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Greene County Woodlands :Greene County Woodlands :An Essential ResourceAn Essential Resource
October 29, 2015October 29, 2015
Marilyn Wyman Marilyn Wyman Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene CountiesCornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties
Cornell Cooperative ExtensionCornell Cooperative Extensionof Columbia & Greene Countiesof Columbia & Greene CountiesAgroforestry Resource CenterAgroforestry Resource Center
Agroforestry Resource Agroforestry Resource CenterCenter
Cornell Cooperative Cornell Cooperative ExtensionExtension
6055 Route 236055 Route 23Acra, NY 12405Acra, NY 12405518-622-9820518-622-9820
www.ccecolumbiagreene.org
Cornell Cooperative Extension Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and provides equal program and
employment opportunity.employment opportunity.
PresentationPresentation : : Overview and History NYS forests Overview and History NYS forests Values of our forestsValues of our forests Threats to our forestsThreats to our forests Greene County forests Greene County forests Summary Summary
So Who Owns New York State Forests ?New York Forest Area: 18.95 million acres, 63% of
land area, about one acre per resident
Publicly-owned Forest Land: at least 3.7 million acres or 20%
Privately-owned Forest Land Area: 14.4 million acres; 76% of forest land; owned by 687,000 land owners
Northern hardwood forest – 1700Northern hardwood forest – 1700: : New New York was extensively forested, probably near York was extensively forested, probably near 90%. The only areas of young timber were the 90%. The only areas of young timber were the result of storm damage, floods, or fires. Most result of storm damage, floods, or fires. Most regeneration took place in the gaps created by regeneration took place in the gaps created by fallen canopy trees.fallen canopy trees.
Pioneer subsistence farming – 1740Pioneer subsistence farming – 1740:: Forests were considered an impediment to Forests were considered an impediment to civilization, which depended entirely on farming. civilization, which depended entirely on farming. Every community had a sawmill that used the pine Every community had a sawmill that used the pine & hemlock, as the hardwoods were too large & & hemlock, as the hardwoods were too large & heavy to be of much utility. Most of the heavy to be of much utility. Most of the “inexhaustible” wood supply was burned.“inexhaustible” wood supply was burned.
Height of intensive farming – 1830:Height of intensive farming – 1830: Estimates are that 80% of New York and New Estimates are that 80% of New York and New
England were being farmed. England were being farmed.
Intensive farming abandoned – 1850:Intensive farming abandoned – 1850: The eroded and worn-out soils caused many The eroded and worn-out soils caused many farmers to seek employment in factories that were farmers to seek employment in factories that were springing at the start of the industrial revolution. springing at the start of the industrial revolution. The abandoned fields were ideal nurseries for pine, The abandoned fields were ideal nurseries for pine, maple, and ash.maple, and ash.
First crop of old-field white pine – 1910First crop of old-field white pine – 1910:: From 1895 to 1925 an estimated 15 billion From 1895 to 1925 an estimated 15 billion board feet of pine were harvested from the board feet of pine were harvested from the former farms.former farms.
Volunteer Hardwood Regeneration – Volunteer Hardwood Regeneration – 1915:1915: The clearcutting of the pines The clearcutting of the pines released the advanced regeneration of released the advanced regeneration of maple & beech from the understory. maple & beech from the understory. Clearcuts of hardwoods for charcoal created Clearcuts of hardwoods for charcoal created favorable conditions for cherry, oak, and favorable conditions for cherry, oak, and ash.ash.
Hardwoods form second crop – 1930Hardwoods form second crop – 1930:: Thinning for firewood and cordwood from Thinning for firewood and cordwood from these stands resulted in the nicest stands these stands resulted in the nicest stands we have today.we have today.
Prott’s Hill, Newfield (Tompkins Co.), Prott’s Hill, Newfield (Tompkins Co.), NY 1870 and 1970NY 1870 and 1970:: Illustration of the Illustration of the
dynamics and resiliency of our forests. Note dynamics and resiliency of our forests. Note that the house and covered bridge are in that the house and covered bridge are in
both photos. both photos.
Forests provide clean water Forests provide clean water They are natural filters, prevent erosion, They are natural filters, prevent erosion, fill reservoirs and create “new water”. fill reservoirs and create “new water”. Forests are buffers against flooding, Forests are buffers against flooding, especially along streams. especially along streams.
Ecological values of forests Ecological values of forests
Canopy leaves Canopy leaves intercept rainintercept rain
Ground cover, debris Ground cover, debris slow overland flowslow overland flow Thick, porous soils Thick, porous soils
absorb and filter water absorb and filter water and recharge ground and recharge ground waterwater
Forests Slow the Flow of Forests Slow the Flow of WaterWater
Trees increase filtration & absorb Trees increase filtration & absorb waterwater
One tree One tree can reduce can reduce storm water runoff by storm water runoff by 13,000 gallons per 13,000 gallons per yearyear..
Losing 10% of Losing 10% of forest forest cover to cover to impervious surface impervious surface can can doubledouble runoffrunoff and and increase flood increase flood frequency as much frequency as much as 28% as 28% (Arnold and (Arnold and Gibbons 1996, Gibbons 1996, Bradshaw et al. 2007). Bradshaw et al. 2007).
Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS
Forests stabilizeForests stabilize stream stream
banksbanks
Lack of buffer, devastation
Forested side has far less erosion and damage
Forests clean Forests clean the airthe air. . TheyThey filter air filter air pollutants and pollutants and sequester carbon sequester carbon ..
Forests support Forests support numerous numerous plants and plants and animal species animal species . .
Forests support healthy, Forests support healthy, sustainable rural sustainable rural economies –value added economies –value added forest products, tourism, forest products, tourism, hunting, fishing and hunting, fishing and recreation.recreation.
Economic values of Economic values of forests forests
Wood furniture sequesters carbonWood furniture sequesters carbon.
Forests provide Forests provide Renewable Renewable EnergyEnergyIntegrate Integrate production of production of energy from energy from forest biomass forest biomass into into biorefineries, co-biorefineries, co-generation generation facilities or other facilities or other energy streamsenergy streams
Biomass Energy for Public Biomass Energy for Public BuildinBuildingsgs
Existing wood heat Existing wood heat technology allows technology allows cost-effective cost-effective replacement of fossil replacement of fossil fuels while being clean fuels while being clean and efficientand efficient
Allows cost savings Allows cost savings while supporting local while supporting local businesses and forestsbusinesses and forests
Bulk delivery options Bulk delivery options availableavailable
> 1/3 of Vermont > 1/3 of Vermont schools are heated schools are heated with woodwith wood
Town offices, highway garages, schools, and Town offices, highway garages, schools, and other commercial/ institutional buildings are other commercial/ institutional buildings are
good candidates for wood heatgood candidates for wood heat
There is a need for There is a need for utilizing low grade wood. utilizing low grade wood.
More later.More later.
Logging and forest management Logging and forest management industries industries in NYSin NYSEmploys nearly 6,000 New YorkersEmploys nearly 6,000 New Yorkers. .
Sale of standing timber to the forest products Sale of standing timber to the forest products industry provides more than industry provides more than $250 million $250 million annually forest land owners. annually forest land owners.
The The forest products forest products manufacturing sector manufacturing sector employs approximately employs approximately 50,000 people50,000 people..
The The annual payroll from these jobs is more annual payroll from these jobs is more than $1.5 billion than $1.5 billion and the and the value of shipments value of shipments from the wood products industry in New from the wood products industry in New York is $6 billionYork is $6 billion. .
NYS Forests: Income and JobsNYS Forests: Income and Jobs. .
Other income opportunities from forests.Other income opportunities from forests.
Forests provide Forests provide mental and mental and physical health physical health benefits. benefits.
Green Medicine: Prescribing a dose of outdoors to prevent or treat a range of health illnesses from heart disorders to attention deficit disorder. Prescription includes the location of a green space, a trail and exact mileage. Journal of Environmental Science and TechnologyJournal of Environmental Science and Technology
More information the on DEC More information the on DEC website website
Health Benefits From ForestsHealth Benefits From Forests Boosts immune systemBoosts immune system Lowers blood pressureLowers blood pressure Reduces stressReduces stress Improves moodImproves mood Increases ability to focus, even in Increases ability to focus, even in
children with ADHDchildren with ADHD Accelerates recovery from surgery or Accelerates recovery from surgery or
illnessillness Increases energy levelIncreases energy level Improves sleepImproves sleep
Photo: Jennifer Miller
Research is showing that visiting a forest has real, quantifiable Research is showing that visiting a forest has real, quantifiable health benefits, both mental and physical. Even five minutes around health benefits, both mental and physical. Even five minutes around trees or in green spaces may improve health. Think of it as a trees or in green spaces may improve health. Think of it as a prescription with no negative side effects that's also free.prescription with no negative side effects that's also free.http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90720.htmlhttp://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90720.html
Parcelization from Parcelization from development pressures development pressures fragment NYS forestsfragment NYS forests. .
Parcel size of forests have been shrinking. Parcel size of forests have been shrinking. The average was 40-50 acres in the 1950’s The average was 40-50 acres in the 1950’s and are now under 15and are now under 15..
ThreatsThreats to foreststo forests
One of the most common reasons landowners in NYS One of the most common reasons landowners in NYS subdivide: fsubdivide: financial pressure inancial pressure (medical costs and (medical costs and unexpected financial pressures top 2 reasons).unexpected financial pressures top 2 reasons).
Why?Why? Property taxesProperty taxes Poor return on forest investmentPoor return on forest investment In the Catskills, households with incomes below In the Catskills, households with incomes below
$50,000/year were far more likely to subdivide and $50,000/year were far more likely to subdivide and sell (Stone & Tyrrell 20120sell (Stone & Tyrrell 20120
. .
Result: Subdivision = Impervious Result: Subdivision = Impervious Surface AreaSurface Area
In the Catskill/Delaware Watersheds, each new subdivided parcel adds an average 3,200 sq. ft. of impervious surface area within 20 years (Anderson et al. 2012)
1 parcel195 acresISA: 5,000 ft2
39 parcels195 acresISA: 125,000 ft2
Losing 10% of forest cover to impervious surface can double runoff and increase flood frequency as much as 28%.
In this situation, subdivision resulted in a 25-fold increase in impervious surface area.
Subdivision also leads to forest Subdivision also leads to forest fragmentation fragmentation
Forest fragmentation prevents viable economic Forest fragmentation prevents viable economic opportunities, opportunities, decreases forest habitat quality and health, disrupts wildlife movement, and facilitates the spread of invasive species. These impacts are greatest at forest edges but can extend for hundreds of feet into forest patches, often displacing sensitive species that depend on interior forest.
Planning for forests, by Planning for forests, by necessity, are long-term. necessity, are long-term. The plan guides activities The plan guides activities for decades, providing for decades, providing continuity through continuity through successive generations of successive generations of owners. The first step is to owners. The first step is to determine priorities, set determine priorities, set goals & identify the goals & identify the activities to reach those activities to reach those goals.goals.
How to avoid How to avoid fragmentation? One fragmentation? One way is forest planningway is forest planning..
Literature shows that Literature shows that about 10% of private about 10% of private forest landowners actively forest landowners actively manage their forests (5% manage their forests (5% with management plans) with management plans) and there is no focus on and there is no focus on regeneration.regeneration.
And harvesting without And harvesting without professional advice may professional advice may result in a diminished result in a diminished forestforest. .
High grading or exploitation harvestHigh grading or exploitation harvest“Take the best and leave the rest“Take the best and leave the rest” ”
Most of NYS forests have been repeatedly high Most of NYS forests have been repeatedly high graded, resulting in an abundance of low value graded, resulting in an abundance of low value
wood wood !
Forest management practices Forest management practices can support wildlife habitatcan support wildlife habitat
Species richness for the assemblage of bird species known to prefer Species richness for the assemblage of bird species known to prefer mature forests (left) and early successional forests (right) in New mature forests (left) and early successional forests (right) in New
York (source: New York Audubon)York (source: New York Audubon)Most of New York’s bird species of “greatest conservation need” require early successional habitat (open land, shrubland, seedling/sapling forests)!
Help for Forest landownersHelp for Forest landowners Only incentive in NYS is 480-a Forest Only incentive in NYS is 480-a Forest
Tax Law.Tax Law. Department of Environmental Department of Environmental
Conservation provides Stewardship Conservation provides Stewardship Plan assistance. Plan assistance.
Master Forest Owners Woods Walk.Master Forest Owners Woods Walk.
The wild card, The wild card, Invasive Invasive SpeciesSpecies
The New York Invasive Species The New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse and Cornell Clearinghouse and Cornell Cooperative Extension Invasive Cooperative Extension Invasive Species program Species program NYIS.info NYIS.info
New York State – A Hot SpotNew York State – A Hot Spot
Emerald Ash Borer, EABEmerald Ash Borer, EABAgrilus plannipennisAgrilus plannipennis
Small (3/8-3/4’ long) Small (3/8-3/4’ long) metallic wood-boring metallic wood-boring beetle found only on ash beetle found only on ash trees. Introduced from trees. Introduced from China through packing China through packing material.material.
And the best And the best indicator…..indicator…..
Woodpecker foraging !
Liability issues Liability issues Dead ash trees are a Dead ash trees are a public safety issue. public safety issue. Dead ash trees lose Dead ash trees lose their limbs easily their limbs easily which can cause which can cause damage to people and damage to people and property. $5 billion property. $5 billion spent annually on spent annually on insect pests in the US insect pests in the US with higher impacts with higher impacts on suburban and on suburban and urban homeowners urban homeowners and municipalities. and municipalities.
Hemlock Wooly AdelgidHemlock Wooly AdelgidHWA was first detected in New HWA was first detected in New York State in the early 1980s. York State in the early 1980s. Outbreaks have expanded from Outbreaks have expanded from initial infestations on Long initial infestations on Long Island and the Hudson Valley to Island and the Hudson Valley to the Catskills and Finger Lakes the Catskills and Finger Lakes region.region.
HWA Management HWA Management Currently, the two Currently, the two approaches for approaches for managing HWA managing HWA infestations are infestations are chemical insecticides chemical insecticides and the use of natural and the use of natural enemy predator species enemy predator species as biological control.as biological control. Laricobius nigrinsLaricobius nigrins
William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org
HWA may impact riparianHWA may impact riparian stream buffers stream buffers
Asian Long Horned BeetleAsian Long Horned BeetleAnoplophora glabripennisAnoplophora glabripennis
Original infestations Original infestations NYC (1996) NYC (1996) Solid wood packing materialSolid wood packing material
Initial spread from point sourcesInitial spread from point sourcesseems to be relatively slow.seems to be relatively slow.Multiple species of trees are Multiple species of trees are Attacked; Attacked; maple, beech, birch, maple, beech, birch, aspen, elm, ash, & cottonwoodaspen, elm, ash, & cottonwood
New finding on Long islandNew finding on Long island
Japanese Stilt Grass Japanese Stilt Grass Microstegium vimineumMicrostegium vimineum
Adapted to low light conditions. Adapted to low light conditions. Threatens native plants and natural Threatens native plants and natural
habitats in open to shady, and moist habitats in open to shady, and moist to dry locations. to dry locations.
Forms extensive patches, displacing Forms extensive patches, displacing native species that are not able to native species that are not able to compete with it. compete with it.
Where white-tail deer are over-Where white-tail deer are over-abundant, they may facilitate its abundant, they may facilitate its invasion by feeding on native plant invasion by feeding on native plant species and avoiding stilt grass.species and avoiding stilt grass.
May impact other plants by changing May impact other plants by changing soil chemistry & shading other soil chemistry & shading other plants.plants.
Japanese Barberry Japanese Barberry Berberis Berberis thunbergiithunbergii
Forms dense stands in canopy forests, open Forms dense stands in canopy forests, open woodlands, wetlands, pastures, and woodlands, wetlands, pastures, and meadows and alters soil pH, nitrogen levels, meadows and alters soil pH, nitrogen levels, and biological activity in the soil. and biological activity in the soil.
Displaces native plants and reduces wildlife Displaces native plants and reduces wildlife habitat and forage. Introduced to the United habitat and forage. Introduced to the United States in 1875 but States in 1875 but it wasn’t considered a it wasn’t considered a problem until the 1980s . problem until the 1980s .
White-tailed deer avoid browsing barberry, White-tailed deer avoid browsing barberry, giving barberry a competitive advantage. giving barberry a competitive advantage. Also earth worms increase.Also earth worms increase.
Lyme DiseaseLyme Disease. Barberry creates a perfect, . Barberry creates a perfect, humid environment for ticks. Williams humid environment for ticks. Williams ”When we measure the presence of ticks ”When we measure the presence of ticks carrying the Lyme spirochete (Borrelia carrying the Lyme spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) we find 120 infected ticks where burgdorferi) we find 120 infected ticks where Barberry is not contained, 40 ticks per acre Barberry is not contained, 40 ticks per acre where Barberry is contained, and only 10 where Barberry is contained, and only 10 infected ticks where there is no Barberryinfected ticks where there is no Barberry
Lack of new trees to Lack of new trees to replace old onesreplace old ones
A primary factor limiting A primary factor limiting forest regeneration is forest regeneration is deer deer browsebrowse; however, invasive ; however, invasive plants, poor timber plants, poor timber management, changing management, changing weather patterns, air weather patterns, air pollution, pollution,
and pests and diseases all and pests and diseases all have the potential to have the potential to severely limit the capacity severely limit the capacity of New York's trees and of New York's trees and forests to regenerate.forests to regenerate.
Don’t Move Firewood !Don’t Move Firewood !
Current regulations prohibit the import of Current regulations prohibit the import of firewood into New York unless it has been heat firewood into New York unless it has been heat treated to kill pests. The regulation also limits the treated to kill pests. The regulation also limits the transportation of untreated firewood to less than transportation of untreated firewood to less than 50 miles from its source within NYS.50 miles from its source within NYS.
By transporting firewood, you could be spreading By transporting firewood, you could be spreading diseases and invasive insects that can quickly kill diseases and invasive insects that can quickly kill large numbers of trees. Help STOP THE SPREAD large numbers of trees. Help STOP THE SPREAD and obey the Firewood Regulation.and obey the Firewood Regulation.
Declining forest health Declining forest health from from
climate changeclimate change
Seriously – Potential for shift in tree Seriously – Potential for shift in tree speciesspecies
Impacts of climate change will exacerbate pest and Impacts of climate change will exacerbate pest and pathogen problemspathogen problemsTree species range maps will likely changeTree species range maps will likely changePossible regional species impacted:Possible regional species impacted: Sugar mapleSugar maple Yellow birchYellow birch Paper birchPaper birch Red spruceRed spruce Quaking and Bigtooth aspenQuaking and Bigtooth aspen Northern white cedarNorthern white cedarReplaced largely by oak-hickoryReplaced largely by oak-hickory
Research led by ESF scientists involved analysis of growth rings from hundreds of trees across the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York state. It showed that a decline in the growth rate began for a majority of sugar maple trees after 1970. The reasons for the decline are unclear.
(Published Oct. 21, 2015) in the open-access journal "Ecosphere(Published Oct. 21, 2015) in the open-access journal "Ecosphere ."."
Projected shifts of tree species by the end of the centruy.
Source: USGCRP (2009)
Matrix ForestsMatrix ForestsMatrix forests represent the largest, most intact forests, whose size and natural condition allow for the maintenance of ecological processes, natural forest communities, and populations of forest-interior species (Anderson and Bernstein, 2003). These characteristics will likely contribute to resiliency in a changing climate. The goal of the matrix forest analysis was to identify viable examples of forest types that, if protected and allowed to regain their natural condition, will serve as critical source areas for species associated with the forest types or for species generally requiring forest-interior conditions. Conserving large, high quality natural areas such as these and natural connections between them will also allow plants and animals to move northward and higher in elevation as temperatures increase with climate change.
What can your community do?What can your community do?• Participate in workshops and
programs to gain knowledge about forests.
• Educate residents about the value and threats of forests by hosting or promoting related educational events and resources.
• Pursue stewardship projects to maintain and improve forests. (i.e. management and monitoring invasive species)
Photos by M. Wyman
• Designate Critical Environmental Areas to enhance recognition and conservation of the community’s valuable forest tracts.
• Ensure that larger contiguous forest cover patches are considered early during the planning review process and conserved to the greatest extent possible.
Photo by Gary Goff
What can your community do?What can your community do?
• Map forests as part of a municipal natural resource inventory.
• Identify and prioritize matrix forests and forest corridors as part of a municipal open space inventory.
Photo by M. Wyman
What can your community do?What can your community do?
• Include forest protection in subdivision regulations.
• Develop conservation overlay zones with added protection.
• Recommend and provide voluntary forest stewardship information to land use applicants.
• Partner with local land trusts to conserve priority forests.
Photo by M Wyman
What can your community do?What can your community do?
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Lands & Waters. http://www.dec.ny.gov/61.htmlLands & Waters. http://www.dec.ny.gov/61.html
A Municipal Officials Guide to Forestry in New A Municipal Officials Guide to Forestry in New York State York State http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/guihttp://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/guidetoforestry.pdfdetoforestry.pdf
Invasive Species in New York State NYIS.infoInvasive Species in New York State NYIS.info
Agroforestry Resource Center and the Siuslaw Agroforestry Resource Center and the Siuslaw Model Forest Model Forest Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties http://agroforestrycenter.org/Greene Counties http://agroforestrycenter.org/
Resources to help:Resources to help:
