Abstracts are in alphabetical order by author's last name.

Insect-Host Relations in Ice Damaged Northern Hardwood Stands
Douglas C. Allen and Al Stevenson, State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210

In January 1998, an ice storm caused severe crown breakage to northern hardwood stands in upstate New York. The hypothesis tested in this study was that trees damaged by this storm were susceptible to secondary wood-boring insects. Three ice storm-damaged stands in the Adirondack Park region were intensively sampled in 1999 and 2000 to evaluate the relationship between ice storm damage and abundance of secondary insects and insect-caused defects associated on the main boles of ice-damaged trees. Three 1/5th-acre plots were established in each stand where all trees greater than 8 inches dbh were felled. Sample sizes for major tree species were: Acer rubrum L. (153), A. saccharum Marsh. (118), Prunus serotina Ehrh. (61), Fraxinus americana L.(57) and Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. (44). No statistically significant (p=0.05) relationship was found in 1999 between the presence of secondary insects and amount of ice storm damage (percent broken branches). In 2000, sample trees were evaluated for density (# galleries / in2) of secondary insects, rather than just their presence or absence on tree boles, in relation to amount of ice storm damage. There was no statistically significant (p=0.05) relationship between the amount of ice storm damage and density of secondary insects. Examinations for insect-caused defects showed that secondary insects were not successfully breeding in ice damaged trees. Results indicate secondary insects were most likely to occur on dead branches (p<0.0001) and branch breakage was not a significant factor in determining susceptibility to attack. In conclusion, this aspect of the study indicated secondary wood boring insects posed no threat to three northern hardwood stands in upstate New York for two years following the ice storm of 1998. In 2000, Lingren funnel traps were baited with ethanol and wood chips from sugar maple, black cherry and white ash. Control traps were baited with ethanol alone. The only secondary insect responding significantly to the treatments (p=0.002) was Phloeotribus liminaris (Harris), the peach bark beetle. More of these beetles were caught in the black cherry + ethanol treatment than in control traps.

In the first section of this presentation, 3 long-term research projects carried out on the urban forest after the ’98 Ice Storm will be outlined:

• Canopy recovery retrospective: a look backward at the recovery of the Rochester urban forest after the ’91 Ice Storm, with particular attention to trees with canopy damage levels > 75%

• Canopy recovery prospective: a survey of the surviving North Country urban forest, and a study of the recovery differences among maples.

• Urban forest health monitoring: the establishment of permanent forest health plots in 4 communities in New York and New England.

The second section will describe significant new tools developed for mitigating the consequences for urban forests and foresters of future ice storms:

• Tree Emergency Manual: a handy guide for public tree managers that walks them through post-storm problems and prepares them for the next tree emergency.

• Storm Damage Assessment Protocol: a credible and reliable method for quickly estimating the levels and cost of damage to the urban forest from a disastrous storm.

• Revision of Removal Criteria: a review of potential changes in post-storm decision procedures suggested by ‘98 Ice Storm research.

 

Understanding and Addressing the Forestry-related Educational Needs of People Impacted by the January 1998 Ice Storm
Nancy A. Connelly, Human Dimensions Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 [Phone: (607) 255-2830 Email: nac4@cornell.edu],
Tommy L. Brown, Human Dimensions Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 [Phone: (607) 255-7695 Email: tlb4@cornell.edu] and
Peter J. Smallidge, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 [Phone: (607) 255-4696 Email: pjs23@cornell.edu]

The January 1998 ice storm created significant changes in rural and urban landscapes and thus affected not only ecological functions but also opportunities for residents and communities to maintain their livelihoods and pursue various land management options. We conducted four surveys with various stakeholders groups to: (1) evaluate a special Stewardship Incentive Program available to woodland owners affected by the ice storm (SIP-ICE); and (2) evaluate educational efforts aimed at these groups after the storm and assess future educational needs. We found that property damage among woodland owners from the ice storm varied widely, with almost half of the respondents saying they did not have any damage and approximately one-quarter saying all of their wooded property was damaged. Timber and woodlot management was the topic most respondents were interested in learning more about. Respondents said the best method to reach them with information was via newsletters and special mailings. Our survey of SIP-ICE applicants found that they were generally satisfied with the program. On average, respondents rated DEC foresters, Farm Service Agency staff, and consulting foresters between good and excellent on all characteristics queried. All staff were rated particularly courteous and helpful. DEC foresters were a source of technical information for most people and overall, applicants were satisfied with the amount and quality of technical information they received. A survey of maple producers found that almost half of respondents said they thought about the possibility of future ice storms when they made changes to their current maple syrup operation. Sugar bush management and sugar bush damage assessment were the topics cited most often by respondents as important for future educational communications. The last survey, conducted with tree care managers, found that most of them also thought about the possibility of future ice storms when making tree care decisions. The top priorities for continuing education topics, based on respondents’ interests, included information on legal issues and various topics focused on pruning. Mailings and newsletters would be the best way to reach most of these respondents, followed by workshops. Policy implications of these findings will be discussed.

Effects of Conventional Versus Salvage Logging on Wildlife Communities in Adirondack Hardwood Stands
Mitch Hartley, Mike Burger, National Audubon Society of New York State, 200 Trillium Lane, Albany, NY 12203 and Jan Beyea, Consulting in the Public Interest, Lambertville, NJ 08530

Differences in timber harvest methods and natural disturbance regimes cause forests to have different structural characteristics, (e.g. basal area), which can affect the animal communities found in managed forests. The 1998 ice-storm was a major natural disturbance in northern Adirondack forests. Its effects on forest structure in a given stand are a function of two things: actual damages caused by the storm, and whether or not the stand was salvage-logged. Because disturbances of this kind are uncommon, there is little research on how salvage-logging affects wildlife, and whether its effects differ compared to stands logged with conventional silvicultural methods. The objective of our research is to describe how various management practices affect faunal diversity in Adirondack northern hardwood forests. Specifically, we examined how harvest intensity (inversely related to residual basal area) affects faunal diversity, and whether or not those effects differ between conventional and salvage logging. During the summers of 1999 and 2000 we sampled 40 different stands (10 ha each) to measure vegetation characteristics and wildlife distributions. Each year 10 of these stands were in the central Adirondacks, where there was no ice-storm damage, and 18 stands were in St. Lawrence County, NY (hereafter northern ADK), which received severe ice-storm damage. The northern ADK sample included eight stands cut before the ice-storm by typical silvicultural methods ("conventional logging"), eight cut after (and in response to) the ice-storm ("salvaged") and two controls that have not been harvested in over 75 years. In both areas, we chose stands that varied along a gradient of harvest intensity. Our wildlife surveys focused on the richness and abundance of three taxa. We counted breeding birds at a series of standardized point counts. Amphibians were sampled by time-constrained area searches. Carrion beetles (Sylphidae) were collected at a pair of baited traps, for future analysis. We measured a host of structural and vegetative variables within each stand. These data allow us to understand which structural elements of habitat were most important for each group of animals. Preliminary analyses, combining all study sites, show a strong relationship between vegetation variables and the abundance of both birds and terrestrial amphibians. As expected from previous studies, there is a significant increase in abundance of mature-forest birds as residual basal area increases; conversely, as basal area decreases early-successional birds significantly increase in abundance. Many of these relationships hold separately within stand groups, especially in conventionally logged stands. However, even in salvaged stands, where the range of basal area was relatively narrow, significant relationships were found, especially for early successional birds. In any case, ANCOVA analyses indicate no statistically significant differences in the slopes of regression lines or in adjusted means for salvage versus conventionally logged stands. Thus, general knowledge of how forest management affects wildlife in conventional stands, developed in this and earlier studies, can be brought to bear on both salvaged and conventional stands, particularly for early-successional birds. Our data indicate that salvaged stands were generally cut more intensively than were conventionally logged stands. Thus, salvage logging has a predictable influence on wildlife communities, and typically creates conditions whereby early-successional birds are very abundant. Mature-forest birds would likely be more abundant if residual stocking was higher.

The Good, Bad and Ugly: Impacts of the January 1998 Ice Storm on Streams and Streamsides of the Adirondacks, NY
Clifford Kraft, Rebecca Schneider, Darby Kiley, and Dana Warren, Cornell University, Department of Natural Resources, Ithaca, NY 14853  [Phone: (607) 255-2821]

Overall, our findings indicate that ice storms are an important influence within the streams and streamside habitats of the Northeastern U.S. The direct damage to the streamside tree canopies is translated into the associated streams and downstream habitats. The availability of woody debris dams is increased, and provides critical habitats for fish and aquatic invertebrate communities. The 1998 Ice Storm was responsible for decreases in underground root biomass, and likely altered the associated streamside functions of erosion control or groundwater filtering. These findings complement the more extensive literature on ice storm impacts in terrestrial systems. However, they also suggest that ice impacts in streamsides are providing surprising benefits, in the form of woody debris habitat for fish, that are critical for sustainability of the aquatic ecosystem.

Results of Ontario's Forest Science Efforts Following the 1998 Ice Storm
R.A. Lautenschlager, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Forest Research Institute, 1235 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2E5 [Email: r.a.lautenschlager@mnr.gov.on.ca]and
Cathy Nielsen, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southcentral Science Section, Concession Road, P.O. Bag 2002, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0.

The 1998 ice storm, which caused extensive damage from eastern Ontario and New York to the Atlantic Ocean, led to a variety of economic and ecological questions. Following the storm the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, working with other organizations, developed short- and the longer-term plans, designed to document the consequence of that storm [Lautenschlager and Nielsen 1999 – For. Chron. 75(4):633-641]. Science initiated was the result of a synthesis of specific questions raised by governments, concerned publics, and/or stakeholder groups. Communication plans, designed into this study, have and continue to transfer all significant information gathered to those groups and external colleagues. To date, science efforts have produced: 1) a low-level aerial survey of forests in the damaged area; 2) extension notes for homeowners, landowners, maple syrup producers, plantation owners, natural resource agencies, and municipalities; 3) information for media and natural resource education groups; 4) standardized assessment techniques and training for those assessing damage and making recommendations; 5) literature reviews and synthesis; and 6) management guidelines. Research is underway across the mixedwood (Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region) forests of eastern Ontario. A replicated (35 1 ha blocks) post-storm experiment in "active" sugar-bushes was established in 1999. Each block was subdivided into 4 equal plots treated with: dolomitic lime (2000 kg/ha); phosphorus and potassium (each at 200 kg/ha); lime, phosphorus and potassium (2,400 kg/ha); or nothing (control). A companion experiment (3 1 ha blocks) is documenting affects of interactions between fertilizers and understory vegetation control. Data (foliar nutrients, root starch, sap sweetness, sap volume, taphole closure, and tree growth) documenting treatment effects, plus other data (foliar biomass, ground vegetation, microclimate, soil, and soil microbial communities) are being collected. Research in woodlots and plantations is documenting effects of damage to a variety of managed plots which were monitored before the storm; examining disease, stain, decay, and selected insect damage probabilities in broadleaf and conifer stands; documenting insect responses to damage in red pine plantations; and developing economically based decision-support tools for managing damaged pine, and maple stands and post-damage remedial treatments. . In addition, attempts are being made to scale stand level biological and economic information up to the landscape level. Conclusions from these studies will be available in January 2002.

The Next Ice Storm: What to Do?
Ralph D. Nyland, Distinguished Service Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210

Ice, snow, and wind have frequently damaged forests of Northeastern North America, and had a major effect on hardwood stands of New York State. The certainty of future losses to similar natural events demands preparedness to insure reasonable responses. Recent assessments funded by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the US Forest Service, and the New York Center for Forestry Research and Development provide insights that should help forest managers and landowners in the future.

Patience and caution should prevail, with deliberate assessment of ownership objectives and on-site conditions preceding any decision-making. Rehabilitation and salvage cutting should reflect a priority for dealing with the most urgent needs first, and for logically covering an entire forest with treatments fitted to the severity of damage and level of long-term losses anticipated. Evidence suggests that de-branched trees of upper canopy positions will likely survive and develop new crowns. Many stands in New York had ones of acceptable potential at about 30-35 foot intervals, allowing a rehabilitation cutting to a residual of about 40-45% relative density. But in doing the silviculture, managers must control logging to prevent damage to root systems and lower boles, and restrict skidding to times when the soil with support the machinery without deep rutting.

De-branched trees of upper canopy positions had extensive crown regrowth by the end of two growing seasons. Most should live. Decay discoloration and decay will likely enter the main stem through large branch stubs, and particularly in trees that receive basal or root injuries during salvage operations. Even so, landowners need not rush into hasty logging, since the value of de-branched trees will not decrease rapidly. Ones with broken tops appear more likely to die and deteriorate.

Stands damaged by ice accumulation during January 1998 have a bright understory, and herbaceous plants and existing tree seedlings have flourished. The openness also has stimulated the growth of advance beech seedlings and saplings, and that species may prevent regeneration of other trees where it occurs in abundance. Ferns have also proliferated on the more poorly drained soils, and will likely also interfere with new tree regeneration. These kinds of interfering plants will require attention in the future.

Experience following the January 1998 ice storm shows that landowners have time to evaluate their lands and to develop deliberate plans for dealing with the damage. Where ownership objectives encourage retention of a stand for future development, managers can safely keep de-branched trees of upper canopy positions at a uniform spacing. In current stands, these may include sufficient numbers for about 40-45% relative density. They will develop new crowns that should once more close the canopy,

Tree Response to Ice Storm Injury in Thinned and Unthinned Hardwood Stands
Julie L. Swisher and William Ostrofsky, University of Maine, 251 Nutting Hall, Orono, Maine 04469 [Phone: (207) 581-2839  Fax: (207) 581-2875   Email: julie_swisher@apollo.umenfa.maine.edu]

In January of 1998, a severe ice storm struck the northeastern United States and parts of southeastern Canada. Thinned forest stands may be more prone to ice injury than stands which had not been recently thinned, but may recover more readily. This hypothesis was tested at four sites across central Maine. At each site, a thinned and unthinned stand was located. Injury and recovery measurements were made on individuals of five hardwood species. There was a recognizable difference in injury between species. However, based on preliminary findings, no significant difference in injury between thinned and unthinned areas was noted. Vigor measurements suggested that recovery may be better in thinned stands. Crown recovery data is still being analyzed, but most trees are expected to eventually recover.

The January 1998 ice storm affected many components of northern New York’s forests. To better understand the ecological effects of the storm and thereby prepare us for making sound silvicultural recommendations in the event of future storms, we have been studying impacts of the ice storm on overstory trees, understory vegetation, white-tailed deer, several invertebrate taxa, and herpetofauna. Many intriguing patterns are evident, but because data analyses are not yet complete for several aspects of our research, many of our results are preliminary.

To assess relative damage among tree species, detailed condition information, including numbers of broken branches >5 cm diameter, broken tops, and healthy branches, was recorded for 5434 living trees >9 cm dbh from 603 ten-basal-area-factor prism plots (3 per forest stand) at 201 random points (stands) throughout the affected region of New York (Manion, Griffin, and Rubin). Twenty five percent of the sample stands had >20% branch breakage. Bigtooth aspen, northern red oak, red maple and eastern white pine had the most breakage. Comparison of potential mortality due to ice damage (i.e., mortality of trees with >75% of branches broken) to mortality expected without ice damage suggests that the ice storm may alter the health of 16-25% of the forest area but this is not sufficient to alter the health or sustainability of the larger forest system.

We are investigating interactions among white-tailed deer, competing vegetation (e.g., hay-scented fern), amount of canopy disturbance, and patterns of hardwood regeneration across northern New York (Didier and Porter). We are testing the use of fencing and herbicide treatments to control deer and competing vegetation, respectively, to ensure successful hardwood regeneration. We are trying to determine if regeneration in heavily disturbed sites will overwhelm deer, such that their impact is low compared to lightly disturbed stands, and we are examining interactions of rehabilitation operations and deer impacts on regeneration. We are also investigating broad-scale patterns of hardwood regeneration to see how these patterns relate to deer density, soils, and acid deposition.

Canopy damage resulted in substantial inputs of woody debris to forest floors. To assess impacts of this woody debris on invertebrates and herpetofauna, we established 40 plots across a gradient of canopy damage, measured volumes of downed woody debris, collected ground beetles, spiders, and carrion beetles, and estimated herpetofaunal abundance at each plot (Carter and Gibbs). We used pitfall and baited traps to collect ground beetles, spiders, and carrion beetles, and cover object transects to estimate herpetofaunal abundance at each plot. We are determining associations between amounts of canopy damage and corresponding species abundance and richness. We are also examining experimentally the relative contributions of different types of woody structure to faunal diversity by tracking temporal changes in community composition. To this end, we established 32 plots within an unmanaged northern hardwood forest, collected pre-treatment data for the previously described taxa, and subsequently removed combinations of leaf litter and woody debris from randomly assigned plots. Preliminary results suggest that spiders may respond to amounts of fine woody debris needed for web attachment and foraging, ground beetles may require deep leaf litter for predator avoidance, and salamanders may need decayed coarse woody debris for successful homeostasis.

Though preliminary, our results generally indicate that the 1998 ice storm was not "catastrophic" in its effects on northern New York’s forests.