Documents and files
Reports
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Code Key Documentation | 2026 |
| Metadata | 2026 |
Publications
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Multiyear defoliations in southern New England increases oak mortality After decades of multiyear defoliation episodes in southern New England, Lymantria dispar dispar (previously gypsy moth) populations diminished with the appearance of the L. dispar fungus in 1989. Multiyear defoliations did not occur again until 2015–2018. To assess the impact of the return of multiyear defoliations, we examined 3095 oaks on 29 permanent study areas in Connecticut and Rhode Island that were established at least 11 years before the latest outbreaks. Pre-defoliation standlevel oak mortality averaged 2% (3-year basis). Post-defoliation mortality did not differ between managed and unmanaged stands but was much higher in severely defoliated stands (36%) than in stands with moderate (7%) or low to no defoliation (1%). Pre-defoliation mortality of individual trees differed among species, was lower for larger diameter trees and on unmanaged than managed stands. Post-defoliation mortality on plots with no to moderate defoliation was similar to pre-defoliation mortality levels. Following multiyear defoliations, white oak (Quercus alba L.) mortality was higher than for northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and black oak (Q. velutina Lam.). There was weak evidence that mortality was elevated on stands with higher basal area following severe defoliation. Natural resource managers should not assume that oaks that survived earlier multiyear defoliations episodes will survive future multiyear outbreaks, possibly because trees are older. | 2022 |
| INFLUENCE OF THINNING STYLE ON STAND STRUCTURE AND GROWTH IN UPLAND OAKS: A 58-YEAR CASE STUDY In 1937, a study comparing low and high thinning (partial crop tree release) was established in northwestern Connecticut. Oaks accounted for 65 percent of the crop trees that were partially released at stand ages 17, 26, and 42 years. Sawtimber trees had greater diameters, higher volumes, and higher tree grades on thinned than unmanaged plots. The higher oak density on the unmanaged plot was concentrated in poletimber trees (5 to 10 inches dbh). Tree sapling and shrub densities were higher on the low thinning plots. Density of a shade tolerant midstory dominated by red maple (Acer rubrum L.) poles was increased by high thinning, but reduced by low thinning. The minimal gain in tree grade on thinned plots indicates that the high cost of thinning/cleaning in sapling stands, as implemented in this study, is unlikely to be recovered in future harvests of mature sawtimber. | 2003 |
| Dynamics of Connecticut Hemlock Stands The stand dynamics and production of two one-acre plots of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis L) in Connecticut have been followed for more than six decades. Data were recorded for all individual trees. One plot (Saltonstall) was established in 1924 after the removal of a hardwood overstory. This stand had a nearly pure, almost fully closed understory of hemlock that was subjected to partial cuttings in 1936, 1954, and 1956. The stand was lost to the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) in 1993. The other plot (Perry) was established in 1931 in a nearly pure hemlock stand that had arisen on an abandoned pasture around 1850. This plot had a crop-tree release cutting in 1931 and has not been infested with hemlock woolly adelgid. | 1999 |
| Fifty-year response of a 135-yr-old white pine stand to partial thinning in Connecticut Gold's Pine plot (1.0 acre) was established in 1932 to study the effect partial thinning on stand growth in a mature white pine (Pinus strobus)-eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadanesis) stand. In 1994 the plot was expanded to 80x80 m and remeasured. The plot is located within Housatonic State Forest in western Connecticut. The stand was 135-yrold in 1932. Stand volume in 1932 was estimated to be 49 Mbf, 75% white pine and 25% eastern hemlock. Approximately 12 Mbf/acre has been harvested from the stand since 1944. Stand volume in 1994 was estimated to be 50 Mbf/acre. Over the 60-yr period mean diameter of white pines has increased from 20.7 to 28.8 inches. Height of codominants and dominants has increased from 110 to 127 ft with 14 trees/acre over 140 feet tall. There were 42 stems/acre in the understory (2-7 inches dbh) in 1932 consisting of eastern hemlock (64%), black birch (24%), white pine (2%), yellow birch (2%), white ash (2%), black cherry (2%), and sugar maple (2%). In 1994 there were 230 stems/acre in the understory consisting of eastern hemlock (53%), black birch (23%), striped maple (9%), sugar maple (7%), and yellow birch (6%). This case study suggests that mature white pine stands can be partially thinned to provide income and release stagnating trees without sacrificing “Big Tree" stand characteristics and continued volume growth of residuals. | 1995 |