Managing heart rot in live trees for wildlife habitat in young-growth forests of coastal Alaska

Paul Hennon; Robin L. Mulvey

doi:10.2737/PNW-GTR-890

Treesearch

Managing heart rot in live trees for wildlife habitat in young-growth forests of coastal Alaska

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Paul Hennon, Robin L. Mulvey

Year:

2014

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-GTR-890

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-890. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 23 p.

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Download (PDF 1.69 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/45442.pdf

Abstract

Stem decays of living trees, known also as heart rots, are essential elements of wildlife habitat, especially for cavity-nesting birds and mammals. Stem decays are common features of old-growth forests of coastal Alaska, but are generally absent in young, managed forests. We offer several strategies for maintaining or restoring fungal stem decay in these managed forests that can be used to enhance specific types of wildlife habitat.

Keywords

stem decay, heart rot, cavity nest, wildlife habitat

Citation

Hennon, Paul E.; Mulvey, Robin L. 2014. Managing heart rot in live trees for wildlife habitat in young-growth forests of coastal Alaska. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-890. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 23 p.