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Article: WOODLOT SPECIES AND REFORESTATION: IMORTANT TO GET IT RIGHT
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WOODLOT SPECIES AND REFORESTATION: IMORTANT TO GET IT RIGHT - Jon Radojkovic
Photo: (JR) Hardwoods grow up naturally through a reforested white pine plantation
If you noticed last year that forests in Grey Bruce were more yellow it was because the maples were loaded with seed pollen for the first time in five years and that this spring, there will be a proliferation of maple seedlings. Since so many farmers depend on their woodlots for an income, it's important to know what species grows best here and what types are best for replanting.
Genetic diversity within a species means that no matter the stress, unless it is catastrophic, some individuals will be adapted to withstand it, will survive, and therefore the species will survive, says Barb Boysen, the Forest Gene Conservation coordinator, at a recent meeting in Elmwood.
Since most of the woodlots in Southern Ontario are owned privately, unlike Northern Ontario, where most is crown land, it's the individual who holds the future to some of the best forests and lands in Southern Ontario.
The trees and shrubs that hold the best chance of survival are those that are native to the area. "Native" means the type of tree species that was here prior to European settlement and is adapted to local conditions. Even more specifically, some may be more adapted to river valleys or cooler uplands.
Why this may be important is that the chance for survival of tree species should be part of a decision by farmers and woodlot owners on what type of tree they may plant or harvest. Native trees have evolved with local insects and diseases and pest problems are minimal. They maintain good environmental functions such as soil and water retention and wildlife habitat for food and shelter.
Get to know your site for replanting or existing forests such as what type of soils and how deep is it. What is the moisture level, is the water seasonal and is the site shaded, partially shaded or full sun. What kinds of trees exist there now?
Native white pine may exist around your piece of land but it's usually an upland type of tree and doesn't grow well in low wet soils. The dominant species in Grey Bruce is usually sugar maple but is that because past harvests have removed other dominant species that may be more suitable to your land, such as white pine or even oak. What kind of trees are in your area that are non-native to our region, such as Black walnut. These may have been planted when it was worth a lot of money, but they may not be growing well because of infertile soils or poor initial seed stock and or has simply not adapted to our local weather conditions.
A new provincial Land Classification map divided into EcoDistricts, has been prepared recently. Grey and Bruce have three main districts, the first -- 6E-2, is a narrow strip following Lake Huron up to the base of the Brue peninsula. The second zone, 6E-4 follows Georgian Bay including Collingwood to Owen Sound. The largest and coolest district of the three is 6E-4, which is the rest of Grey and Bruce and Northern Wellington County.
Here are the predominant native trees that grow well in the latter zone. Eastern and White Red Cedar, Red and Eastern White Pine, , Red, Silver and Sugar Maple, White and Yellow Birch, Dotted Hawthorn, American Beech, Black, Green and White Ash, Ironwood, Balsam Poplar, Largetooth and Trembling Aspen, Black Cherry, Bur, Red and White Oak, Basswood, and White Elm. Of course, in southern protected exposures, or upland drier zones other species may also do well, as each kind of distinct region may have exceptions.
The variety of trees for this area is amazing and is why Grey Bruce is renowned for its excellent lumber and veneer, especially in the hardwood species.
Much of our region's soils and forests have been greatly disturbed due to over harvesting, soil compaction, to invasive species such as the Scots Pine, or weather or urban conditions. To reforest an area, special considerations should be made as to specific site conditions before planting. Usually, evergreens, such as white pine can be planted, to cool the soils through shading and increasing top soil organic matter, which will also retain moisture.
Hardwoods are not usually planted out in open fields like white Pine or eastern White cedar, because it can't survive the harsh sunlight and drier, less organic matter soils. What will bring out the native hardwoods is a natural progression. A planted field of evergreens does provide shade for the shade tolerant hardwoods, and they will begin to grow under the reforested evergreens. By the time the conifers are ready to thin out, maples, white ash, poplars and others will have already established themselves naturally, and be ready to grow to a mature hardwood.
So, even if we can try to circumvent mother nature, in the end, if landowners can just set the right conditions, native species, indigenous to the area, can take over and do the rest, naturally.
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