Focus Species Forestry - Maine Audubon

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Aspen-Birch ____________________________________________ Identification Aspen-Birch forests are post-disturbance communities typically characterized by paper birch, bigtooth aspen, and trembling aspen. Depending on the region of the state and soils, associated species may include red maple, red oak, red spruce, yellow birch, sugar maple, and white pine. Ecology This relatively short-lived (less than 100 years) early successional forest type is dominated by shade-intolerant species that typically become established after severe disturbances such as fire or clearcutting and other forms of heavy harvests. Aspen-birch typically occurs in large patches up to several hundred acres that reflect past disturbance. On better soils this type is likely to be replaced over time by northern hardwoods. On cool and/or moist sites at high elevations or in lowlands, succession will tend towards spruce-fir. Wildlife Due to structural similarity and landscape proximity, aspen-birch forests support many of the same species as northern hardwoods in similar development stages. Depending on the time of year, ruffed grouse will use seedling, sapling, or mature stands, and aspen is the beaver’s preferred food. Young aspen-birch forests are also used by woodcock for feeding and brood cover. Both aspen and birch are prone to internal decay and hence make excellent but short-lived cavity trees. Rare Species None Rare Natural Communities None Early Successional Forest Snowshoe hare 1 Ruffed grouse Chestnut-sided warbler 1 Conifer understory present Focus Species Mature Forest Northern goshawk Ruffed grouse 18 Focus Species Forestry
Aspen-Birch ____________________________________________ Overview Single-tree and Group Selection Shelterwood, Small Patch Cuts, and Clearcuts Other Focus Species Management Even-aged management is generally recommended to maintain aspen-birch forests. Alternately, landowner objectives or landscape analysis may suggest that encouraging natural succession to take place is the preferred option. When present, aspen-birch is an excellent type for developing and maintaining early successional habitat. Aspen regenerates by root suckering, while wind-blown seed is the primary method of birch regeneration. An irregular harvest that leaves unharvested patches and individual trees of long-lived species will emulate natural disturbances better than traditional even-aged management. Avoid single-tree selection if the goal is to maintain aspen-birch. Large-group selection will sustain these species, but there will be an increasing component of more shade-tolerant species over time. Small patch cuts (2-5 acres), seed-tree cuts, or clearcuts are the best for regenerating aspen-birch and providing the dense regeneration preferred by ruffed grouse and woodcock. Shelterwood may result in excessive birch mortality and discourage root suckering of aspen. Refer to landscape-scale guidelines (Section 8). Use the amount of aspen-birch in the landscape and the amount of other early successional hardwoods to help decide whether to maintain aspen-birch or encourage succession to another type. Soil scarification is important for birch regeneration. Older declining aspen clones may not sprout well. Follow recommendations for snags, cavity trees, and downed woody material and other stand-level recommendations (Section 7). If the goal is to encourage succession, on better sites northern hardwoods can be favored by thinning and eventually released by removing part or all of the overstory. On poorer sites spruce and fir, which often become established in the understory, may be released as the aspen and birch mature. Try to maintain aspen inclusions in other forest types near riparian areas where beaver may be present. References: DeGraaf et al. 1992, Degraaf and Yamasaki 2001, Elliott 1999, Eyre 1980, Marquis et al. 1969, Perala D. 1977 Focus Species Forestry 19
Page 1 and 2: Focus Species Forestry A Guide to I
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Page 5 and 6: Acknowledgements The Focus Species
Page 7 and 8: 1. Introduction It’s a crisp wint
Page 9 and 10: 2. Characteristics of Focus Species
Page 11 and 12: Focus Species and Human Values Whil
Page 13 and 14: 3. Step by Step Guide to Focus Spec
Page 15 and 16: For riparian and wetland areas and
Page 17 and 18: Habitat Monitoring Habitat is the m
Page 19 and 20: Table 1. Forest Ecosystem Types and
Page 21 and 22: Table 2. Stand Development Stages S
Page 23: 5. Habitat Management Guides The fo
Page 27 and 28: Northern Hardwoods ________________
Page 29 and 30: Oak-Pine __________________________
Page 31 and 32: Eastern Hemlock ___________________
Page 33 and 34: Spruce-Fir ________________________
Page 35 and 36: Northern White Cedar ______________
Page 37 and 38: Riparian and Wetland Forest _______
Page 39 and 40: Vernal Pools ______________________
Page 41 and 42: 6. Focus Species Profiles and Manag
Page 43 and 44: Snowshoe Hare Distribution: Alaska
Page 45 and 46: American Marten Distribution: Alask
Page 47 and 48: White-tailed Deer Distribution: Sou
Page 49 and 50: Ruffed Grouse Distribution: Year-ro
Page 51 and 52: Black-backed Woodpecker Distributio
Page 53 and 54: Wood Thrush Distribution: Breeding-
Page 55 and 56: Magnolia Warbler Distribution: Brit
Page 57 and 58: Pine Warbler Distribution: Southern
Page 59 and 60: Eastern Towhee Distribution: Breedi
Page 61 and 62: Northern Dusky Salamander Distribut
Page 64 and 65: Wood Turtle Distribution: Nova Scot
Page 66 and 67: Late-Successional Forest Species Co
Page 68 and 69: Table 3. Focus Species Summary Tabl
Page 70 and 71: Maine Forest Service Goals for Snag
Page 72 and 73: prefer areas of low habitat intersp
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Large Ownerships: On a typical town
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9. Literature Cited Allen, T.G., an
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Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP).
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Appendix 1. Recommended Resources .
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Appendix 2. List of Focus Species H
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older forest in islands and peninsu
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Appendix 5. Focus Species Data Form
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Focus Species Habitat Worksheet Pro
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Appendix 6. Example Stand Maps and
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Focus Species Habitat Worksheet Pro
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Appendix 7. Focus Species Associate
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Appendix 9. Primary Focus Species f
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Appendix 10. Examples of Stand Clas
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Focus Species Forestry - Maine Audubon

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