-Jason Darling-
 Planning for the future of your sugar bush.
 Forest Health.
 Pests and Diseases.
 Competition.
 Deer.
 Herbaceous Vegetation.
 Woodlot management.
 Thinning Practices.
 Increased Yields.
 Questions that drive your management tactics…
 How long has your woodlot been managed in the past?
 Will your tradition be carried on to the next generation?
 Do you want to manage for timber production?
 What kind of road system do you have?
 Vigorous growing & disease free trees.
 Stable soil conditions.
 Buffer watersheds and riparian zones.
 Resistance to wind damage.
 DIVERSITY
 Resistance to various pests and diseases.
 Attractive to various wildlife species.
 Some dead standing trees and woody debris on the
ground.
 Maintain a component of as many tree species as your
site will support.
 Verticillium Wilt – Also called maple wilt, this fungus is a common and
serious problem that can kill trees. This infection starts in the root system and
works its way up the maple tree, resulting in cankers and dieback. Signs of
maple wilt include scorched-looking leaves and diseased branches with
unhealthy leaves. Occasionally olive-colored streaks can be found in the
sapwood.
 Cause – Fungus found in soil. Tree becomes stressed and may be infected.
 Treatment – Hard to treat. Remove infected portions of the tree. Some
chemical application. Not typically life threatening. Remove trees if thinning
woodlot
 Anthracnose – This disease results in extensive defoliation, shoot
dieback, and twig death. Often confused with frost damage, signs of
anthracnose include brown areas on leaves, canker on the trunk and
main branches, and purplish-brown areas along the veins of the leaves.
 Cause – Extended periods of cool and wet conditions as leaves are
emerging in the spring
 Treatment – Some chemical application. Not typically life threatening.
Remove trees if thinning woodlot.
 Tar Spot – This disease affects
several maple species and causes
large, tar-like spots on the leaves.
 Asian Longhorned Beetle – This
insect damages the sapwood
beneath the bark layer, preventing
the tree from properly transporting
nutrients and water. Once a tree has
an Asian longhorned beetle
infestation, it will generally die
within 1 to 2 years.
http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plan
t_pathology_and_ecology/common_diseases_of_maples.pdf
 Deer
 Deer browsing can significantly reduce the stocking
levels and survival of your regenerating Maple stand.
 Control Methods
 Reduce deer population.
 Fencing. $$$$$
 Large canopy openings for
vigorous growth.
 Herbaceous Vegetation
 Dominate a site that has been thinned too aggressively.
 Grass – Raspberry/Blackberry – Garlic Mustard.
 Inhibits adequate regeneration.
 Control Methods:
 Keep tree stocking levels high
to shade out the competition.
 Herbicide applications.
Garlic Mustard
 Why manage your woodlot?
 Healthy Trees = Productive Trees.
 Increase Canopy Size = Higher Yields of Sap.
 Remove diseased and poorly formed trees.
 Encourage regeneration for future sap production.
 Single Tree Selection
 Removes scattered large diameter,
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large canopy & over-mature trees.
Declining in health, vigor and
productivity.
Trees do not heal tap wounds
quickly.
Most are hollow. (loss of vacuum)
Release growing space for future
generations of maple trees.
 Crop Tree Management & Understory Thinning
 What is a Crop Tree?
 A crop tree is a well formed, disease free and vigorous growing
tree. This tree will be the future of your woodlot.
 Crop Tree Management & Understory Thinning
 Understory thinning removes:
 Diseased trees.
 Reduces stocking levels to
encourage growth on
 Poorly formed trees.
residual timber.
 Canopy competition.
 Undesirable tree species.
 Water & sunlight
competition.
 Cautions:
 Do not thin the woodlot too aggressively.
 Sun scorch – Wind damage – Poor Form – Grass Competition
 Maintain stable soil conditions.
 Winter logging is best to reduce rutting and soil damage.
 Thinning to release a crop tree may take multiple
treatments.
Get in the field and manage your woodlot
to its fullest potential!!
Questions & Comments?
Jason Darling 517-243-2000
Jason@DarlingForestry.com
www.DarlingForestry.com