SFR458–Beech Bark Disease Control

Objective:

  1. Survey and ascertain the health of a mixed-species stand with a high component of beech.
  2. Describe and discuss control options for diseased beech.
  3. Write a plan for monitoring and recommendations for managing a forest stand with beech.

References:

Houston, David R., and James T. Obrien. Beech Bark Disease. 1983. USDA Forest Service Forest Insect and Disease Leaflet 75.

Kochenderfer, J.D., and others. 2004. Preharvest manual herbicide treatments for controlling American beech in central West Virginia. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 21:40-49

Nelson, A.S., and R.G. Wagner. 2011. Improving the Composition of Beech-Dominated Northern Hardwood Understories in Northern Maine. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 28:186-193.

Wagner, S., et al. 2010. Beech regeneration research: From ecological to silvicultural aspects. Forest Ecol.Manage.

Procedure.

  1. Establish a plot center with a stake flag.
  2. 1/24th acreplot. 24 ft radius
  • Measure trees greater than 1 inch dbh: Identify species, measure dbh, classify crown position (dominant/codominant=D, intermediate=I, understory=U).
  • Examine the trees for beech bark disease (bbd): 0=0-5% of stem area has cankers; 1=5-50%; 2=51-100%
  • Sample only living trees
  • Measure live trees 6 inches high to 1” dbh (leave blank on data sheet), identify species, crown position is R=regeneration
  • For regeneration beech, check if root sprout or seedling
  1. Abbreviations: QA= quaking aspen, BT, bigtooth aspen, AB=American beech, WB=white birch, BF=balsam fir, HL=hemlock, IW=iron wood, RO=red oak, RM=red maple, SM=sugar maple, WA=white ash, WP=white pine
  2. Examine a location with resistant beech.
  • Note why the beech are considered resistant
  • Understand what is needed to favor resistant beech

  1. Enter data into spreadsheet.
  • Download Beech14.xls from the Lab page on the class web site.
  • Enter in data:
  • Pay attention to tabs – Trees or Regeneration
  • Enter species names where indicated – USE THE ASSIGNED ABBREVIATIONS.
    You will receive an error message if you do not use the abbreviations
  • Enter DBH, crown class (D, I, U), and BBD severity (0,1,2) on the trees tab.
  • Enter Species and place an “x” under “Sprout” or “Seedling”
  • Save file with a new name.
  • Email file to
  1. The spreadsheet will calculate the following:
  • There are 2 summary tables, one for trees (dbh>4.5 in) and saplings (dbh<4.5in)
  • In addition to summarizing the recorded data, Basal area/ac by species and for the plot
  • Basal area = (dbh (in)/24)2*3.1415
  • A third summary table shows results for regeneration
  • Number per species and the percent of the total regeneration for each species
  • Number and percent of regeneration that are sprouts and seedlings.
  1. A data summary will be emailed to you. USE THE SUMMARY TABLE FOR YOUR PAPER.

Assignment

  1. Write a report on how to manage the forest stand with a high density of diseased beech. Consider and discuss all options: i) Should the entire stand be harvested for biomass, sprouts killed with herbicides, and conifer regeneration favored? ii) Should beech be selectively killed to release other species? If so, how to apply the herbicides – hypo-hatchet, mist-blower, cut trees and stump treatments, cut trees and spray sprouts.
  2. USE THE DATA TO JUSTIFY YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS. Make bar graphs with error bars.
  3. Include a section in the report that discusses resistance to beech bark disease. Examine how resistance and susceptibility varies with size, how to recognize true resistance, and how to favor resistance in the future.
  4. Cite references as needed.

Crew: ___ Names: ______

Abbreviations: QA= quaking aspen, BT, bigtooth aspen, AB=American beech, WB=white birch, BF=balsam fir, HL=hemlock, IW=iron wood, RO=red oak, RM=red maple, SM=sugar maple, WA=white ash, WP=white pine

Crown Class: D (dominant), I (intermediate), U (understory) BBD rating: 0 (0-5%) ,1 (5-50%),2 (>50%)

Trees > 1 in dbh. 24ft radius plot

species / DBH / crown class / BBD rating

Seedlings 12 in tall to 1 in dbh

species / Sprout / Seedling