FTY 112 – Forests Through Time Discussion: Ecology of Tree Species
Species
Bigtooth aspen
Range in State
Entire state
Shade Tolerance
Intolerant
Soil
Well drained, deep
Jack pine
East and north
of Bar Harbor
Intolerant
Paper birch
Entire state
Intolerant
Quaking aspen
Entire state
Intolerant
Excessively well
drained sandy, acid,
tolerates shallow,
sandy/gravelly soils
Moderately drained,
tolerates poorly
drained, nutrient
poor sites
Well drained,
shallow to deep
Ash (white)
Entire state
Intermediate
Northern red oak
Intermediate
White pine
South of
Bangor
Entire state
Yellow birch
Entire state
Intermediate
Red maple
Entire state
Somewhat tolerant
Balsam fir
North and west
of Augusta
Tolerant
Red spruce
North and west
of Augusta
Tolerant
Northern White
Cedar
Entire state
Tolerant to very
tolerant
American beech
Entire state
Very tolerant
Sugar maple
Entire state
Very tolerant
Hemlock
Entire state
Most tolerant of all
tree species
Intermediate
Well drained, moist,
good nutrients, deep
Well drained,
tolerates acid soils
Well drained, sandy
soils, low nutrients
Moderately drained,
tolerates poorly
drained, nutrient
poor sites
Occupies most
varied sites of all
tree species
Thick organic layer,
poor nutrients,
tolerates shallow,
wet, acid soils
Thick organic layer,
poor nutrients,
tolerates shallow,
wet, acid soils
Cool, moist,
nutrient-rich sites,
on organic soils
Moderately drained,
tolerates dry,
shallow soil sites
Well drained, moist,
good nutrients
Well drained to
moist, acid to
neutral, organic
layer
Competition
Establish on bare soil with full
sun; lasts one generation; thin
crown
Establish on bare soil with full
sun; can require fire to open
cones
Establish on bare soil with full
sun; lasts one generation; thin
crown
Establish on bare soil with full
sun; lasts one generation; then
crown
Establish in shade, grows best in
sun; thin crown
Can establish in partial shade;
needs full sun to survive
Establish and grows in partial
shade, bare soil
Establish on bare soil in canopy
openings
Can establish in shade, ; prolific
sprouting
Establish and grow in shade
Establish and grow in shade;
grows best in sun
Establish in shade, especially on
rotten logs and stumps
Establishes and survives under
shade, grows into crown; prolific
sprouting
Establishes and survives under
shade, grows into crown
Establish and survive in shade,
up to 400yr, needs exposed soil
or rotten log
All of these hardwood species can sprout from cut stumps or damaged roots. Conifers can not.