A Silviculture Case Study

Silviculture Case Study : 

1938-2040 Even-Aged Management of a Red Pine Plantation Savoy Mountain State Forest Silviculture Case Study

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Civilian Conservation Corps Camp SA-70, Co. 1171, Savoy Mountain State Forest - 1936 View from the south, east of New State Road and north of Tannery Road Earlier 1933 view before all construction was completed

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Aerial photograph of the camp area – same year the camp was closed. Red Pine Plantation Camp Area Clearing Camp Administration Area 1940

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Aerial photograph of the camp area in the same year the camp was closed. Red Pine Plantation Camp Area Clearing Camp Administration Area 1942 Above: Red pine planted in open field

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1966 Red pine canopy has mostly closed and individual stems are now competing for growing space. Some stems lose this competition and die. Camp administration area is now mixed young hardwood forest with patches of early successional habitat around the former camp building areas Right: A plantation similar in age and structure, if not species.

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1980 Intermediate Treatment: 1974: Row Thinning At this point in time, trees are pole-sized - 6-10” in diameter. Narrow rows of trees were removed at intervals throughout the stand to provide additional growing space for the residual stand. Right: An example of plantation row thinning. Above: Canopy condition 5 years following the row thinning

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1990 Establishing New Growth: 1985: Shelterwood A percentage of the overstory is removed in the Shelterwood Establishment Cut to provide the necessary sunlight to establish mixed native hardwood regeneration. Above: Canopy condition 5 years following harvest Right: A red pine plantation in Wendell State Forest 10 years following a similar treatment.

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2001 The Final Harvest: 2000: Removal A single removal operation lessens impacts to soil and the new stand, but has a substantial aesthetic impact. Right: A nearby plantation removal in Savoy 2 years after an overstory removal.

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2008 Above: The density of hardwood growth is evident in this photo. Regrowth: 2008: In less than ten years, the hardwood has grown vigorously and is now classified as young forest. Right: Mixed maples, birches, cherries occupying the site 9 years following the harvest

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2008 photographs of the developing hardwood stand on the former CCC camp and red pine plantation. Old red pine stump Old skid trail now used as a recreational trail Mixed hardwood regeneration

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The future stand . . . Above: The next decade will see the transition to a closed canopy of saplings Below: The saplings (left) will transition to pole timber and the forest will continue to develop a more complex structure. Photos: Former clearings in Savoy adjacent to Savoy Mountain State Forest

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30 to 40 years following the clearcut, a native hardwood forest has replaced the red pine monoculture. Photo: Former clearcut in Savoy adjacent to Savoy Mountain State Forest