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Deer browsing and the consequent interfering vegetation complexes that typify understory conditions in many northeastern woodlands today pose an increasing threat to healthy and productive forests. In 2017, CCE foresters began experimenting with an innovative strategy known as “Slash Walls” to address these challenges. Slash Walls utilize low-value or non-merchantable logging residues to form barriers around regenerating stands capable of excluding deer for a decade or more while the young trees grow beyond their reach. Over 400 acres have successfully been protected to date at Cornell’s Arnot Forest at a significantly lower cost than the alternative of fencing. Research continues to document the growth and composition of the resulting young forest. Please subscribe on the “News” page to receive updates on this work and notifications for related educational events.