Management for Ash Conservation, Climate Change Adaptation, and Forest Bird Habitat

  • placeholder photo from VLT website

    Photo courtesy of Vermont Land Trust

  • placeholder photo from VLT website

    Photo courtesy of Vermont Land Trust

  • placeholder photo from VLT website

    Photo courtesy of Vermont Land Trust

    Project Overview

    Project Type

    Stewardship project

    Forest Type

    • Northern hardwoods

    Primary Forest Health Threat

    • Lack of diversity (tree species, sizes, spatial arrangement)
    • Invasive insects or tree diseases are on or near the property

    Management Type

    • Forest adaptation

    Silvicultural Treatment Type

    • Single Tree Selection
    • Group Selection

    Project Highlights

    Relatively small parcel size, demonstrates the average parcel size (conservation, revenue), how to invest in the future of ash despite Emerald Ash Borer, demonstrates how to set forest up to weather climate change well, how to enhance habitat for songbirds of concern.

    Lessons Learned

    Mark large diameter drop and leave trees, instead of leaving it to the logger.

    Funding

    None

    Organizations / Partners Involved

    • Audubon Vermont
    • Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science
    • Kyle Pratt Logging

    Town/Community Forest Information

    Town / Community Forest

    Jerusalem Skyline Forest

    Management Plan

    Yes

    Allowed Uses

    Non-motorized | Recreation

    County

    Addison

    Legal Status of Property

    Land trust owned

    Location

    Russell Young Rd, Starksboro, VT 05487

    Directions and Accessibility

    At the end of Russell Young Rd. It's not posted, please email Caitlin for information on parking and directions (caitlin@vlt.org).

    Project Site Information

    Forest Area

    57 acres

    Forest Description

    Northern Hardwood Forest with inclusion of rich Northern Hardwood Forest. Mid to late successional forest growth stage. Berkshire, Marlow, and Peru soils.

    Treatment Information

    Management Goals

    • Increase species diversity
    • Increase old forest characteristics and habitat
    • Reduce risk of invasive insects
    • Grow forest products
    • Increase down wood
    • Increase standing dead wood

    Operational Considerations for Management Activities

    Winter harvest only, steep ground, no legal landing and legal access didn't mirror practical access.

    Contact Information

    Primary Contact Name

    Caitlin Cusack

    Contact Title

    Forester

    Contact Organization

    Vermont Land Trust

    Contact Email

    caitlin@vlt.org

    Contact Phone

    802-989-9616