A new series of experimental slash walls (visible in the background) were recently completed at the Arnot Forest to evaluate the influence of sunlight manipulation and other variables on regeneration. Additionally, a few “brush walls” were built (visible in the foreground) to evaluate regeneration in adjacent reverting agricultural field conditions. Regeneration will be monitored inside the 28 two and four-acre plots over the next several years to see how shelterwood (55 ft2/ac) and seed tree (27 ft2/ac) residual overstory stocking and understory treatments of full brushing (all stems removed to ground level) vs. partial brushing influence regeneration composition and growth. These treatments will also be tested over the “full” (10’ high by 20’ wide) and “half” (7’ high by 15’ wide) walls, and scales of two and four acres.
This work was a project of the Climate and Applied Forest Research Institute – a joint venture between Cornell University and SUNY ESF supported by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and the NYS Wood Products Development Council– to evaluate viable forest management strategies that will grow healthier and more productive forests into the future to capture and store more carbon.
a special thanks to former Arnot Forest team member Katie Simms for sharing this photo!