North Country Old Growth Program

About

The North Country Old Growth Program was started to evaluate, manage and protect local old-growth trees and forests. Started by students and staff, the program looks to gather field data on old-growth forests in the region in order to establish a viable forest landscape. The methodology includes stand evaluations and a scoring system that identifies high-quality old-growth stands, so they can be better preserved and managed. Stand evaluations aid in anti-fragmentation efforts by creating a network of interconnected forest blocks. Additionally, the program works closely with public agencies and private landowners on management tactics. Read on to understand more about what old-growth is and how we collect data! 

What is an old-growth forest?

The term "old-growth" has been around since the early days of logging. There are numerous definitions for what qualifies as an old-growth forest. One main definition refers to forests which have developed a complex structure characterized by large, live and dead trees; distinctive habitats; a diverse group of plants, fungi, and animals; and are at least 150 years old. Old-growth often have little to no human influence and are vital for many ecosystems of plants, fungi, animals including mammals and bird species. A main feature of old-growth forests are large, old trees which serve many functions in the ecosystem: species protectors, carbon sequesters, and resources for indigenous spiritual purposes.

St. Lawrence student extracts tree "core" from old-growth tree. The core's rings can help us to approximate the tree's age.  

Students hiking to forest block to conduct an old-growth evaluation.

Project Origins

The project started as a way to assess old-growth (OG) remnants in St. Lawrence County. Before the program began, it was assumed the only old-growth stands that existed in the North Country were located in the Adirondacks. Since no previous research on intact old-growth stands had been done in St. Lawrence county, the program was developed to gather such consistent data over the years. The program's methodology look to develop a simple, yet applicable OG data collection system which could be conducted by undergraduate students over the course of each semester. 

Thus, the SLC Old-Growth Program was created in order to further and advance conservation efforts in the county. By collecting data into an intergenerational database, the program intends to establish connected old-growth preserves. The preservation of these rotation forests allow animal and species migration to occur with little to no human disturbance.

The methodology used for the program includes candidate stands that are chosen specifically and through the use of an evaluation rubric. Stands are identified through literature reviews and through anecdotal accounts. For private land, requests are needed in order to identify tree stands. The same rubric is to retain data accuracy and cross-stand comparability. 

Process for Evaluating old-growth stands

Evaluating an old-growth stand is a fairly complex process that includes several steps. However, once seasoned in the process, it becomes much easier and quicker. First, the evaluator must find the GPS location at the center of the stand. This can be done using a satellite phone. Next, the evaluator must determine the directions to the stand and the stand cover type, along with the forest block, or how many acres the forest containing the stand belongs, generally ranging from 0-200 acres. To follow, the acreage of the stand must then be determined, along with the physiographic class, including the following classifications: Xeric, Xeromesic, Mesic, Hydromesic, and Hydric. Next, the evaluator must assess the amount of cut stumps within the stand: none, few, or many, and their relative, apparent age: recent, older, or well-decayed. Following, the evaluator must asses significant disturbances such as fire scars, wind storm damage, or human disturbance. 

After this, individual tree data per plot is recorded including crown class, diameter at breast height (DBH), and snag length. To gain a more holistic perception on the stand, the evaluation gathers further information about number of rings, tree diameter (DBH), cut or uncut stumps, and natural regeneration.

Current Results

Three evaluated stands are deemed to have the minimum requirements for old-growth forests.

1) Elder Grove: Located near Paul Smith's College. The Elder Grove contains species of balsam fir, white pine, white cedar, hemlock, sugar maple, striped maple, paper birch, yellow birch, and American beech. There is no evidence of invasive species.

2) Peavine Swamp: Located west of the town of Governeur. Peavine Swamp is a surrounding forest that has been heavily logged, consisting of Red Oaks trees. 

3) Holzhausen: Located near Ogdensburg. The stand contains old, rare sugar maples, and many regenerating, medium-size trees.

As the North Country Old-Growth program has continued, we continue to search for further forests suitable for old-growth designation and protection.

Citations:

Rock, J. (2019, July 15). To Find the Elder’s Grove. Paul Smith's College. https://www.paulsmiths.edu/vic/to-find-the-elders-grove/

Woodman, Tom. (2013, February 28). Exploring a venerable forest on Peavine Swamp Ski Trail. Adirondack Explorer. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/skiing-the-quiet-groves

Rosales, J. et. al. (2007). An Old-Growth Program for St. Lawrence County. St. Lawrence University Environmental Studies Department. St. Lawrence University. 

PNRS. (2003, June). New Findings About Old-Growth Forests. Pacific Northwest Research Station. PNW Science Update. https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/science-update-4.pdf

Llewelyn, Robert. (2020). Our Mission: Creating a national
network of protected old-growth forests. Old-Growth Forest Network. https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/

Breiter, M. (2015). Visit the World’s Most Amazing Old-Growth Forests. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/amazing-old-growth-forests-world-180956083/