Treesearch

Healthy, productive ecosystems require diverse plant populations that are adapted to the climates in which they are growing. The concept of local adaptation has been recognized as a critical component to reforestation success and forest productivity for nearly a century, leading to the development of seed zones for forest trees and, more recently, nontree restoration species. Fixed-boundary seed zones, however, assume that climates are static over time, which is no longer the case.

Increasing wildfire area burned and accelerated timber harvest have amplified the need for post-disturbance reforestation; this need has outpaced current capacity. Resource managers would use tools for identifying and prioritizing potential planting sites. A web-based decision support system was developed (DSS) to provide spatial information on potential for natural regeneration in post-disturbance environments. Users can select burn severity information using 1-year postfire data (Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity), or for recent disturbance events using either Rapid Assessment of...

Santalum species, including the endemic Hawaiian ‘iliahi (Santalum paniculatum), are ecologically distinct as evergreen, hemiparasitic trees. Being hemiparasitic means ‘iliahi can photosynthesize yet require suitable hosts for resource acquisition and longterm survival. Degradation of native tropical dry forests and the unsustainable removal of native tree species has resulted in ʻiliahi and other trees, including potential hosts to ʻiliahi, having greatly reduced populations and distributions.

In recent years, Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ employees have noted sites with limited reforestation success, as well as ecotones with evidence of plant shifts or longer-term disclimax following disturbance. I propose that we evaluate some of these sites and similar intact communities to identify plant species that may help us predict where such sites occur.

For centuries, western white pine (Pinus monticola) dominated moist forests of the northern Rocky Mountains. The fast-growing species, which can reach heights of 150 feet, was once an economic driver in the region. However, not much of the former forest remains. A combination of blister rust, beetles, and logging severely reduced the range of white pine during the 20th century.

Acres needing stand improvement, except for 2009, have consistently remained above 2.0 million acres per year from 2010 through 2019 (fig. 1a). Most of the acres consist of precommercial thinning (70%) followed by release (26%) with only a small portion of acres needing pruning and/or fertilization (4%). However, the proportion (an average of 11.7%) of acres treated are much smaller when compared to the acres that need treatment (fig. 1a, dark line). This is causing a critical imbalance concerning stand tending that is inconsistent with statutory direction contained in the National Forest...

Black ash (Fraxinus nigra) swamps represent 4.5% of the forested area in the western Great Lakes region (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin). Within the swamp hardwood cover type, black ash comprises 40% to almost 100% of the canopy cover and acts as a foundational species, impacting hydrologic regime, nutrient cycling, and wildlife habitat. The dominance of black ash in these stands makes them particularly vulnerable to the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). EAB infestation can result in a mortality rate of up to 99% for ash species...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service’s National Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetics Resources (RNGR) Program is conducted by a team of specialists (referred to as the “RiNGeR Team”) that provides regional and national technical assistance to nursery, reforestation, restoration, and seed professionals. The Forest Service National Seed Laboratory (NSL), a Tribal nursery emphasis, and research projects are also key components of the RNGR Program. RNGR Team members are geographically dispersed and attuned to both regional and national needs.

Hot, dry climates are a menace to seedling establishment in naturally and artificially regenerated forests alike. These tough outplanting conditions are problematic because a seedling’s limited mass dictates reserves of energy (sugars or starch), water, and nutrients. Furthermore, in order to establish itself, risky investments in growth must precede any leap in a seedling’s ability to acquire new resources (i.e., increases in light interception for photosynthesis or soil exploration for water and nutrient uptake). With new climate normals indicating hotter and dryer growing seasons...

One way to increase conversion of woody residues often burned in slash piles into a value-added product is to expand markets for biochar. Biochar has been used to increase the growth of agricultural crops, grass, and urban trees and it has also been used as replacement for Sphagnum peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite in growing substrates for container seedlings (Dumroese et al. 2020). Using biochar in bareroot nursery beds is an opportunity for improving soil properties while also reducing nutrient and irrigation inputs. After 1 year, biochar reduced the amounts of NO3 -- N (fig. 1)...