The volume of coarse woody debris is 777.5 cu ft/ac (54.40168 cu m/ha). The following table is of the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|8 to 10 inches |0 |1 |

|11 to13 inches |1 |0 |

Pest Condition

None observed during inventory.

Special Features

Two one acre heavy cut demonstration plots are located in the northeast corner of the stand in order to show the effect of the Heavy Cut Regulations passed by the Vermont legislature in 1997-1998. The following is a summary of the 100% inventory conducted before and after each treatment, the information is also provided on the kiosk. The demonstration area was treated in 1999.

|Treatment Stocking Level |Number of stems per acre |Pre-treatment Basal Area |Mean Stand Diameter |Residual Basal Area |

|B- line |246 |119.2 |9.6 |110 |

|C-line |212 |104.6 |9.5 |80 |

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is essentially two aged with a small component of eastern hemlock sapling regeneration and more densely stocked pole size to small sawtimber size classes. A small cohort of hardwood pole size to small sawtimber size stems, including red maple, white ash, and paper birch may provide future management considerations. The relative scarcity of sapling regeneration may provide important management considerations if the development of an uneven aged stand is desired.

Stand: Sugar Maple

General Description

Originally part of the old farm sugarbush, this approxtimately 6 acre (3 ha) stand is dominated, by percent basal area, with sugar maple (54%). White ash comprises the second most dominant species at 20% basal area. Minor components of the stand composition include eastern hemlock, red maple, ironwood, paper birch, black cherry, American beech, big tooth aspen, basswood and butternut. White ash and red maple make up the advanced regeneration in the sapling size class. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 108 ft²/ac (25m²/ha). There are 202 stems/ac (498 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 10 inches (26 cm). The stand is predominantly two-aged, although there are a few remaining large diameter sugar maples that may comprise of a third age class. Predominately located on Peru extremely sandy loam with a narrow band of Agawam fine sandy loam along the western boundary of the stand, the soils are slightly enriched by glacial till present along the southeastern extent of the stand. The sugar maple is primarily small to medium sized and of fair to moderate sawtimber quality. The topography of the stand is gently to moderately sloping with slopes of 15%, with a northeastern to eastern aspect. The slopes are considerably steeper and rockier along the western boundary of the stand, where slopes range from 25% to 30%, with some areas of exposed bedrock. A main woods road that runs along the eastern boundary of the stand accesses the stand.

|Size: 6 acres (3 ha) |Number of Plots: 4 |

|Soils: Peru extremely stony sandy loam 0% to 20% slope (PsC), and|Forest Type: Sugar Maple (SAF #27) |

|Agawam fine sandy loam 12% to 30% slope (AgD) | |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

The management of this stand has historically focused on improving sugar maple stem quality, and thinning to promote future sugar maple component to the stand, for maple sugaring production. Originally part of the old farm sugarbush, the composition of this stand has been greatly altered after agricultural abandonment. The stand has been thinned in order to promote the growth and regeneration of sugar maple for continued maple syrup operations, as well as to remove stems damaged by the maple sugar borer. Currently, Essex VoTEC students, using plastic pipeline tap this stand. The sap is transported off site to the Maple-Proctor research lab for boiling.

The last entry into this stand was in 1999, when the stand was thinned, using single tree selection.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

Although compositionally, the canopy of this stand is relatively homogeneous, it is made up of multiple layers. The canopy is composed of deciduous species and is predominantly in the 50% to 75% cover class, although there are patches of 25% to 50% cover. The midstory canopy is mixed and ranges from zero to 25% cover, with patches of 25% to 50% cover. The shrub layer is predominantly deciduous and patchy ranging from zero to 35% cover, with areas of denser cover up to 75%. The ground layer cover is zero to 25%, with patches of 40% to 70% cover. Important hard mast species present in this stand include ironwood (12 stems/ac, 29 stems/ha) and butternut (1 stem/ac, 2 stems/ha). Soft mast species present in this stand include partridgeberry (1%). Other habitat features of note include rock cover, potential seeps, high and low perches and live and dead cavity trees. The volume of coarse woody debris is 300 cubic feet per acre (21 cu.m/ha). The following chart provides the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |1 |

|11 to13 inches |1 |

Pest Condition

Maple sugar borer has historically infected large portions of this stand.

Special Features

A small area along the internal access road in the stand was identified as a potential seep during the inventory.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is essentially a two aged stand with a strong component of sugar maple across the pole to large sawtimber size classes. Although there a carpet of sugar maple seedling was observed, there appears to be a lack of established sugar maple saplings in this stand. This may present important management considerations if continued management of this stand as a sugarbush is desired. The abundance of white ash sapling regeneration may present an important management consideration in this stand.

Stand: White Pine-Hemlock-Northern Hardwoods

General Description

The remaining approximately 24 acres (10 ha) of this compartment is composed of mixed hardwoods. Eastern hemlock (20%) and eastern white pine (12%) with a strong hardwood association including, red maple (19%), sugar maple (13%), ironwood (9%) yellow birch (6%) and paper birch (5%), by percent basal area. Minor hardwood components of the stand include white ash, quaking aspen, American elm, black cherry, American beech, and American basswood. Advanced regeneration in the sapling size class is predominantly eastern hemlock, sugar maple, ironwood and quaking aspen. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 105 ft²/ac (24 m²/ha), and there are 696 stems/ac (1720 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 6 inches (15 cm). The stand is essentially two-aged in the process of converting to uneven aged structure, with a small component of eastern hemlock in the large sawtimber size class. Located on a mosaic of sandy loam, well-drained soils, the surficial geology of the stand is predominantly sandy sediment. However, along the southeastern extent of the stand is an area of glacial till, which provides localized enrichment to the otherwise nutrient and moisture poor soil. The hardwood and white pine is of moderate to high quality and predominantly small to medium sawtimber. Probably seeding in after the area was abandoned as pasture, the estimated age of the white pine in this stand is approximately 100 years. In fact, in 1937, the stand was managed as a farm woodlot (Map). The topography of this stand is defined by gentle to moderate slopes of 5% to 15%, and rocky terrain, due to the presence of glacial till.

|Size: 24 acres (10 ha) |Number of Plots: 6 |

|Soils: Adams and Windsor sandy loam 12% to 30% slope (AdD), with |Forest Type: White Pine-Hemlock (SAF#22) |

|some overlap of Agawam fine sandy loam 12% to 30% slope (AgD), | |

|and Duane and Deerfield soils, 12% to 20% slope (DdC) | |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on promoting high quality white pine and northern hardwoods for sawtimber production. The composition in this stand was greater altered by the 1952 hurricane which blow down much of the white pine that once dominated this former portion of the farm woodlot. Following the blowdown event, much of the white pine was harvested during a salvage cut. More recently, salvage cutting of white pine in this stand was done in order to recover trees damaged by red rot. The last entry into this stand was in 2000 and 2003. This treatment was aimed at thinning the hardwood through small group selection cuts.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The mixed composition, and structural diversity of this stand offers a variety of potential wildlife habitat features. The canopy cover is relatively dense with patches of both 50% to 75% cover and 75% to 100% cover. The midstory canopy is predominantly deciduous with a variable canopy cover ranging from zero to 25%, with patches of 25% to 50% cover and 50% to 75% cover. The shrub layer is relatively open with patches of 15% to 25% cover and composed of mixed deciduous and coniferous species. Ground layer cover is also relatively open averaging 35% to 60%, with areas of zero to 15% cover. Hard mast species observed in this stand include American beech (4 stems/ac, 9 stems/ha) and ironwood (55 stems/ac, 136 stems/ha). Soft mast species observed includes raspberry (5%) and partridgeberry (1%). Additional wildlife habitat features include rock cover, rock piles, high and low perches and dead and live cavity trees. The volume of coarse woody debris is 575 cu ft/ac (40 cu m/ha). The following table provides the number of observations in each diameter and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |4 |1 |0 |3 |

|8 to10 inches |1 |0 |0 |1 |

|11 to13 inches |0 |0 |1 |0 |

Pest Condition

The white pine in the southwestern corner of this stand has been historically infected with red ring rot (Fomes pini).

Special Features

Two one acre heavy cut demonstration plots are located in the northeast corner of the stand in order to show the effect of the Heavy Cut Regulations passed by the Vermont legislature in 1997-1998. The following is a summary of the 100% inventory conducted before and after each treatment, the information is also provided on the kiosk. The demonstration area was treated in 1999.

|Treatment Stocking Level |Number of stems per acre |Pre-treatment Basal Area |Mean Stand Diameter |Residual Basal Area |

|B- line |188 |91.8 |9.47 |63 |

|C-line |232 |103.4 |9.04 |47 |

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is in the process of converting to an uneven aged structure. The stand is stocked with eastern hemlock, red maple, eastern white pine, yellow birch and paper birch pole sized stems. In addition the presence of sugar maple and yellow birch in the small sawtimber size class may provide management opportunities if future sawtimber production is a management consideration. The presence of remnant eastern white pine and eastern hemlock dominating the medium to large sawtimber size classes may provide important seed source. Additionally, the large presence of eastern hemlock, sugar maple, and quaking aspen sapling regeneration may provide important management opportunities if development of an uneven aged stand is desirable. Lastly, the presence of ironwood across the size classes may be an important wildlife habitat consideration, due to its importance as a mast species.

Compartment 12

General Description

Located along the north side of Tarbox Road, Compartment 12 is 24.7 acres (10.0 ha) in size. The compartment is composed of three stands, including a white pine stand, a mixed hardwood stand and an eastern hemlock stand. The topography of the compartment is variable, although the aspect is consistently north to northeast. In the northwestern portion of the compartment, the terrain is steep, with slopes averaging 30% to 40%. Dramatically sloping down to Mill Brook, the elevation in this area drops from 580 ft to 520 ft (177 m to 159 m). The remainder of the compartment is relatively flat to gently sloping at slopes of 5% to 10%. The elevation changes gradually from 580 ft to 540 ft (177 m to 165 m). In the northern tip of the compartment, there is a small band of lake bottom surficial geology deposit, the only such deposit located in the Research Forest. The remainder of the compartment is situated on littoral sand sediment, deposited by the glacier. Additionally, underlying the diversity of vegetative communities found in this compartment are nine different types of soils. Within the compartment, there are several internal access roads, and recreational trails.

Past Management Objectives

The management of this compartment has historically focused on improving stem quality of white pine and northern hardwoods through student thinning. Due to the combination of steep slopes and proximity to Mill Brook, access is limited in the northeastern portion of the compartment.

Past Management Activities

Students conducting class exercises in cleaning and thinning class have actively used this compartment. In addition, the composition of the compartment was greatly influenced by the hurricane of 1952. Where white pine once dominated, northern hardwoods have reclaimed portions of the compartment.

|1999 |Summer- Chipwood removal combined with Compartments 4 and 7 |

|1999 |Summer- Timber sale combined with Compartment 11 of red oak and sugar maple |

|1996 |Winter- Timber sale poplar 6.090 MBF removed |

|1996 |Fall- Combined white pine timber sale with Compartment 11 (26.151 MBF) |

|1996 |Fall- Combined red oak timber sale with Compartment 11 (24.412MBF) |

|1996 |Fall- Combined white ash timber sale with Compartment 11 (1.362 MBF) |

|1991 |Summer- Harvest of white pine pulp combined with Compartments 2,6,8,10 and 11 |

|1990 |Winter- Timber sale of white pine (31.654 MBF harvested) |

|1987 |Thinning by students |

|1983 |Thinning and cleaning in sapling hardwood and white pine, east end of Tarbox Road |

|1978 |Timber sale combined with Compartment 3, softwood, hardwood and firewood removed |

|1977 |Thinning and cleaning by students |

|1971 |Continuation of 1969 timber sale combined with Compartments 3, 10 and 11, hardwood, softwood and firewood removed |

|1969 |Timber sale combined with Compartments 3, 10 and 11, hardwood, softwood and firewood removed |

|1951 |Salvage cut of hurricane blowdowns, north side of Research Forest (201.425 MBF harvested) |

Stand: Eastern White Pine Stand

General Description

In the southeastern corner of the compartment is a stand of pure white pine (97%), with a minor component of pole size red maple (3%), by percent basal area. Silvicultural class students have actively thinned and cleaned the stand to the extent that it resembles a plantation. However, the white pine in this stand naturally seeded in between 1941 and 1945, after the area was abandoned as pasture (Map). The approximately 2 acres (1 ha) stand is situated on well drained, Duane and Deerfield soils, which are naturally low in fertility, and the white pine of moderate to high quality. The topography of the stand is level to slightly sloping up to 5%, with a northeast aspect. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 150 ft²/ac (34 m²/ac), and there are 175 stems/ac (433 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 12 inches (32 cm). The stand is even aged and there is little to no advanced regeneration in the stand. Cinnamon fern, interrupted fern, and small patches of hay-scented fern dominate the understory.

|Size: 2 acres (1 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Duane and Deerfield soils 0 to 5% slope (DdA) |Forest Type: Eastern White Pine (SAF #21) |

|Site Index: 65 (EWP) |Age Structure: Even aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on improving stem quality of white pine for sawtimber production, while promoting educational use by silvicultural students, and as a demonstration stand for C-level stocking. As a result, the composition and structure of this stand has been strongly influenced.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

Although the structure of this stand is relatively homogeneous, the openness of the canopy and midstory provide potential wildlife habitat features. The canopy closure in this stand is 25% to 50% cover. The midstory canopy is open with no canopy cover, and the shrub layer is very dense in the southern extent of the stand, ranging from 65% to 70%, and sparse in the northern extent of the stand, averaging 5%. The ground layer is relatively dense ranging from 25% to 50% cover. While there are no hard mast species present in the stand, a dense shrub layer of raspberry and black raspberry ranging from 15% to 20% cover. Other habitat features in this stand include high and low perches. The volume of coarse woody debris is 1141 cu feet/ac (80 cu m²/ha). The following table provides the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |2 |3 |

|8 to10 inches |0 |1 |

|11 to13 inches |0 |1 |

Pest Condition

None observed during inventory.

Special Features

One of the special features of this stand is the network of recreational trails that winds through the stand and continue down to Mill Brook. The trail is an important community resource, and is often used by neighbors and University associates, especially during the summer and weekends. Although no formal survey on use was conducted, informal conversations with users during the inventory, suggest that it is used regularly.

In addition to recreational uses, this stand also serves as a demonstration, in conjunction with the Heavy Cut Law stocking level treatment plots in Compartment 7 and 11. In this stand, there are two one acre heavy cut demonstration plots located along Tarbox Road, in order to show the effect of the Heavy Cut Regulations passed by the Vermont legislature in 1997-1998.The following is a summary of the 100% inventory conducted before and after each treatment, the information is also provided on the kiosk. The demonstration area was treated in 1999.

|Treatment Stocking Level |Number of stems per acre |Pre-treatment Basal Area |Mean Stand Diameter |Residual Basal Area |

|B- line |290 |247.6 |12.5 |140 |

|C-line |300 |205.2 |11.2 |104 |

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is stocked with eastern white pine pole to medium sawtimber. Although red maple is present in the pole to medium sawtimber size classes, the lack of sapling regeneration poses important management considerations if the development of a two aged stand structure is desired.

Stand: White Pine-Hemlock-Northern Hardwood

General Description

Located to the west of the white pine stand, this stand is 14 acres (6 ha) in size and is composed of mixed northern hardwoods. Red maple (39%), eastern white pine (22%) and eastern hemlock (12%) dominate the percent basal area of the stand, with a component of white ash (7%) and yellow birch (7%). Minor associates of the stand include sugar maple, paper birch and American elm. Advanced regeneration in the sapling size class is predominantly red maple, eastern hemlock, yellow birch, American beech, sugar maple and American elm. Pastured during the early 1900’s, the stand is essentially two aged in the process of converting to an uneven aged stand structure. The basal area of acceptable growing stock of 122 ft²/ac (28 m²/ac), and 721 stems/ac (1782 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 6 inches (14 cm). Situated in a patchwork mosaic of four different types of soils, including Agawam fine sandy loam, Adams and Windsor sandy loam, Colton and Stetson soils, and Colton gravelly loam, the soils are generally well-drained to excessively well drained and low in natural fertility. Hardwood stems in this stand are of moderate to fair sawtimber quality and the white pine is of high sawtimber quality. The topography of this stand is relatively level to sloping at slopes averaging 20%. There are several steep drainages that run north through the stand, creating variable topography.

|Size: 14 acres (6 ha) |Number of Plots: 5 |

|Soils: Several small patches of Agawam fine sandy loam 30% to 60%|Forest Type: White Pine-Hemlock- (SAF# 22) |

|slopes (AgE), Adams and Windsor loamy sands 12% to 30% (AdD), | |

|Colton and Stetson soils 30% to 60% (CsE), Colton gravelly loamy | |

|sand 12% to 20% (CoC), and Hartland very fine sandy loam 6 to 12 | |

|% (HIC) | |

|Site Index: 75 (RM) |Age Structure: Two-aged in the process of converting to an uneven|

| |aged stand |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Management of this stand has focused on improving the quality of hardwood stems and white pine stems for sawtimber production through student cleanings and thinning and salvage operations of white pine infected with red ring rot. The composition of this stand has been significantly altered by the damage due to the hurricane of 1952, and more recently by a liquidation harvest of white pine infected with red rot. Although there are several large remnant post agriculture white pine, the stand has been thinned and cleaned by students to promote high quality hardwoods.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

This stand is structurally and compositionally diverse, creating a variety of potential habitat features. The canopy cover is compositionally mixed and variable, at 51% to 75%, with patches of both 26% to 50% cover and 76% to 100%. The midstory is predominantly deciduous and ranges from the zero to 25% cover class to the 26% to 50% cover class. 20% to 40% cover. The shrub layer is predominately deciduous, with patches of coniferous cover, and ranges from 5% to 35% cover. The ground layer cover is dense ranging from 25% to 90%, with patches of under 10% cover. Important hard mast species present in this stand include American beech (30.4 stems), and bitternut hickory, although the bitternut hickory were not tallied in the inventory, but observed while traversing the stand. Soft mast species present in this stand include raspberry (1%) and partridgeberry (1%). An additional important wildlife species observed in this stand is hawthorn. Other habitat features of note include potential seeps, high and low perches and live and dead cavity trees. The volume of coarse woody debris is 622 cu ft/ac (44 cu m/ha). The following table provides the number of observations for each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |2 |6 |

|8 to10 inches |0 |1 |

|11 to13 inches |1 |0 |

Pest Condition

There is a historical record of red ring rot (Fomes pini) in the white pine in this stand, although no signs and symptoms were noted during the inventory.

Special Features

Within this stand, there are several recreational trails. These trails are accessed through pull offs along Tarbox Road. One trail runs east west through the stand paralleling Tarbox Road, eventually merging with another trail that leads down to Mill Brook. In addition, along the eastern boundary of the stand is a trail that runs north, into Compartment 13 and eventually, Mill Brook. As noted in the white pine stand, these trails are used primarily by neighbors and associates of the University. Although these trails are not used as regularly as the trail in the white pine stand they are important recreational resources.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand is stocked with eastern white pine and red maple small to medium size sawtimber. A large component of eastern hemlock, white ash and yellow birch sapling regeneration to pole size stems may present an important management opportunity in this stand. Furthermore, abundance of sugar maple sapling regeneration offers additional management opportunity if the development of an uneven aged stand is desired.

Stand: Eastern Hemlock

General Description

Situated on a steep slope leading down to Mill Brook, this stand is approximately 8 acres in size. The stand is composed of eastern hemlock (39%), northern red oak (24%), red maple (15%), white ash (9%) and American beech (6%), by percent basal area. Paper birch and big tooth aspen make up the remaining 6% basal area. Advanced regeneration in the sapling size class is dominated by eastern hemlock. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 160 ft²/ac (37 m²/ha). There are 378 stems/ac (935 stems/ha) and the diameter of the tree of average basal area is 9 inches (23 cm). The stand is two-aged with moderate to high quality sawtimber. The topography of the stand is steep, with a northeastern aspect and slopes ranging from 30% to 40%. These slopes are composed of well-drained Peru extremely stony loam. Along the northeast extent of the stand, the topography is level to flat and the soil type changes to Scantic silt loam, with a moderate to high moisture availability and natural fertility. Access to this stand is provided by an old woods road, that runs east through the stand. However, due to the steepness of the slope, equipment operability in this stand is limited.

|Size: 8 acres (3 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Peru extremely stony loam 0% to 29% slope (PsC) and |Forest Type: Eastern Hemlock (SAF #23) |

|Scantic silt loam 2% to 6% slope (ScB) | |

|Site Index: 50 (EH) |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand is focused on promoting high quality hardwoods for sawtimber production. However, the steepness of the slope, compounded by concern for maintaining and protecting stream quality has limited management activities in this stand. Management in this stand has been limited, although old decaying stumps along the southern edge of the stand suggest that accessible areas have been thinned.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy cover in this stand is in the 51% to 75% cover class and is dominated by coniferous species. Midstory canopy cover is in the zero to 25% class and predominantly coniferous. No shrub cover was observed during the inventory. Ground layer cover ranged from 5% to 10%. Important hard mast species observed in this stand include northern red oak (21.4 stems/ac, 52.8794 stems/ha), and American beech (12.9 stems/ac, 31.8759 stems/ha). No soft mast species observed. Additional wildlife habitat features include slash, low exposed perches and live and dead cavity trees. The volume of coarse woody debris is 805.5 cu ft/acre (56.36084 cu m/ha). The following table is of the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Soft with Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |3 |2 |

|8 to10 inches |0 |1 |

Pest Condition

None observed during inventory.

Special Features

A recreational trail traverses the eastern extent of this stand, leading down to Mill Brook.

Potential Management Opportunities

Management in this stand is extremely limited due to the steepness of the slope. However, along the gentler upper slopes, management opportunities may include a component of white ash and northern red oak small to medium sawtimber. Since sapling regeneration is limited to eastern hemlock, further management considerations may include the establishment of commercially valuable intermediate shade tolerant species in the sapling size classes as the terrain allows.

Compartment 13

General Description

Situated along the northeastern boundary of the Research Forest, compartment 13 is an approximately 19 acres (8 ha) area, that follows and straddles Mill Brook to the northeast. The compartment hosts a variety of current vegetative communities; including a floodplain forest, a wet riparian meadow, a white pine and Norway spruce plantation, a Japanese larch plantation, and a stand of eastern hemlock. The topography of the compartment is relatively level to flat, located at 520 ft (159 m). Mill Brook slowly meanders along the eastern edge of this compartment through one large channel and several smaller, newer channels formed by seasonal flooding and beaver activity. Located on the Underhill bedrock formation, the surficial geology deposit of this compartment is unique to the Research Forest, and predominantly composed of fluvial gravel, with a small patch of littoral sandy sediment. The soils of this compartment have been strongly influenced by glacial activity. Along the western boundary of the compartment steep sloping stony to loamy sands, Colton and Stetson soils, converge with very fine silt to sandy loam, Limerick silt loam. This shift in soil texture suggests that this compartment is located along the boundary where glacial till deposits merge with glacial outwash. Access to this compartment is provided by two recreational trails, one leading north through the white pine stand in compartment 12 and another following Mill Brook from east to west.

Past Management Objectives

The management of this compartment has historically focused on protecting wildlife habitat and stream quality. The floodplain forest and wet riparian meadow are essentially managed as buffer strips for the stream and management is limited to compatible educational and research goals.

Past Management Activities

Past management of this compartment has been limited due to the management objectives of protecting stream and wildlife habitat quality. However, the planting of Norway Spruce, white pine and Japanese larch suggest that there is some past forest management in this compartment

|1998 |Winter- Timber sale of white pine (14.226 MBF) |

|1977 |Combined timber sale with Compartment 8, (76MBF sawlogs and 85 cords of pulpwood removed) |

Stand: White Pine-Norway Spruce Plantation

General Description

Bordering Mill Brook to the southwest is a small plantation. Although the exact year this stand was planted is unknown, it can be presumed it was planted during the late 1950’s into the 1960’s, during the same period, the Japanese Larch plantation was planted. The stand is approximately 2 acres (1 ha) in size and dominated by Norway spruce (62%) with eastern white pine planted along the southern edge of the stand comprising of 38% basal area. An even aged stand, it is dominated by small to medium sawtimber of poor to moderate sawtimber quality. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 200 ft²/ac (46 m²/ha) and there are 220 stems/ac (545 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 14 in (36 cm). Situated on Limerick silt loam, the soil in this stand has very slow surface runoff and moderate moisture availability.

|Size: 2 acres (1 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Limerick silt loam 0% to 3% slope |Forest Type: White Pine-Norway Spruce Plantation |

|(Le) | |

|Site Index: 70 (EWP) |Age Structure: Even aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on improving stem quality of white pine and Norway spruce for sawtimber production, while protecting stream quality. However, access to this stand is severely limited. There is a woods road that leads down to the compartment through compartment 12, however, due to the wetness of the riparian meadow, operability is limited. Although the exact year is unknown, some light thinning has been done in this stand aimed at improving the quality of white pine stems.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

Although this is a small stand, the dense canopy cover adjacent to Mill Brook and the wet riparian meadow, provides a variety of potential wildlife habitat features. Canopy cover is coniferous and in the 75% to 100% cover class. There is relatively to no midstory canopy or shrub layer cover observed. The ground cover is variable ranging from 10% under the Norway spruce canopy to over 90% under the white pine canopy. Ironwood was observed in the stand, although not tallied in a plot, providing a potential source of hard mast. No soft mast species were observed. Other habitat features in this stand include coarse woody debris in the stream, high and low exposed perches and dead cavity trees. A volume of 78 cu ft/ac (5 cu m/ha) of coarse woody debris was observed. Furthermore, there was only one observation of coarse woody debris, in the 5 inches to 7 inches (13 cm to 18 cm) diameter class and hard with no bark.

Pest Condition

The pine weevil, as evidenced by a predominance of deformed stems, has heavily damaged the white pine in this stand.

Special Features

Three recreational trails enter this stand; one from the south, which leads down to Mill Brook, one from the west, which follows the edge of Mill Brook into the adjacent wet meadow and one that leads down from the white pine stand in compartment 12.

Potential Management Opportunities

Although management operations in this stand are limited by access, the stand is overstocked with pole to medium sawtimber size eastern white pine and Norway spruce. The density of stems in this stand may be limiting the growth and development of high quality sawtimber. The absence of sapling regeneration in this stand may pose important future management considerations.

Stand: Japanese Larch Plantation

General Description

Situated along boundary of the Norway spruce and white pine plantation, to the east, and on the edge of the wet riparian meadow to the west, there is a small band of planted Japanese larch. The stand is roughly just under an acre in size. Planted in the late 1950’s, the stand is composed of pure Japanese Larch (100%), by percent basal area. An even aged stand, the majority of the Japanese Larch is in the pole to small sawtimber size class and of moderate to high stem quality. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 220 ft²/ac (50 m²/ha) and there are 457 stems/ac (1130 stems/ha). The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 9 inches (24 cm). Located on Limerick silt loam soils with very slow surface runoff and moderate moisture availability, operability within the stand is limited due to wetness.

|Size: 0.8 acres (0.3 ha) |Number of Plots: 1 |

|Soils: Limerick Silt Loam 0% to 3% slope (Le) |Forest Type: Japanese Larch Plantation |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Even Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Due to the limitations on operability in this stand, no silvicultural treatments have been conducted in this stand. Furthermore, the patchwork mosaic of a forest, an open wet meadow and a stream, provides a variety of important edge habitat potential. Therefore, past management of this stand has focused on protecting the stream quality and promoting wildlife habitat potential.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

This stand offers a variety pf potential habitat features, based on its location between a dense coniferous forest and open wet riparian meadow. The canopy cover is in the 50% to 75% cover class, with a midstory canopy of zero to 25% dominated by deciduous species. The shrub layer is dense, 70 to 75% cover, and composed of a variety of herbaceous plants, ferns and soft mast species such as raspberry (10%). High exposed perches offer additional important wildlife habitat potential. There was no coarse woody debris observed in this stand.

Pest Condition

None observed during inventory.

Special Features

Situated along the edge of the wet riparian meadow, portions of this stand may be considered a Class Two wetland by the state of Vermont. Classification as a Class Two wetland suggests that the area provides enough ecological function, in conjunction with the surrounding communities to warrant protection.

Potential Management Opportunities

Although, this stand is densely stocked with Japanese Larch pole size to small sawtimber stems, wetness is an important management consideration. Management operations may be limited to frozen ground. Additionally, this stand is located in a potential sedge meadow. Management opportunities may include transitioning this stand away from an exotic plantation towards the more site appropriate vegetative community. However, potential state designation as a Class Two wetland may prohibit management operations in this stand, since Class Two wetland generally have a 50-foot buffer.

Stand: Wet Riparian Meadow

General Description

Spanning approximately 9 acres (3 ha) along the bank of Mill Brook, this stand is dominated by speckled alder (38%), eastern white pine (19%), American basswood (19%), American elm (6%), butternut (6%), and yellow birch (6%), by percent basal area. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 33 ft²/ac (8 m²/ha). There are 2615 stems/ac (6462 stems/ha), strongly influenced by an abundance of speckled alder at 2580 stems/ac (6376 stems/ha). There is no advanced regeneration of acceptable growing stock in the sapling size class. Speckled alder, ostrich fern, various sedges, joe-pye weed and various asters and goldenrods create a dense shrub layer in this stand. Beaver activity in this stand has also strongly influenced the shrub and midstory composition, cutting down pole size hardwoods. Situated on very fine sandy loams to silty loams, the soils in this stand have very slow surface runoff and are often saturated by water. The topography of this stand is relatively flat, although seasonal flooding and beaver activity have changed the course of the stream over time and evidence of new and old stream channels can be found across the stand. This stand has been identified in the Vermont Significant Wetland Inventory, as a Class Two wetland and provides enough ecological function, in conjunction with the adjacent Mill Brook, to warrant protection.

|Size: 9 acres (3 ha) |Number of Plots: 3 |

|Soils: Predominantly Limerick silty loam 0% to 3% slope (Le) and |Forest Type: Class 2 Wetland |

|Winooski very fine sandy loam (Wo), with areas of Terrace | |

|Escarpments, silty and clayey (TeE) | |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives

Past management of this stand is focused on protecting stream quality. This stand has historically been left unmanaged, serving as a buffer strip between the stream and the upland forests. Due to the wildlife habitat potential of this stand, proximity to the stream and integrity as a Class Two wetland, this stand has not been actively managed, during the University’s ownership. Additionally, according to the 1937 land use map portions of this stand were cultivated for agriculture (Map_).

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The openness of the canopy in this stand combined with a low dense shrub layer, and its proximity to both a stream and forest edge provide a variety of habitat potential to many wildlife species. The canopy cover of this stand is open, though there are patches of zero to 25% cover, especially along the edge of the stand. Speckled alder creates a midstory canopy of zero to 25% cover. The shrub layer is variable with patches of relatively openness, zero to 25%, and patches of very dense cover, 76% to 100%. The ground layer is also quite dense, averaging 40% to 100% cover. Important hard mast species observed in this stand include butternut (4 stems/ac, 10 stems/ha). No soft mast species were observed during the inventory, although presumably, given the diversity of herbaceous plants in the stand, are present. Additional wildlife habitat features include coarse woody debris in the stream, high and low exposed perches and live and dead cavity trees. A volume of 1146 cu.ft/ac (80 cu.m/ha) was observed in the stand. The following table provides the number of observations in each diameter and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Hard with Bark |Hard without Bark |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |0 |1 |1 |

|11 to13 inches |0 |1 |1 |

|17 to 19 inches |1 |0 |0 |

Pest Condition

None observed

Special Features

A recreational trail traverses this stand following the stream. The trail crosses Mill Brook and continues north into the Mobb Farm parcel, owned and managed by the Town of Jericho.

In addition, this stand has been identified by the Vermont Significant Wetland Inventoy as a Class Two wetland. Under the Vermont Wetland Rules[13] this area is considered so important, either in and of itself, or in conjunction with Mill Brook, in terms of its hydrological, ecological and habitat functions, that is merits protection. Generally, Class Two wetlands have a 50 ft buffer zone.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand offers an important management opportunity. Since it is the only wetland found on the Research Forest, to this scale, the ecological integrity of this area may be an important management consideration. Additionally, this stand offers a diversity of wildlife habitat potentials, which are not found on the remainder of the property. Therefore, management opportunities in this stand may include the protection of this area as an ecologically important attribute to the Universities Research Forest and designation as a high value conservation area.

Stand: Floodplain Forest

General Description

Situated within the wet riparian meadow is a small floodplain forest, approximately 5 acres (2 ha) in size. Sugar maple (25%), red maple (17%), white ash (12%), eastern white pine (8%), eastern hemlock (8%), American basswood (8%), musclewood (8%), American elm (8%), and butternut (4%) dominate the stand by percent basal area. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 95 ft²/ac (22 m²/ha) and there are 1434 stems/acre (3544 stems/ha), strongly influenced by an abundance of musclewood at 924 stems/ac (2284 stems/ha). Located on Winooski very fine sandy loam, with very slow surface runoff, the soil is often saturated by water. The topography f this stand is relatively level, and it borders a small drainage that feeds into Mill Brook to the east.

|Size: 5 acres (2 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Winooski very fine sandy soils 0 to 3% slope (Wo) |Forest Type: Floodplain Forest |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand is focused on protecting stream quality. During the Universities ownership, this stand has been left unmanaged. However, the 1937 land use map suggests that this stand was historically cultivated for agricultural crops.

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy cover in this stand is estimated within the 26% to 50% cover class, with patches of denser cover 51% to 75%. The midstory is dominated by deciduous species and in the 26% to 50% percent cover class. The shrub layer in this stand averages 25%, considerable less dense than in the surrounding stands. The ground layer cover ranges from 40% to 60%. There was no hard mast species observed during the inventory and soft mast species were present only along the edge of the stand including raspberry and blackberry. Additional wildlife habitat features include coarse woody debris in the stream, high and low exposed perches and live and dead cavity trees. A volume of 448 cu.ft/ac (31 cu.m/ha) of coarse woody debris was observed during the inventory. Coarse woody debris was observed in the 11 to 13 inch (28 cm to 33 cm) diameter class and in the soft without bark present decay class.

Pest Condition

None observed during inventory.

Special Features

There appears to be some slight enrichment in this stand, as evidenced by the presence of sugar maple and white ash with an understory of white baneberry, blue cohosh, wild ginger, and maidenhair fern. The enrichment may be due to periodic flooding of the stream, bring with it an influx of nutrients to the site.

Potential Management Opportunities

This stand offers an important management opportunity. Since it is the only wetland found on the Research Forest, to this scale, the ecological integrity of this area may be an important management consideration. Additionally, this stand offers a diversity of wildlife habitat potentials, which are not found on the remainder of the property. Therefore, management opportunities in this stand may include the protection of this area as an ecologically important attribute to the Universities Research Forest and designation as a high value conservation area.

Stand: Eastern Hemlock

General Description

Although most of the compartment is located on the western side of Mill Brook, there is a small stand of eastern hemlock found along the eastern side of the stream. The stand is 3 acres (1 ha) in size and composed of eastern hemlock (37%), red maple (27%), eastern white pine (10%), white ash (7%), musclewood (7%), American beech (7%) and paper birch (3%), by percent basal area. An uneven aged stand, white ash and eastern hemlock dominate the advanced regeneration of the sapling size class. The basal area of acceptable growing stock is 130 ft²/ac (30 m²/ha) and there are 1398 stems/ac (3455 stems/ha), strongly influenced by 924 stems/ac (2284 stems/ha) of musclewood. The diameter of the tree of average basal area is 4 inches (11 cm). Situated on Limerick silt loam, the soil in this stand has very slow surface runoff and moderate moisture availability to plants. An ephemeral drainage runs through the stand flowing out into Mill Brook.

|Size: 3 acres (1 ha) |Number of Plots: 2 |

|Soils: Limerick silt loam 0 to 3% slope (Le) |Forest Type: Eastern Hemlock (SAF #23) |

|Site Index: Not Available |Age Structure: Two-Aged |

Past Management Objectives and Stand History

Past management of this stand has focused on protecting stream quality. This stand has historically been left unmanaged. There is no access to this stand from the Research Forest, other than crossing Mill Brook. Historically, this stand was managed as a farm woodlot, during the early 1900’s (Map).

Wildlife Habitat Potential

The canopy of this stand is relatively dense averaging 75% to 100% cover, with some patches of under 50% cover. The midstory is composed of both deciduous and coniferous species and is in the 25% to 50% cover class. The shrub layer is open ranging from zero to 15% cover and the ground layer ranges from 15% to 50% cover. Located adjacent to the open riparian meadow, this stand offers a variety of edge habitats. Hard mast species in this stand is limited to American beech (21 stems/ac, 51 stems/ha) and butternut (11 stems/ac, 28 stems/ha). There were no soft mast species observed during the inventory. Additional wildlife habitat features include live and dead cavity trees. The volume of coarse woody debris observed was 560 cu.ft/ac (39 cu.m/ha). The following table is the number of observations in each diameter class and decay class.

|Diameter Class |Soft without Bark |

|5 to 7 inches |1 |

|17 to 19 inches |1 |

Pest Condition

None observed during inventory

Special Features

This stand borders the Jericho Town Forest, to the north. A recreational trail crosses Mill Brook into this stand, and then continues north into the Town Forest.

Potential Management Opportunities

Stocked with eastern hemlock sapling regeneration to medium sawtimber, this stand is in the process of transitioning to an uneven aged stand. The presence of white ash sapling regeneration may present future management opportunities in this stand, especially if the development of an uneven aged stand is desired. However, access to the stand is severely limited. Access from the University property is only provided through the Class Two wetland, which poses significant management consideration.

The Forest as a Whole:

An Overview of the Current Vegetative Communities layer

Although on the ground management of the Research Forest is carried out by compartment and stands, these management units are arranged across the landscape to comprise the larger context of the forest as a whole. Through stepping back and examining the forested landscape as a whole, we can begin to see vegetative patterns playing out throughout the Research Forest. Identifying and exploring these patterns is essential to preserving the context of the forest during management of individual areas. In order to examine the patterns and processes occurring throughout the forest, this section divides the forest into three attributes: composition, structure, and density. Furthermore, each attribute of the forest as a whole leads to general management recommendations based on potential management goals.

Composition

The presence of steep slopes, shallow concavities, seeps, vernal pools, glacial till deposits, and a Class Two wetland, contribute to the overall vegetative diversity of the Jericho Research Forest. Comprised of twenty-one different stand cover types across the 365-acre property, the physical features and rich human management history combine to create an array of vegetative communities across the landscape. Within this mosaic of stands, numerous vegetative species have been identified on the property during this study and in the 1988 management plan, including, 1) 63 tree species, 2) 20 shrub, small tree and vine species, 3) 87 species of herbaceous plants, 4) 20 species of ferns, 5) 6 species of clubmosses, and one species of horsetail (See Appendix _). The abundance of tree and herbaceous species is somewhat surprising considering that the predominantly sandy soils found across the forest are nutrient poor and excessively to well drained. However, localized moisture and nutrient enrichment associated with areas of glacial till and areas that experience seasonal surface runoff and flooding is a familiar theme across the forest. Furthermore, the importance of the long history of human manipulation of this forest cannot be understated. Many tree species found in this forest are non-native and were planted for various management, educational, or research objectives.

While there is a diversity of individual plant species found across the research forest, eastern white pine, eastern hemlock, red maple and sugar maple compose over 50% of the total basal area across the forest. Although the abundance of eastern white pine is expected due to the long agricultural land use history, the abundance of mid to late, intermediate shade tolerant species suggest this predominantly two-aged forest is may be well on its way to reclaiming its pre-settlement composition, arguably of some combination of American beech, eastern hemlock, red maple, and sugar maple.

[pic]

Figure _. Percent basal area of overstory species observed in the Jericho Research Forest, 2004. (See Appendix _ for species code).

Maintaining A Diversity of Species and Vegetative Communities

Within the Research Forest there are several areas that may require special management considerations, due to the intrinsic value or sensitive nature of ecological and hydrological functions. These areas may include 1) the unmanaged mid-successional northern hardwood forest in Compartment 1, 2) seeps, 3) vernal pools and 4) the Class 2 wetland bordering Mill Brook (Map_). Management activities in these areas should take into consideration the following recommendations[14]:

• Limiting management activities in the sugar maple stand in Compartment 1 to research and educational opportunities that promote this area as an example of post-agricultural, mid-successional, northern hardwood forest.

• Avoid any physical disturbance to vernal pool depressions or seep to avoid soil compaction and siltation.

• In order to prevent sedimentation and maintain shaded forest floor conditions, require a 50 foot no cut buffer extending from the edge of all vernal pools, in which no new roads or skid trails shall be established and a 50 ft to 200 ft low intensity harvest area extending from the edge of the pool[15], conducting management operations, preferably, when ground is frozen (Thomson and Sorenson 2000).

• Maintain a minimum of 65 to 70% canopy cover around seeps and perennial streams.

• Maintain at least a 50 foot buffer of no management activity, as mandated by the state[16], around the Class Two wetland, in order to protect the function of the wetland.

Use of Current Compartment Designations for Management Units

Due to the management history of the Research Forest, one question that the University faces is whether the current designations of compartments make sense across the forest landscape. While these designations serve many logistical functions, they are human-imposed boundaries, originated from the internal network of woods roads, and do not take into consideration physical features, past land use patterns, or current vegetation communities. That being said, the network of roads provides an important organizational structure and in many instances provide access for management activities.

This assessment found that in some case, stand designations overlap compartment boundaries, and in some instances, stands have been separated by compartment boundaries. However, due to a difference in management activities by the University, under the current compartment designations, there is presently a slight difference in composition and structure between separated stands. As a result, it is recommended that:

• The current organization of the property into 13 compartments seems sufficient for the purpose of management.

• If the integration of current vegetative communities and abiotic landscape features is desired, there are several areas that should be examined for potential changes in compartment boundaries. These areas include the eastern white pine-hemlock stand in Compartment 2 and 3, the eastern white pine stand in Compartment 3 and 9, and the eastern hemlock stands in Compartment 9, 10 and 11 (Map ).

Structure

Structurally, this forest has been strongly influenced by past forest management, including the establishment of eleven plantations, ranging in size from 0.5 acres to 15 acres. Because many of these plantations are even-aged, or in the early stages of converting to a two-aged stand, vertical and horizontal structural diversity is generally limited. This is due to sparse midstory canopies, and regeneration. The average q-value for the plantations across the forest is 1.21, suggesting that larger trees occupy a relatively larger portion of the stand growing space (Figure_).

[pic]

Figure . Distribution of q-values by plantations across the Jericho Research Forest, 2004

Interestingly, across the remainder of the forest, the average q-value is only slightly higher that the plantations, at 1.23 (Figure ). This suggests that while the pattern of trees of different size and age classes is slightly more varied, large trees still occupy a large portion of growing space. As a result, the development of vertical structure in the stand is limited. According to the general sawtimber management guidelines, a q-value of 1.3 to 1.8 is optimum for sawtimber production (Leak et al 1998). While a lower q-value may have aesthetic value due to the abundance of large trees, the development of a multiple-tiered canopy is an important habitat feature for many species. Because the forest is generally two-aged or in the early process of converting to uneven-aged structure, the forest is in the early stages of structural development. In addition, the general patchiness of understory and a shrub layer across the Research Forest offers an additional important structural attribute to the forest.

[pic]

Figure . Distribution of q-values in non-plantations across the Jericho Research Forest, 2004.

Promoting Structural Diversity

A majority of the stands across the Research Forest are even-aged to two-aged in structure. While even-aged and two-aged stands meet a variety of management goals, in order to promote the concept of sustainability at the Research Forest, the gradual transition of this forest, either as a whole or in designated areas, towards uneven-aged structure is generally recommended (Smartwood 2000). In order to promote this conversion, it is recommended that:

• Silvicultural treatments should aim to obtain a q-value of 1.7, on the poorest growing sites and 1.5 to 1.3 on good growing sites (Leak et al. 1989)

• Single-tree, group selection, or patch cuts be used to establish new cohorts at regular intervals, to promote a balanced-age class (Nyland 2002)

Promoting Wildlife Habitat

Although the Research Forest provides a diversity of wildlife habitat types, one important component of habitat that must be considered in management is coarse woody debris, including both downed woody material and snags. Although there is no current standard for how much coarse wood debris should be retained during timber harvesting, there are several sources of recommended volumes. The following downed woody material recommendation is based on a study conducted in old growth, maturing and partially harvested northern hardwood forests, respectively (McGee et al. 1999).[17] The snag retention recommendation is based on the Maine Forest Biodiversity Project (Flatebo et al. 1999). These recommendations provide a frame of reference for assessing the current amount of coarse woody debris in each stand, and setting a potential guideline for future management practices.

• Management activities should aim to retain at least 1000 cu. ft/ac (70 cu. m/ha) of downed coarse woody debris, including 18% of 7.8-19 inch diameter wood, and 4% of ≥20 inch diameter wood (McGee et al. 1999)

• Management activities should aim to retain at least 1 snag greater than 24” dbh per acre and 3 snags greater than 14” dbh per acre (Flatebo et al. 1999).

Density

Analyzing the density of the forest can yield useful information about how much growing space each tree has, as well as how much competition individual trees have for light and in general how quickly the trees will grow. The number of trees, the size of the trees, and how they are spatially distributed across the forest, provide good indicators of density. Through comparing the basal area of stands across the Research Forest, we can evaluate how much growing space each tree has to develop and aid forest management in the optimization of tree growth.

There is a great deal of variability in density across the forest due to a diversity of vegetative communities. For example, the basal area across the forest ranges from overstocked plantations, such as the White Pine-Norway Spruce plantation in Compartment 13, with a basal area of 240 ft²/ac (55 m²/ha) to a predominantly shrub and herbaceous wet riparian meadow with a basal area of 53 ft²/ac (12 m²/ha) . In general, the Research Forest is densely stocked with small to large sawtimber. The average basal area across the forest is 151 ft²/ac (35 m²/ha) (Figure ). Based on the relationship between stand density and tree growth for a northern hardwood forest, Leak et al. (1969) suggest a mid-rotation basal area of 90 ft²/ac (21 m²/ha). The Research Forest mixed northern hardwood stands average 141 ft²/ac (32 m²/ha), which is significantly above the optimum basal area for radial stem growth.

Furthermore, the average basal across the plantations is 175 ft²/ac (40 m²/ha). According to stocking guides for white pine (Phibrook et al. 1973) and red pine (Benzie 1977), these plantations are fully stocked to overstocked. This suggest that the trees in the plantations are utilizing all available growing space.

[pic]

Figure _. Basal area by stand of the Jericho Research Forest, 2004.

Promoting Stem Growth and Development For Sawtimber Production

In general, most of the stands in the Research Forest are densely stocked with commercially valuable, small to large sawtimber. However, although density may be adversely affecting tree growth, the number, size, and arrangement of trees across the forest offers an array of non-commodity based values, including aesthetic value and wildlife habitat value. As a result, management activities in the Research Forest have struggled to balance the management of the forest for optimum tree growth with a multitude of additional management considerations. In order to promote sawtimber production, it is recommended that:

• In areas where sawtimber production is a priority, selection cutting be conducted on a 10 to 20 year cutting cycle to lower residual basal area to 70 ft²/ac (16 m²/ha) for hardwood stands and a basal area of 100 ft²/ac (23 m²/ha) for mixed stands (Leak et al. 1999).

General Management Recommendations

Promoting an Accurate and Visible Boundary

Although there are cement markers at each boundary corner of the property, currently the boundary is marked in the forest by a barbed wire fence around the entire 365 acres (148 ha). There are several stretches along the boundary were the fence has fallen down, and the boundary line is not apparent. In addition, several roads are shared with neighboring properties. Although some of these roads are gated to prevent ATV traffic, there is no marker indicating the transition onto University property. Therefore, it is recommended that:

• The boundary be refreshed, preferably with a more permanent marking method.

• That at each entrance to the property, including woods roads, be signed with information including University ownership and limitations to ATV and other motorized use.

In addition, there is an inconsistency in the GIS boundary layers of the Research Forest. Currently, there are two GIS boundary layers for the property, which differ in the location of the western boundary line, by roughly 200 to 300 feet (61 m to 92 m). Although the discrepancy is to be expected given the variability in GPS accuracy, it is recommended that:

• One boundary, preferably the one used in this document, be used and updated as necessary, in order to promote consistency in GIS maps of the property.

Chapter II: Predicting Potential Future Vegetative Communities: AN assessment of Natural Communities

INTRODUCTION

The variable topography, surficial deposits, soil types and hydrological processes across the Jericho Research Forest provide for a variety of potential natural communities, from upland northern hardwood forest variants to wetland communities. Identifying and delineating the potential natural communities across the Research Forest landscape is an informative tool in predicting future vegetative patterns of the forest. Through assessing the natural communities, this chapter provides an interpretation of what, given the environmental conditions and lack of human manipulation, the vegetative communities of the Research Forest could develop towards in the future.

The chapter opens with an overview of the concept of natural communities, and how, specifically it relates to the Jericho Research Forest. Next, the chapter provides a description of each potential natural community, both in general and how it is currently being expressed at the Research Forest. Finally, the chapter concludes with a series of management considerations based on the relatively statewide rarity, ecological and hydrological sensitivity of the potential natural communities found within the Research Forest.

Natural Communities: A Concept

A natural community is “an interacting assemblage of organisms, their physical environment and the natural processes that affect them” (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Through classifying and mapping these communities, we gain a deeper understanding of the interaction between plants and animals, and various ecological, geological and geographical processes of a site, including soils, topography, hydrology and natural disturbance. The natural community concept is a way to classify these relationships into physical mapping units. Identifying and mapping natural communities, though often challenging, is a powerful tool in integrating our understanding of these natural processes into land use, management and conservation decisions. Understanding the potential natural communities of the Jericho Research Forest is an important component of assessing the ecological potential of the forest, based on its environmental conditions, and integrating this knowledge into management decisions.

The concept of natural communities is especially intriguing and challenging at the Jericho Research Forest. There is a long history of human manipulation of the forest, dating back to the late 1800’s with agricultural use, and more recently beginning in the 1940’s as an experimental forest. Past management activities including, exotic and native coniferous plantations, logging and educational silvicultural exercises, such as thinnings, cleanings and prescribed burns, has strongly influenced the current forest composition. As a result, the natural community concept is even more pertinent in thinking about the possible trajectory of vegetative comminutes and can provide a powerful tool if shifting management away from exotics and plantations towards native, site-appropriate species is desired. While human alteration has severely altered the current vegetative communities of the property, given time and the ecological capacity to recover, the following is a ‘best guess’ of the natural communities that may be expected to develop at the Jericho Research Forest.

Methods

Natural communities were delineated based on a combination of the 2004 summer field inventory, orthophotographs, topographical information, and soils descriptions. Due to the intensity of human influence on the current vegetation of the Research Forest, soils, understory plants, surficial deposits and topographic features were weighted heavily in deciding between communities (Thompson and Sorenson 2004). The names and descriptions of the natural communities are predominantly based on classification system described by Thompson and Sorenson (2000). In addition to identifying the natural communities, attributes of each, including canopy height, canopy closure, dominant species, and disturbance patterns, relationship to soils and topography, and state rank were assessed. State rank, assigned by the Vermont Non-game and Natural Heritage Program, provides a frame of reference for assessing how rare each natural community is in Vermont and whether special management recommendations should be considered. State rankings range from S1 (extremely rare ) to S5 (common) (Thompson and Sorenson 2000) (Appendix _).

Natural Community Descriptions

The natural communities of the Jericho Research Forest can be divided into two groups, upland natural communities and wetland natural communities. This categorization is based predominantly on hydrological processes, type of soil and plant associations (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Within each group, individual communities occur at various scales from widespread communities like the northern hardwood forest, to smaller, localized communities such as seeps, and vernal pools. The following is a description of each community identified and mapped (Map 12). All boundaries are provisional, especially between variant communities.

Upland Natural Communities

The Jericho Research Forest has four dominant upland natural communities, all within the northern hardwood forest formation: Northern Hardwood Forest, Mesic Red Oak Northern Hardwood Forest, Hemlock Forest and Hemlock-Northern Hardwood Forest. Within the northern hardwood forest community there is a great deal of variation, expressed at the Research Forest through localized enrichment and a strong component of white pine that is expected to persist over time. For a summary of all upland natural communities and their attributes, see Appendix _.

Northern Hardwood Forest (S5)

The quintessential depiction of the Northern Hardwood Forest Formation, this community is one of the most widespread and abundant communities, and perhaps, the most variable in the state of Vermont (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Generally dominated by American beech, sugar maple, yellow birch in the late to mid-successional forest canopy, this community is found across the Research Forest as two variations. Variations originate from differences in climate, slope, landscape position, surficial geology deposits and land use history, across the forest (Thompson and Sorenson 2000).

Sugar Maple-White Ash-Jack in the pulpit Northern Hardwood Forest (variant)

This community is a variant of the Northern Hardwood Forest and is distinguished by indicators of slight enrichment. Generally dominated by sugar maple and white ash, in mid-successional forests, American beech can be strong component of late successional forests. At the Research Forest, this community is found at the base of slopes, in concavities, or on top of glacial till. Additionally, the localized enrichment, at JRF may be due to colluvial processes of down slope movement of nutrients where nutrients and moisture accumulate. This community is.exhibited at the Research Forest by a dominance of sugar maple, American beech, white ash, red maple and northern red oak. Indicator herbaceous species observed at JRF include blue cohosh, white baneberry, wild ginger, and maidenhair fern. Although some areas mapped as this community have been silviculturally managed to promote sugar maple, the abundance of herbaceous plant indicators suggest this natural community will persist over time.

White Pine-Northern Hardwood Forest (variant)

This community is similar to the Northern Hardwood Forest and Hemlock-Northern Hardwood Forest, however is distinguished by a large component of white pine that is expected to persist over time. Although the current dominance of white pine is a result of past agricultural land use history, coarse, well-drained, sandy soils combined with pine regeneration indicate that white pine may continue to be a major component of these areas.

Mesic Red Oak Northern Hardwood Forest (S4)

The abundance of northern red oak in this community separates it from the rest of the Northern Hardwood Forest. Dominance of red oak is partially due to dry, well-drained soils and south-facing slopes. At JRF, this community occurs on a dry rocky hilltop and extends west along a gently southwestern slope, providing an important seed source to the downslope community. The canopy is dominated by red oak, with a strong component of red maple, American beech and eastern hemlock. The understory and shrub layer is relatively sparse and composed of common indicator species including witch hazel, late sweet blueberry, beaked hazelnut, sarsaparilla, wild oats, white wood aster, and starflower. There is a historical record of recent and past logging in this community, and the abundance of red oak over time in this community is confirmed by historical accounts of red oak being used as lumber to build the original farmhouse and barn on the property.

Hemlock Forest (S4)

Steep sloping ravines dominated by eastern hemlock characterize this community. At the Research Forest, this community is found on glacial outwash sands, poor in nutrient and moisture availability, along slopes ranging from 30% to 40%. The canopy is dominated by eastern hemlock with a component of American beech and red maple. The dense canopy of hemlock provides dense shade, contributing to a sparse understory layer. Characteristic understory species present at JRF include partridgeberry, indian pipes, shinning clubmoss, ground cedar, Canada mayflower, and hobblebush. Due to eastern hemlocks’ shade tolerance and ability to regenerate under dense canopy cover, this community is believed to be stable over time (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). In addition, this community is an important source of winter habitat for the white-tailed deer.

Hemlock-Northern Hardwood Forest (S4)

The abundance of eastern hemlock found across the Research Forest suggests the continued presence of this species throughout the forest. Composed of a mixture of northern hardwoods, eastern hemlock and white pine, this community is found on well-drained sandy to gravelly outwash soils. Although quite similar to the Hemlock Forest, this community is distinguished by the presence of hardwoods in the canopy, generally composing 25% to 75% of canopy cover (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Characteristic species found at JRF include eastern hemlock, American beech, white pine, paper birch and sugar maple. Understory species include striped maple, partridgeberry, intermediate wood fern, ground cedar, indian pipe, Canada mayflower, and sarsaparilla.

Wetland Natural Communities

Jericho Research Forest has four wetland natural communities. Most of these communities are located along the floodplain plateau of Mill Brook, and is a state delineated Class 2 wetlands. However, potential seeps and vernal pools are found throughout the property. The wetland natural communities can be further classified into forested wetland, such as the floodplain forest, seeps and vernal pools, and open and shrub wetlands, such as the sedge meadow and alluvial shrub swamp. For a summary of all wetland natural communities and their attributes see Appendix _

Sugar Maple-Ostrich Fern Riverine Floodplain Forest (S2)

Located on a small terrace of deep, moderately well-drained sandy loamy soils, this community is dominated by a canopy of sugar maple and white ash. Red maple and American basswood make up a minor component of the canopy. A subcanopy of white ash saplings, sugar maple, and musclewood forms the structural diversity of this community, which distinguishes it from other floodplain forests. Due to the alluvial processes in this community, the organic layer is absent. The herbaceous layer is diverse and dense, dominated by ostrich fern, with rich woods species such as white baneberry, blue cohosh, and wild ginger. Legacy white pine and butternut suggest an agricultural land use history. Exotic invasive species found in this community include Japanese knotweed, common buckthorn and moneywort.

Vernal Pool (S3)

Found in depressions in the upland forests, this community forms when the downward movement of groundwater runoff is impeded by a hardpan layer, (such as the shallow to bedrock soil, found at JRF) and is forced to the surface. The soils are often continuously saturated, resulting in thin surface organic layers over saturated mineral soils (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Surrounding trees often provide important canopy shade for this community. Vernal pools are important amphibian breeding habitat. Wood frogs, spring peepers, various species of salamanders and newts all migrate to vernal pools from the surrounding forest. Characteristic herbaceous species found at the Research Forest include sensitive fern and northern bugleweed. The presence of amphibians was observed at several pools. The largest of the vernal pool communities found on the property is approximately 6 inches to 10 inches deep, 20 to 30 feet wide, and 40 to 50 feet long. A remnant of an outflow stream channel is present along the southern boundary of the pool. This suggests past human manipulation of this community, perhaps during agricultural and pasture use. The remaining vernal pool communities appear to be unaltered. This natural community is uncommon in Vermont.

Seep (S4)

Seeps are, like vernal pools, displaced small upland forested wetlands. However, unlike vernal pools, seeps are associated with ground water seepage, not groundwater runoff. Since, generally, there are no trees present in the seep, canopy cover is provided by the surrounding trees. Seeps are often characterized by early spring growth in herbaceous plants such as rough-stemmed sedge, slender mannagrass, and spotted touch-me-not. As a result, seeps offer important wildlife habitat for various amphibians and possibly for black bear, as an early spring food source. In the past, homesteads were often located near seeps because of the value of a continuous source of water, even throughout the deep cold of winter. There are several seeps distributed throughout the upland forests of the Jericho Research Forest. Characteristic plants found at the Research Forest include sensitive fern, spotted touch-me-not, foamflower, and false hellebore.

Alluvial Shrub Swamp (S4)

This community is found in floodplains of small rivers on sandy alluvial soils, deposited by water as it expands across the floodplain. A shrub-dominated community; this natural community differs from other wetland communities due to alluvial soils that are typically deposited in along a raised levee, along the bank of the stream. Due to continual flooding, the stream channel may migrate over time across the floodplain. This community often grades into sedge meadows and floodplain forests, as exhibited at the Research Forest. At the Jericho Research Forest periodic flooding combined with upstream beaver activity have greatly influenced the course of the stream. A dense thicket of speckled alder dominates the community at the Jericho Research Forest. Boxelder and black willow are also present as small shrubby trees. Characteristic understory plants found in this community include ostrich fern, Joe-pye weed, riverbank wild rye, and various species of goldenrod and asters. The dense shrub and ground cover of this community offers important breeding habitat for many migratory birds, as well as mink, river otter, muskrat, and beaver.

Sedge Meadow (S4)

This community is often found along stream margins. Influenced by seasonal flooding, this community is often dominated by one species of sedge and the soils is permanently saturated. Sedges are firmly rooted in the mineral substrate and the soil often contains a high amount of organic matter (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Located in an old stream channel of Mill Brook, this community has saturated silty soils. At the Jericho Research Forest this community is dominated by several species of sedges, including three-way sedge. Further inventory work is needed to identify the sedges species present. Due to the influence of beaver activity in this community, it may succeed to another wetland community (Thompson and Sorenson 2000).

Management Considerations Based on Potential Vegetative Communities

Although, in general, the identification and mapping of natural communities is intended to provide a potential guideline for management of site appropriate species across the Research Forest, two communities delineated are of important ecological significance, according to the relative rarity assigned by the Vermont Nongame and Natural Heritage Program. These include Vernal Pools and the Sugar Maple-Ostrich Fern Riverine Floodplain Forest. If protecting and promoting rare to uncommon natural communities is a management consideration, the following is recommended:

To promote and protect Vernal Pools (S3)

Vernal pools and the amphibian species that depend on them are most threatened by acitivites that alter the hydrology and substrate of indivudal pools. Inorder to prevent alteration of the community Thompson and Soreson (2000) recommend:

• Avoid any physical disturbance to vernal pool depressions,

• Maintain a 50 foot no management activity buffer around the pool, and

• Maintain a 200 to 500 foot low intensity management buffer from the edge of the pool, and limit any logging operations to periods of frozen soil.

To promote and protect the Sugar Maple-Ostrich Fern Riverine Floodplain Forest (S2)

This community is considered relatively rare in Vermont, due to only a few intact examples remaining throughout the state. Agricultural land use, due to the nutrient and moisture richness of the soil has historically poses the biggest threat to the persistence of this community. However, the alteration of flooding regimes, pose a continued threat to this community (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). As a result the following is recommended:

• Management activities should avoid any alteration of hydrological processes, including flooding regimes, except as naturally caused by beaver activity.

• Management activities in this community should be limited to educational and research opportunities that promote the community as an intact example.

• Monitor invasive species to ensure populations are not increasing in size.

Chapter III: Mapping the Uses and Values of the Jericho Research Forest: An Exercise in RSENR Community Mapping

INTRODUCTION

The diversity of current vegetation, natural history and land use history of the Jericho Research Forest promotes a wide variety of uses and values. By far the most extensively used of the five University-owned forests, the JRF is widely utilized by the Rubenstein School of the Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) for both educational and research opportunities. However, to date, usage of the Research Forest has largely gone undocumented. As the School explores the integration of sustainability into JRF management, it is imperative that the current role of the Research Forest in the School be examined. Due to the ad hoc nature of current management, this chapter serves as an assessment of current uses and values, by the community of faculty and staff in RSENR. It will serve to inform future envisioning and management planning. In order to promote a diversity of management objectives, this chapter starts the process of developing future management goals by identifying and locating current uses and values. Because future forest management at JRF is dependent on the uses and values of multiple parties, it is essential that these be physically identified collaboratively throughout the forest.

In order to promote the overall goal, this chapter has three objectives:

• To generate a list of all uses occurring on the of the Research Forest

• To map the location of current uses, especially those limited to particular places on the Research Forest

• To identify and spatially define, as appropriate, the values associated with the Research Forest

The scope of this mapping exercise is limited to community of RSENR faculty and staff, in order to promote cohesion among current users and meet current needs of the School. Through locating areas of importance, future management planning can strive to balance the complex mosaic of current uses and diversity of values for the forest. However, it is essential that other stakeholders and user groups be included in future information gathering and management planning dialogue.

The concept of community mapping

Physically mapping important features across a landscape can be a very powerful tool in assessing the needs of a community and envisioning future desired conditions. Through engaging a community in the process of outlining its uses and values, community mapping can also be an effective tool in management planning. The concept of community mapping, as proposed by the Orton Family Foundation, is most widely used for integrating students, teachers, and community members into town level planning (The Orton Family Foundation 2003). However, the process of collaborative management planning is transferable to any community faced with the challenge of integrating needs, uses, and values into management decisions. Through using GIS technology, where appropriate, to locate important features of the JRF landscape, community mapping can be used to increase communication and collaboration among RSENR forest users, and as an informational database for future management planning.

Methods

On February 16, 2005, a community mapping event was held for the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources faculty and staff. The purpose of the event was to collect information on the current uses and values associated with the Research forest as well as to promote discussion on potential visions for future management planning. Uses were categorized into three areas: education, research, and other uses. Values were categorized into two areas, ecological and other values. Each potential type of use or value was displayed on a poster-sized map. Participants used number stickers to identify locations of uses and values across the Research Forest. If a use or value could not be spatially defined, or were general in nature, number stickers were placed in a column on the appropriate map. Data for each sticker were collected, including 1) a short description of use or value, 2) a description of physical location, 3) description of current field marking, if any, and 4) a contact person. In addition to physically locating uses and values, the event included a brief brainstorming session to draw out the themes from the mapping exercise and to begin the process of envisioning potential future management.

The event was attended by nine RSENR community members, representing a variety of predominantly forestry and ecological perspectives (Table ). Noticeably absent from the event was a representation of wildlife perspectives.

Table _. List of Community Mapping Participants and Affiliation to the Research Forest

|Name of Participants |Relationship to RSENR and JRF |

|Don Tobi |JRF Land manager and Caretaker |

|John Shane |Chair of Forestry Program |

|William Keeton |Assistant Professor |

|Deane Wang |Associate Dean of RSENR |

|Shari Halik |Researcher Specialist |

|Walter Poleman |Lecturer |

|Jeffrey Hughes |Associate Professor |

|Cecilia Danks |Assistant Professor |

|Gary Hawley |Senior Researcher |

|Don Dehayes |Dean of RSENR |

Current USES

For the purpose of defining uses of the Research Forest, “uses” were considered to be the act or practice of employing something, or carrying out a purpose. Although uses can be synonymous with values, the distinction for the purpose of this mapping event is that the area is actively being used either as an educational tool, for a research project, or for other purposes. Correspondingly, the uses of the research forest were divided into three areas, including education, research, and other. This section will summarize the results in each use category.

Educational Uses

The Research Forest, since its acquisition in 1941, has continued to be an important educational resource for the undergraduate and graduate forestry program. Currently, the Research Forest serves a variety of forestry classes (Map_). Overall, educational uses of the property were identified as:

• Silvicultural demonstration areas, including sugarbush management, thinning demonstration areas, silviculture class exercises, fire demonstration areas, plantation conversion management, demonstrations of even-aged and uneven-aged stand structure

• Early successional habitat management

• Later successional forest development

• Forest inventory methodology and techniques including permanent plots, cover type mapping

• Smartwood sustainable forest management certification

• Soil mapping and field checking

• Alternative silvicultural manipulation systems

• Non-native tree species identification

• Riparian management and sensitive areas, including vernal pools

• Natural disturbance regimes

• Forest pathology

• Forest entomology

• Geological features (i.e. gradient of surficial deposits from Winooski River and glacial striations and boulder train on ridge above facilities)

Future potential educational uses of the Research Forest include:

• The development of the Research Forest as the hub for undergraduate forestry education (i.e. Center for Jericho Research Forest Education Initiative)

• Smartwood Assessor Training Workshops

• Fully instrumented and calibrated watershed

Research Uses

Until the mid 1950’s research was a major function of the Research Forest. Changes in the funding opportunities and faculty personnel have meant that although research projects still occur on the Research Forest, in general they are longer-term studies, which generally augment educational opportunities across the forest. The following is a list of the current identified research projects occurring on the Research Forest.

• Butternut Health monitoring

• Tree disease nurseries

• Vermont Forest Ecosystem Management Demonstration Project (FEMDP) silvicultural treatments

Areas of potential future research interests at the Research Forest were identified as:

• Genetic mapping of forest

• American chestnut plantings

Other Uses

There are several recreational trails throughout the Research Forest, which comprise the majority of other uses. Although these trails serve the RSENR community, they are also used by a variety of external stakeholders, including:

• Mountain bike trails along Mill Brook and Tarbox Road

• VAST snowmobile trail

• Hiking trails

Potential future other uses of the Research Forest were identified to include:

• A small conference or retreat center

• Residence for 1-2 visiting researchers or educators

• Wood supply for UVM and RSENR building projects (i.e., trim and furniture)

• Demonstration area for sustainable forestry for external constituents

• A site for renewable energy production (i.e., wind turbines, biomass burning)

Values

Values of the Jericho Research Forest, for the purpose of this chapter, are defined as an attribute or place intrinsically important, significant, or desirable. Although these values may also have uses, the significance of these features makes them valuable to the RSENR community. The values associated with the Research Forest were divided into ecological features and other features.

Ecological Values

The physical location of the Research Forest spanning (including the 128 acre Rogers Tract) from the Winooski River flats to the foothills of the Green Mountains creates a wide variety of ecological features that are valued by the RSENR community: These features include:

• Examples of later successional post-agricultural land use northern hardwood forest

• Fine-scale natural disturbance regimes

• Multi-layered uneven aged structure

• Sensitive Areas (including vernal pools, seeps, wetlands)

• Rich northern hardwood areas

• Potential wildlife corridors

• Riparian Area and Class Two Wetland

• Patches of old, unique, white pine

• Rare plants (such as drooping bluegrass identified by Bob Popp in Compartment and 3-leaved sedge identified in a wetland on the Rogers Tract)

General ecological values associated with the Research Forest include:

• Substrate diversity and ecological diversity

• Fragmented forest cover types

• Contiguous conserved land, including adjacent UVM owned Rogers Tract and adjacent town owned Mobb Farm property

Other Values

In addition to the ecological values associated with the Research Forest, the late 1700’s farmhouse that stills exists on the property, was identified as an important cultural feature. Additional values outlined by the RSENR community include the present opportunity to expand the Research Forest property. This opportunity includes a large parcel of land that borders the Research Forest to the west, the Fay Farm parcel, which is currently on the market.

Synthesizing the Current uses and Values and Envisioning A Future for the Jericho ResEarch Forest

In addition to identifying the current values and uses associated with the Research Forest, the mapping session facilitated discussion of the current role of the Research Forest and identified areas of potential future management expansion. The following is a synthesis of the general themes and visions put forth by participants during a brainstorming session.

General themes

The process of mapping brought several themes to the surface. In general, the areas of education and research dominate the current uses of the forest, and in fact, these uses seem to be augmenting each other. Furthermore, the current research and educational uses are predominantly focused on forestry, and generally, are not inclusive of other programs within the School. Participants outlined several of the challenges facing the current use of the Research Forest including:

• Lack of identity, what is the role of the Research Forest for the RSENR community

• Lack of cohesion between user groups within RSENR and lack of structure as to which uses are appropriate for JRF

• Relatively small number of RSENR faculty members and staff currently use the Research Forest, or feel they have a stake in future management planning

Visions for the Future of the Jericho Research Forest

Beyond creating a knowledge base of the current uses and values of the Research Forest, the process of mapping important areas or features of the Jericho Research Forest stimulates discussion about the future management of the property. Although the purpose of the event was not to make any decisions regarding current or future management, the small group discussions held during the mapping session arrived at a number of potential management visions. The following is a listing of the visions put forth by participants:

• Expansion of property ownership to include the Fay Farm

• Promote diversity of educational and research uses

• Promote outside user groups (including other UVM user groups and potential external user groups)

• Promote an active role in larger landscape conservation and biodiversity

• Promote public use

• Actively seek certification by Smartwood

• Promote and diversify small-scale class use

• Promote and support large-scale outside user groups (including Smartwood)

• Promote the development of a center for sustainable forestry demonstration and education

-----------------------

[1] Mission statement taken directly from RSENR website

[2] Information summarized from the Essex Junction NOAA weather station for 2003.

[3] Personal Communication 10/_/04

[4] This section draws heavily on several resources, included in the JRF history folder in the field office. Additionally, History of Jericho, Vermont (1976) was drawn on heavily as a resource for identifying the chain of ownership and land uses on the Research Forest

[5] Dr William Adams in “ The Vermont Research Forest” in History of Jericho Vermont

[6] Dr William Adams in “ The Vermont Research Forest” in History of Jericho Vermont

[7] A sweet raised bread baked again until it is brown, hard and crisp (Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary 1971)

[8] Johnson

[9] Burlington Free Press and Times, March 29, 1941.

[10] Grades 4 (boltwood), 5 (poles), and 7 (local use) offered by NED were not used during the inventory

[11] The State of Vermont offers several guidelines for deer wintering areas, including that 50% of the wintering area remain functional at all times (Reay et al. 1990)

[12] The State of Vermont offers several guidelines for deer wintering areas, including that 50% of the wintering area remain functional at all times (Reay et al. 1990)

[13] Put into effect in January 2002, by the Water Resources Board

[14] Adapted from Flatebo et al 1999 and the Nature Conservancy management guidelines for Atlas Timberlands

[15] Including single tree selection and small group selection, while retaining 85% canopy closure around vernal pools

[16] Mandated by Vermont State Water Resources Board “Vermont Wetland Rules” effective 2002.

[17] Based on half of the (McGee el al. 1999) old growth forest downed woody debris of 140 cu m/ha, for second growth (70-90 yrs old) forests.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download