2018 Mixed Oak-Hickory Session

Agenda, Presentations (below) and Class Picture

Sturbridge Host on Cedar Lake Hotel and Conference Center, Sturbridge, MA

To learn more about our instructors, click on their names.

Thursday, July 12, 2108

Welcome, institute overview including NASP, and introductions—Bob Cooke, Karen Bennett, Charlie Levesque

Mixed oak-hickory history, silvics and stand dynamics—Mark Ashton and Jeff Ward

Forest health including identification and management of insects and diseases and impacts of natural disturbances—Isabel Munck

Acorn abundance patterns and their implications for wildlife and other wildlife considerations—Scott Williams and Michael Gregonis

Some economic and logistical considerations for timber management in a parcelized landscape—Tom Worthley

Mixed oak-hickory silvicultural systems—Mark Ashton and Jeff Ward

Small group activity: Mixed Oak-Hickory: Developing silvicultural prescriptions on different sites.

Friday, July 13, 2018, Field trip to Yale-Myers Forest, Eastford CT

• Identifying hickories
• Kozy Road Trail at Yale Myers Forest–Stop 1
• Effects of legacy forest structure on regeneration in irregular shelterwoods in oak-hardwood forests–Stop 2
• Nature’s Bounty–Stop 2
• Nature’s Calling–Stop 2

Field trip leaders: Mark Ashton, Michael Gregonis, Isabel Munck Jeff Ward, Scott Williams, Jessica Wikle, and Tom Worthley

Required video

Click on link below. It takes you to the Institute Online page.  Click on “overview session videos”.  If you have not accessed the Silviculture Institute online material, you will have to create a free Vimeo account.  Once you have done that, find the 2nd video entitled “Silvicultural Review: Back to Basics” and click on “Rent $4.95” and then on the next page click on “Apply promo code” and enter “Overview”.  If you do this, the video is free to watch.

Silvicultural Review: Back to Basics, Dr. Tony D’Amato, University of Vermont

Required Readings

Please read these in advance of attending the session. Bring copies of readings for reference. Copies won’t be provided at module session:

• Frey, B.R., M.S. Ashton, J.J. McKenna, D.Ellum, and A. Finkral. 2007. Topographic and temporal patterns in tree seedling establishment, growth, and survival among masting species of southern New England mixed-deciduous forests. Forest Ecology and Management 245: 54-63
• Lefland, A.B., M.C. Duguid, R.S. Morin, and M.S. Ashton. 2018. The demographics and regeneration dynamic of hickory in second-growth temperate forest. Forest Ecology and Management 419-420: 187-196.
• Smith, D.M., and M.S. Ashton. 1993. Early Dominance of Pioneer Hardwood After Clearcutting and Removal of Advanced Regeneration. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. 10(1): 14-19.
• Ward, J.S. 2017. Twenty-five year response of non-crop trees to partial release during precommercial crop tree management. Forest Ecology and Management 387: 12-18.
• Ward, J.S., G.R. Stephens, and F.J. Ferrandino. 2005. Influence of cutting methods on residual stand growth in sawtimber oak stands. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 22(1): 59-67.

Suggested Readings

• Frey, B.R. and M.S. Ashton. 2018. Growth, survival and sunfleck response of underplanted red oaks (Qurercus spp., section Erythrobalanus) along topographic gradient in southern New England. Forest Ecology and Management 419-420: 179-186.
• Leak, W.B., M. Yamasaki, J.S. Ward, K. Desmarais, and K.P. Bennett. 2017. Ecology and Management of Northern Red Oak in New England. University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, Durham, NH.
• Developing natural regeneration methods for second growth mixed-oak forests across complex landscapes webinar presented by Mark Ashton on 2/3/17

Developing silvicultural prescriptions on different sites assignment

The goal of this assignment is to apply the knowledge gained through today’s presentations and your previous experience to develop silvicultural strategies for mixed oak-hickory forests based on their topographical position on the landscape.

Form a small group and discuss the questions on this worksheet: Assignment for Mixed Oak-Hickory: Developing silvicultural prescriptions on different sites. Fill out and submit one group worksheet  (see “Upload your assignment” below) by Friday morning before the session begins. When naming the file, use at least one last name of a person in your group.

Upload your assignment here