A presentation by Marilyn Wyman of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties on the importance of woodland conservation in New York State.

1. Greene County Woodlands :Greene County Woodlands :
An Essential ResourceAn Essential Resource
October 29, 2015October 29, 2015
Marilyn WymanMarilyn Wyman
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene CountiesCornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties

2. Cornell Cooperative ExtensionCornell Cooperative Extension
of Columbia & Greene Countiesof Columbia & Greene Counties
Agroforestry Resource CenterAgroforestry Resource Center
Agroforestry Resource CenterAgroforestry Resource Center
Cornell Cooperative ExtensionCornell Cooperative Extension
6055 Route 236055 Route 23
Acra, NY 12405Acra, NY 12405
518-622-9820518-622-9820
www.ccecolumbiagreene.orgwww.ccecolumbiagreene.org
Cornell Cooperative Extension providesCornell Cooperative Extension provides
equal program and employmentequal program and employment
opportunity.opportunity.

4. PresentationPresentation ::
 Overview and History NYS forestsOverview and History NYS forests
 Values of our forestsValues of our forests
 Threats to our forestsThreats to our forests
 Greene County forestsGreene County forests
 SummarySummary

6. So Who Owns New York State Forests ?
New York Forest Area: 18.95 million acres, 63% of land area,
about one acre per resident
Publicly-owned Forest Land: at least 3.7
million acres or 20%
Privately-owned
Forest Land Area:
14.4 million acres;
76% of forest land;
owned by 687,000
land owners

7. Northern hardwood forest – 1700Northern hardwood forest – 1700:: New York wasNew York was
extensively forested, probably near 90%. The only areas ofextensively forested, probably near 90%. The only areas of
young timber were the result of storm damage, floods, oryoung timber were the result of storm damage, floods, or
fires. Most regeneration took place in the gaps created byfires. Most regeneration took place in the gaps created by
fallen canopy trees.fallen canopy trees.

8. Pioneer subsistence farming – 1740Pioneer subsistence farming – 1740:: Forests wereForests were
considered an impediment to civilization, which dependedconsidered an impediment to civilization, which depended
entirely on farming. Every community had a sawmill that usedentirely on farming. Every community had a sawmill that used
the pine & hemlock, as the hardwoods were too large & heavy tothe pine & hemlock, as the hardwoods were too large & heavy to
be of much utility. Most of the “inexhaustible” wood supply wasbe of much utility. Most of the “inexhaustible” wood supply was
burned.burned.

9. Height of intensive farming – 1830:Height of intensive farming – 1830: Estimates are thatEstimates are that
80% of New York and New England were being farmed.80% of New York and New England were being farmed.

10. Intensive farming abandoned – 1850:Intensive farming abandoned – 1850: The eroded andThe eroded and
worn-out soils caused many farmers to seek employment inworn-out soils caused many farmers to seek employment in
factories that were springing at the start of the industrialfactories that were springing at the start of the industrial
revolution. The abandoned fields were ideal nurseries for pine,revolution. The abandoned fields were ideal nurseries for pine,
maple, and ash.maple, and ash.

11. First crop of old-field white pine – 1910First crop of old-field white pine – 1910:: From 1895From 1895
to 1925 an estimated 15 billion board feet of pine wereto 1925 an estimated 15 billion board feet of pine were
harvested from the former farms.harvested from the former farms.

12. Volunteer Hardwood Regeneration – 1915:Volunteer Hardwood Regeneration – 1915: TheThe
clearcutting of the pines released the advancedclearcutting of the pines released the advanced
regeneration of maple & beech from the understory.regeneration of maple & beech from the understory.
Clearcuts of hardwoods for charcoal created favorableClearcuts of hardwoods for charcoal created favorable
conditions for cherry, oak, and ash.conditions for cherry, oak, and ash.

13. Hardwoods form second crop – 1930Hardwoods form second crop – 1930:: Thinning forThinning for
firewood and cordwood from these stands resulted infirewood and cordwood from these stands resulted in
the nicest stands we have today.the nicest stands we have today.

14. Prott’s Hill, Newfield (Tompkins Co.), NY 1870Prott’s Hill, Newfield (Tompkins Co.), NY 1870
and 1970and 1970:: Illustration of the dynamics and resiliency ofIllustration of the dynamics and resiliency of
our forests. Note that the house and covered bridge areour forests. Note that the house and covered bridge are
in both photos.in both photos.

15. Forests provide clean waterForests provide clean water
They are natural filters, preventThey are natural filters, prevent
erosion, fill reservoirs and create “newerosion, fill reservoirs and create “new
water”. Forests are buffers againstwater”. Forests are buffers against
flooding, especially along streams.flooding, especially along streams.
Ecological values of forestsEcological values of forests

16. Canopy leavesCanopy leaves
intercept rainintercept rain
Ground cover, debris slowGround cover, debris slow
overland flowoverland flow Thick, porous soils absorbThick, porous soils absorb
and filter water andand filter water and
recharge ground waterrecharge ground water
Forests Slow the Flow of WaterForests Slow the Flow of Water

17. Trees increase filtration & absorb waterTrees increase filtration & absorb water
 One treeOne tree can reducecan reduce
storm water runoff bystorm water runoff by
13,000 gallons per year13,000 gallons per year..
 Losing 10% of forestLosing 10% of forest
cover to imperviouscover to impervious
surface cansurface can doubledouble runoffrunoff
andand increase floodincrease flood
frequency as much asfrequency as much as
28%28% (Arnold and(Arnold and
Gibbons 1996, BradshawGibbons 1996, Bradshaw
et al. 2007).et al. 2007).
Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS

20. Forests stabilizeForests stabilize
streamstream
banksbanks
Lack of buffer,
devastation
Forested side
has far less
erosion and
damage

21. Forests clean the airForests clean the air..
TheyThey filter air pollutantsfilter air pollutants
and sequester carbonand sequester carbon ..

22. Forests supportForests support
numerous plantsnumerous plants
and animal speciesand animal species ..

23. Forests support healthy,Forests support healthy,
sustainable ruralsustainable rural
economies –value addedeconomies –value added
forest products, tourism,forest products, tourism,
hunting, fishing andhunting, fishing and
recreation.recreation.
Economic values of forestsEconomic values of forests
Wood furniture sequesters carbonWood furniture sequesters carbon.

24. Forests provideForests provide
Renewable EnergyRenewable Energy
Integrate productionIntegrate production
of energy fromof energy from
forest biomass intoforest biomass into
biorefineries, co-biorefineries, co-
generation facilitiesgeneration facilities
or other energyor other energy
streamsstreams

25. Biomass Energy for Public BuildinBiomass Energy for Public Buildingsgs
 Existing wood heatExisting wood heat
technology allows cost-technology allows cost-
effective replacement ofeffective replacement of
fossil fuels while beingfossil fuels while being
clean and efficientclean and efficient
 Allows cost savings whileAllows cost savings while
supporting localsupporting local
businesses and forestsbusinesses and forests
 Bulk delivery optionsBulk delivery options
availableavailable
 > 1/3 of Vermont schools> 1/3 of Vermont schools
are heated with woodare heated with wood

26. Town offices, highway garages, schools, and otherTown offices, highway garages, schools, and other
commercial/ institutional buildings are good candidatescommercial/ institutional buildings are good candidates
for wood heatfor wood heat

27. There is a need for utilizingThere is a need for utilizing
low grade wood.low grade wood.
More later.More later.

28. Logging and forest managementLogging and forest management industries in NYSindustries in NYS
Employs nearly 6,000 New YorkersEmploys nearly 6,000 New Yorkers. .
Sale of standing timber to the forest products industrySale of standing timber to the forest products industry
provides more thanprovides more than $250 million annually forest land$250 million annually forest land
owners.owners.
TheThe forest productsforest products manufacturing sector employsmanufacturing sector employs
approximatelyapproximately 50,000 people50,000 people..
TheThe annual payroll from these jobs is more than $1.5annual payroll from these jobs is more than $1.5
billionbillion and theand the value of shipments from the woodvalue of shipments from the wood
products industry in New York is $6 billionproducts industry in New York is $6 billion..
NYS Forests: Income and JobsNYS Forests: Income and Jobs..

29. Other income opportunities from forests.Other income opportunities from forests.

30. Forests provideForests provide
mental andmental and
physical healthphysical health
benefits.benefits.
Green Medicine: Prescribing a dose of outdoors
to prevent or treat a range of health illnesses
from heart disorders to attention deficit disorder.
Prescription includes the location of a green
space, a trail and exact mileage.
Journal of Environmental Science and TechnologyJournal of Environmental Science and Technology

31. More information the on DEC websiteMore information the on DEC website

Health Benefits From ForestsHealth Benefits From Forests
 Boosts immune systemBoosts immune system
 Lowers blood pressureLowers blood pressure
 Reduces stressReduces stress
 Improves moodImproves mood
 Increases ability to focus, even in children withIncreases ability to focus, even in children with
ADHDADHD
 Accelerates recovery from surgery or illnessAccelerates recovery from surgery or illness
 Increases energy levelIncreases energy level
 Improves sleepImproves sleep Photo: Jennifer Miller
Research is showing that visiting a forest has real, quantifiable health benefits, bothResearch is showing that visiting a forest has real, quantifiable health benefits, both
mental and physical. Even five minutes around trees or in green spaces may improvemental and physical. Even five minutes around trees or in green spaces may improve
health. Think of it as a prescription with no negative side effects that's also free.health. Think of it as a prescription with no negative side effects that's also free.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90720.htmlhttp://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90720.html

32. Parcelization fromParcelization from
development pressuresdevelopment pressures
fragment NYS forestsfragment NYS forests..
Parcel size of forests have been shrinking. The averageParcel size of forests have been shrinking. The average
was 40-50 acres in the 1950’s and are now under 15was 40-50 acres in the 1950’s and are now under 15..
ThreatsThreats to foreststo forests

33. One of the most common reasons landowners inOne of the most common reasons landowners in
NYS subdivide: fNYS subdivide: financial pressureinancial pressure (medical costs(medical costs
and unexpected financial pressures top 2 reasons).and unexpected financial pressures top 2 reasons).
Why?Why?
 Property taxesProperty taxes
 Poor return on forest investmentPoor return on forest investment
 In the Catskills, households with incomesIn the Catskills, households with incomes
below $50,000/year were far more likely tobelow $50,000/year were far more likely to
subdivide and sell (Stone & Tyrrell 20120subdivide and sell (Stone & Tyrrell 20120
..

34. Result: Subdivision = Impervious Surface AreaResult: Subdivision = Impervious Surface Area
 In the Catskill/Delaware
Watersheds, each new
subdivided parcel adds an
average 3,200 sq. ft. of
impervious surface area
within 20 years (Anderson
et al. 2012) 1 parcel
195 acres
ISA: 5,000 ft2
39 parcels
195 acres
ISA: 125,000 ft2
Losing 10% of forest cover to impervious surface can
double runoff and increase flood frequency as much
as 28%.
In this situation, subdivision resulted in a 25-fold
increase in impervious surface area.

35. Subdivision also leads to forestSubdivision also leads to forest
fragmentationfragmentation
Forest fragmentation prevents viable economic opportunities,Forest fragmentation prevents viable economic opportunities, decreases
forest habitat quality and health, disrupts wildlife movement, and facilitates
the spread of invasive species. These impacts are greatest at forest edges but
can extend for hundreds of feet into forest patches, often displacing
sensitive species that depend on interior forest.

36. Planning for forests, byPlanning for forests, by
necessity, are long-term. Thenecessity, are long-term. The
plan guides activities forplan guides activities for
decades, providing continuitydecades, providing continuity
through successive generationsthrough successive generations
of owners. The first step is toof owners. The first step is to
determine priorities, set goalsdetermine priorities, set goals
& identify the activities to reach& identify the activities to reach
those goals.those goals.
How to avoid fragmentation?How to avoid fragmentation?
One way is forest planningOne way is forest planning..

37. Literature shows thatLiterature shows that
about 10% of privateabout 10% of private
forest landownersforest landowners
actively manage theiractively manage their
forests (5% withforests (5% with
management plans) andmanagement plans) and
there is no focus onthere is no focus on
regeneration.regeneration.

38. And harvesting withoutAnd harvesting without
professional advice mayprofessional advice may
result in a diminishedresult in a diminished
forestforest..

39. High grading or exploitation harvestHigh grading or exploitation harvest
“Take the best and leave the rest“Take the best and leave the rest””
Most of NYS forests have been repeatedly high graded,Most of NYS forests have been repeatedly high graded,
resulting in an abundance of low value woodresulting in an abundance of low value wood !

40. Forest management practicesForest management practices
can support wildlife habitatcan support wildlife habitat
Species richness for the assemblage of bird species known to prefer mature forestsSpecies richness for the assemblage of bird species known to prefer mature forests
(left) and early successional forests (right) in New York (source: New York Audubon)(left) and early successional forests (right) in New York (source: New York Audubon)
Most of New York’s bird species of “greatest conservation
need” require early successional habitat (open land, shrubland,
seedling/sapling forests)!

41. Help for Forest landownersHelp for Forest landowners
 Only incentive in NYS is 480-a Forest TaxOnly incentive in NYS is 480-a Forest Tax
Law.Law.
 Department of EnvironmentalDepartment of Environmental
Conservation provides Stewardship PlanConservation provides Stewardship Plan
assistance.assistance.
 Master Forest Owners Woods Walk.Master Forest Owners Woods Walk.

42. The wild card,The wild card,
Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species
The New York Invasive SpeciesThe New York Invasive Species
Clearinghouse and Cornell CooperativeClearinghouse and Cornell Cooperative
Extension Invasive Species programExtension Invasive Species program
NYIS.infoNYIS.info

43. New York State – A Hot SpotNew York State – A Hot Spot

44. Emerald Ash Borer, EABEmerald Ash Borer, EAB
Agrilus plannipennisAgrilus plannipennis
Small (3/8-3/4’ long) metallicSmall (3/8-3/4’ long) metallic
wood-boring beetle found onlywood-boring beetle found only
on ash trees. Introduced fromon ash trees. Introduced from
China through packingChina through packing
material.material.

48. And the best indicator…..And the best indicator…..
Woodpecker foraging !

49. Liability issuesLiability issues
Dead ash trees are a publicDead ash trees are a public
safety issue. Dead ash treessafety issue. Dead ash trees
lose their limbs easily whichlose their limbs easily which
can cause damage to peoplecan cause damage to people
and property. $5 billionand property. $5 billion
spent annually on insectspent annually on insect
pests in the US with higherpests in the US with higher
impacts on suburban andimpacts on suburban and
urban homeowners andurban homeowners and
municipalities.municipalities.

50. Hemlock Wooly AdelgidHemlock Wooly Adelgid
HWA was first detected in New YorkHWA was first detected in New York
State in the early 1980s. OutbreaksState in the early 1980s. Outbreaks
have expanded from initial infestationshave expanded from initial infestations
on Long Island and the Hudson Valleyon Long Island and the Hudson Valley
to the Catskills and Finger Lakesto the Catskills and Finger Lakes
region.region.

51. HWA ManagementHWA Management
Currently, the twoCurrently, the two
approaches for managingapproaches for managing
HWA infestations areHWA infestations are
chemical insecticides and thechemical insecticides and the
use of natural enemyuse of natural enemy
predator species aspredator species as
biological control.biological control.
Laricobius nigrinsLaricobius nigrins
William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org

52. HWA may impact riparianHWA may impact riparian
stream buffersstream buffers

53. Asian Long Horned BeetleAsian Long Horned Beetle
Anoplophora glabripennisAnoplophora glabripennis
Original infestationsOriginal infestations
 NYC (1996)NYC (1996)
 Solid wood packing materialSolid wood packing material
Initial spread from point sourcesInitial spread from point sources
seems to be relatively slow.seems to be relatively slow.
Multiple species of trees areMultiple species of trees are
Attacked;Attacked; maple, beech, birch,maple, beech, birch,
aspen, elm, ash, & cottonwoodaspen, elm, ash, & cottonwood

54. New finding on Long islandNew finding on Long island

55. Japanese Stilt GrassJapanese Stilt Grass
Microstegium vimineumMicrostegium vimineum
 Adapted to low light conditions.Adapted to low light conditions.
 Threatens native plants and naturalThreatens native plants and natural
habitats in open to shady, and moist to dryhabitats in open to shady, and moist to dry
locations.locations.
 Forms extensive patches, displacing nativeForms extensive patches, displacing native
species that are not able to compete with it.species that are not able to compete with it.
 Where white-tail deer are over-abundant,Where white-tail deer are over-abundant,
they may facilitate its invasion by feedingthey may facilitate its invasion by feeding
on native plant species and avoiding stilton native plant species and avoiding stilt
grass.grass.
 May impact other plants by changing soilMay impact other plants by changing soil
chemistry & shading other plants.chemistry & shading other plants.

56. Japanese BarberryJapanese Barberry Berberis thunbergiiBerberis thunbergii
 Forms dense stands in canopy forests, openForms dense stands in canopy forests, open
woodlands, wetlands, pastures, and meadows andwoodlands, wetlands, pastures, and meadows and
alters soil pH, nitrogen levels, and biological activityalters soil pH, nitrogen levels, and biological activity
in the soil.in the soil.
 Displaces native plants and reduces wildlife habitatDisplaces native plants and reduces wildlife habitat
and forage. Introduced to the United States in 1875and forage. Introduced to the United States in 1875
butbut it wasn’t considered a problem until the 1980s .it wasn’t considered a problem until the 1980s .
 White-tailed deer avoid browsing barberry, givingWhite-tailed deer avoid browsing barberry, giving
barberry a competitive advantage. Also earth wormsbarberry a competitive advantage. Also earth worms
increase.increase.
 Lyme DiseaseLyme Disease. Barberry creates a perfect, humid. Barberry creates a perfect, humid
environment for ticks. Williams ”When we measureenvironment for ticks. Williams ”When we measure
the presence of ticks carrying the Lyme spirochetethe presence of ticks carrying the Lyme spirochete
(Borrelia burgdorferi) we find 120 infected ticks(Borrelia burgdorferi) we find 120 infected ticks
where Barberry is not contained, 40 ticks per acrewhere Barberry is not contained, 40 ticks per acre
where Barberry is contained, and only 10 infectedwhere Barberry is contained, and only 10 infected
ticks where there is no Barberryticks where there is no Barberry

57. Lack of new trees toLack of new trees to
replace old onesreplace old ones
A primary factor limiting forestA primary factor limiting forest
regeneration isregeneration is deer browsedeer browse;;
however, invasive plants, poorhowever, invasive plants, poor
timber management, changingtimber management, changing
weather patterns, air pollution,weather patterns, air pollution,
and pests and diseases all have theand pests and diseases all have the
potential to severely limit thepotential to severely limit the
capacity of New York's trees andcapacity of New York's trees and
forests to regenerate.forests to regenerate.

58. Don’t Move Firewood !Don’t Move Firewood !
Current regulations prohibit the import of firewood into NewCurrent regulations prohibit the import of firewood into New
York unless it has been heat treated to kill pests. TheYork unless it has been heat treated to kill pests. The
regulation also limits the transportation of untreatedregulation also limits the transportation of untreated
firewood to less than 50 miles from its source within NYS.firewood to less than 50 miles from its source within NYS.
By transporting firewood, you could be spreading diseasesBy transporting firewood, you could be spreading diseases
and invasive insects that can quickly kill large numbers ofand invasive insects that can quickly kill large numbers of
trees. Help STOP THE SPREAD and obey the Firewoodtrees. Help STOP THE SPREAD and obey the Firewood
Regulation.Regulation.

59. Declining forest health fromDeclining forest health from
climate changeclimate change

61. Seriously – Potential for shift in tree speciesSeriously – Potential for shift in tree species
Impacts of climate change will exacerbate pest andImpacts of climate change will exacerbate pest and
pathogen problemspathogen problems
Tree species range maps will likely changeTree species range maps will likely change
Possible regional species impacted:Possible regional species impacted:
 Sugar mapleSugar maple
 Yellow birchYellow birch
 Paper birchPaper birch
 Red spruceRed spruce
 Quaking and Bigtooth aspenQuaking and Bigtooth aspen
 Northern white cedarNorthern white cedar
Replaced largely by oak-hickoryReplaced largely by oak-hickory

62.  Research led by ESF scientists involved
analysis of growth rings from hundreds of
trees across the Adirondack Mountains in
northern New York state. It showed that a
decline in the growth rate began for a
majority of sugar maple trees after 1970.
The reasons for the decline are unclear.

(Published Oct. 21, 2015) in the open-access journal "Ecosphere(Published Oct. 21, 2015) in the open-access journal "Ecosphere."."

63. Projected shifts of tree species by the
end of the centruy.
Source: USGCRP (2009)

70. Matrix ForestsMatrix Forests
Matrix forests represent the largest, most intact forests, whose size and
natural condition allow for the maintenance of ecological processes,
natural forest communities, and populations of forest-interior species
(Anderson and Bernstein, 2003). These characteristics will likely
contribute to resiliency in a changing climate. The goal of the matrix
forest analysis was to identify viable examples of forest types that, if
protected and allowed to regain their natural condition, will serve as
critical source areas for species associated with the forest types or for
species generally requiring forest-interior conditions. Conserving large,
high quality natural areas such as these and natural connections
between them will also allow plants and animals to move northward
and higher in elevation as temperatures increase with climate change.

71. What can your community do?What can your community do?
• Participate in workshops and
programs to gain knowledge about
forests.
• Educate residents about the value
and threats of forests by hosting or
promoting related educational events
and resources.
• Pursue stewardship projects to
maintain and improve forests. (i.e.
management and monitoring invasive
species)
Photos by M. Wyman

72. • Designate Critical Environmental
Areas to enhance recognition and
conservation of the community’s
valuable forest tracts.
• Ensure that larger contiguous forest
cover patches are considered early
during the planning review process
and conserved to the greatest
extent possible.
Photo by Gary Goff
What can your community do?What can your community do?

73. • Map forests as part of a
municipal natural resource
inventory.
• Identify and prioritize matrix
forests and forest corridors
as part of a municipal open
space inventory.
Photo by M. Wyman
What can your community do?What can your community do?

74. • Include forest protection in
subdivision regulations.
• Develop conservation overlay
zones with added protection.
• Recommend and provide voluntary
forest stewardship information to
land use applicants.
• Partner with local land trusts
to conserve priority forests.
Photo by M Wyman
What can your community do?What can your community do?

75. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Lands &NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Lands &
Waters. http://www.dec.ny.gov/61.htmlWaters. http://www.dec.ny.gov/61.html
A Municipal Officials Guide to Forestry in New York StateA Municipal Officials Guide to Forestry in New York State
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/guidetoforehttp://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/guidetofore
stry.pdfstry.pdf
Invasive Species in New York State NYIS.infoInvasive Species in New York State NYIS.info
Agroforestry Resource Center and the Siuslaw Model ForestAgroforestry Resource Center and the Siuslaw Model Forest
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and GreeneCornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene
Counties http://agroforestrycenter.org/Counties http://agroforestrycenter.org/
Resources to help:Resources to help:

76. Beware the “Green Lie”Beware the “Green Lie”
Questions?Questions?
mfw10@cornell.edumfw10@cornell.edu