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FOREST MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR MICHIGAN
By the Michigan Society of American Foresters

 

FOREST HEALTH

A healthy tree is vigorous and disease free. Does this mean that a healthy forest includes only healthy trees? The answer is, "probably not".  A healthy forest supports many different life forms, some of which require components of dead, dying and decaying trees.

How one defines forest health closely reflects the values and beliefs of the observer. To one person, a vigorously growing forest producing a renewable timber resource is ideal. To another, the presence of specific habitats for wildlife species is paramount. Yet another person would say that "letting nature take its course" is the ultimate in forest health. Which perspective is most valid? The answer is, "all in their place and time".

A forest resource manager, especially on public lands, must balance resource demands based on a wide array of perceived forest resource values. This requires an understanding and appreciation of all values, an ability to compromise, a comprehensive inventory of the forest resource, and a knowledge of limiting factors. Limiting factors being those forces such as age, fire, insects, and disease which change the forest over time. The goal of forest resource management is a resource which continues to meet the demands and expectations of the landowner and society.

monarch3_flap_md_wht.gifOne goal of a forest health program is to keep forest ecosystems functioning well over long periods of time to provide resilience to short-term stress and adaptation to long-term change. Forest health practices are conducted under two time frames. Under a long-term time frame, forest conditions and management activities are sought out and selected which discourage insect, disease, and other problems.

16scarab.jpg (3437 bytes)Under a short-term time frame, current pest activity and forest conditions are closely monitored. The risk of potential forest resource value loss is estimated. If this risk interferes with planned use(s) for the forest resource, the benefits and costs of available alternatives are compared. Based on this analysis, ecologically, socially, and economically sound alternatives are recommended to minimize losses.

Forest health information is available from forest resource managers and forest health specialists with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University Extension.

SOME RULES OF THUMB TO REMEMBER WHEN PLANTING TREES OR SELECTING TREES TO LEAVE ON YOUR PROPERTY:
  • Limiting factors which affect the growth and survival of selected trees include weather extremes, insects and diseases.
  • Soil requirements: consider soil texture, soil moisture and fertility. Obtain a soil analysis.
  • Site requirements: consider shade tolerance, wind tolerance, salt tolerance if along a salted road (conifers are very susceptible to salt injury).
  • Success of this tree in neighboring areas.
  • Before deciding to treat an insect or disease problem, evaluate whether treatment is really needed for the health of the forest and if it is cost effective.
  • Healthy and vigorous trees can usually withstand some periods of short-term stress. Before deciding to remove trees because you believe or have been told that they will die soon, consult a forest resource professional.

 

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This website is maintained by Bill Cook, Michigan State University Extension Forester in the Upper Pensinsula. 
Comments, questions, and suggestions are gratefully accepted. Editorial issues can be addressed to Eric Thompson.

Last update of this page was 04 April 2001.