GREATER FUNDY ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH PROJECT

UNB Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management

Forest Management Guidelines to Protect
Native Biodiversity in the Fundy Model Forest

Site Level Considerations

Special Status Tree Species

A number of tree species in the GFE and FMF area have been significantly reduced in abundance and distribution. Their loss represents a decrease in the integrity of the ecosystem and causes a trickle-down effect on species that utilise these tree species. Research on the abundance of tree species during colonial times (150-200 years ago) has identified that the following tree species were much more common than today:

Eastern White Cedar
Black Ash
Eastern Hemlock
Red Oak
Ironwood
Black Cherry
Butternut
Bur Oak
Basswood
American Elm

Selective logging pressure or habitat change due to human activity has reduced all of these species except for American Elm which has been reduced by disease. We recommend attempts be made to identify and retain these species through selective treatment for regeneration in the cases of Hemlock and Cedar, and/or limited or no cutting of the other rare species. Species such as Bur Oak, Red Oak, Ironwood, Butternut, Black Cherry, Basswood and Black Ash are intolerant or tolerant hardwood associated species that are not given enough recognition as components of the forest, or as potentially valuable wood products. Considering their low present abundance and their limited recognition in forest planning, there is concern that their retention within the FMF is threatened by pulp-based forestry and the increased harvest of hardwood stands.

Concerns about Red Spruce retention are discussed under the harvest prescriptions for each ecodistrict. Red Spruce areas should not be clearcut in the Fundy Coastal Ecodistrict but should be selection harvested. Only 2- or 3-pass shelterwood methods should be applied in the other ecodistricts. Red Spruce dominated stands should not be cut until advanced regeneration has occurred in the understory. Blowdown of remnant trees should not be a major issue because these species exist in forests where selection harvesting techniques should apply.

American Beech in the FMF has been affected by a canker disease that limits its growth and fruit production. A tendency to remove this species from the forest may develop as tolerant hardwood markets are opened. The Beech is an important natural component in terms of biomass and wildlife and should not be lost from the FMF. The retention of American Beech in hardwood stands will require the identification and retention of non-diseased individuals. These individuals exist in most stands, recognisable by their larger size and smooth bark. Surrounding diseased trees should be removed to allow for the growth of disease-resistant trees and eventual restocking of healthy Beech trees in the FMF

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Information provided by:
Dr. Graham Forbes
Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management at UNB
Last Update: Dec 17, 1997
This document: http://www.unb.ca/web/forestry/centers/cwru/special.htm