Branching Out is the free, quarterly, forest stewardship newsletter
published by Maryland
Cooperative Extension to provide current information to forest
landowners, natural resource professionals, and the public. The newsletter
has a simple 4-page format that provides an in-depth story on a selected
topics, along with a calendar of events, information on new resources,
and short stories of upcoming educational programs.
To view the Spring 2001 issue of Branching Out
in pdf/printable format, click
here.
Seeing the Forest Through the Deer
A popular objective for owning forestland is wildlife and the pleasure
it provides. In Maryland, one species that contributes to this pleasure
is the white-tailed deer. Seeing a movement in the brush, the flick
of a white tail, and the graceful bounds of a deer can be thrilling
no matter how many times you have experienced it. At the same time,
hunters eagerly await deer season for recreation and food.
While deer are an important part of a forest ecosystem, an overabundance
of deer has negative impacts on the future health and biodiversity
of the forest. Some of these negative impacts are subtle enough
to be unnoticed even by people who spend a lot of time in the woods.
Early Deer Populations
When Europeans settled our area, deer averaged 8-10 per square
mile. Their populations were kept in balance with the forest ecosystem.
Hunted to near extinction at the turn of the 20th century, white-tailed
deer have made a remarkable recovery throughout the eastern U.S.
because of protective game laws, freedom from natural predators,
and an abundance of favorable rural and suburban habitat. In some
parts of Maryland today, the density exceeds 150 per square mile
and residents are well aware of deer damage to landscapes and agricultural
crops, collisions with automobiles, and the increased incidence
of Lyme disease. The impact on the health and diversity of the forest
is more subtle but very significant.
For deer and other wildlife, the availability of habitat—food,
shelter, water, and space, dictates how many animals the habitat
can support. This is carrying capacity. The cultural carrying capacity
is the maximum number of the species that can coexist compatibly
with local human populations. The biological carrying capacity is
the number of the species the ecosystem can support in good physical
condition over a period of time. The biodiversity carrying capacity
is the maximum number of the species that can exist without negatively
affecting the diversity of flora and fauna. Cultural and biological
carrying capacities for deer usually are higher than the biodiversity
carrying capacity.
Impact of Deer on the Forest
Research in forested areas of Pennsylvania shows that when deer
density is greater than 10 per square mile, the number and abundance
of herbs, trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and wildlife species are impacted
significantly by deer browsing. [See chart.] Significant losses
of vegetation from deer browsing also have been documented in Maryland
in Montgomery County parks. With high densities, deer browse all
vegetation within 5-6 feet of the ground, thereby affecting forest
regeneration and the future composition of the new forest. Deer
tend to browse on tree species that are useful for forest products
such as white ash, yellow poplar, hemlock, sugar maple, oak, and
pine. Less desirable plant species take over. Natural resource professionals
are concerned about the rapid increase in exotic and invasive species
such as ailanthus and honeysuckle.
Forest landowners who are considering the harvest of forest products
also must consider the impact of an overabundant deer population
on the ability of the forest to regenerate after the harvest. When
the forest is thinned or removed, light will stimulate new growth
of ground vegetation. However, if the deer population is not managed,
new growth may be browsed quickly, limiting the regeneration of
the new forest. Developing trees may require tree shelters, repellents,
or fencing to protect them.
Deer overbrowsing can reduce the habitat for other wildlife species
such as songbirds that use lower levels of the forest for foraging,
cover, and nesting. When deer density exceeds 10 per square mile,
the variety and abundance of songbirds declines. Some species disappear
altogether. Also lost are a winter food source for turkeys and protective
cover for ruffed grouse and black bears.
Balancing Deer and Habitat
Enjoying deer while maintaining the health and diversity of your
forestland is a challenge. In the absence of natural predators,
how can we maintain a deer herd that is in balance with the available
habitat? A closer look at the situation and some solutions will
be presented in a videoconference, April 21. See the program outline
in the box on this page and Upcoming Stewardship Events for registration
information. See Take Note for other resources on deer and forest
stewardship.
[Research reported in "Whitetails Are Changing Our Woodlands,"
Stephen B. Jones, David deCalesta, and Shelby E. Chunko, American
Forests, November-December 1993.]
Numbers and varieties of wildflowers, songbirds, and seedlings
decrease as the density of deer increases.
Deer in Rural Woodlands Videoconference
April 21, 2001- 9 a.m. to noon
Deer in hardwood forests
How bad is the situation?
Economic and ecological impacts
Deer-sensitive woodlot management
Hunters and landowners working together
Other topics + Call-in questions
Downlinked in Garrett and Washington counties. See Upcoming Stewardship
Events for more information.
Tree Farmers Increase Voice
Maryland's Tree Farm System is changing. It is beginning a new
phase to help Tree Farmers throughout Maryland communicate with
each other, make their voice heard, and promote the benefits of
Tree Farming and sustainable forestry. Regional and statewide gatherings
are proposed.
To facilitate these plans, the first Maryland Tree Farm officers
were elected recently through ballots mailed to all certified Tree
Farmers in the state. Assuming leadership of the governing body
of the Maryland Tree Farm System are Howard Anderson, president;
Robert W. Krauss, vice-president; Norma Jean Tierney, secretary;
Donald Malaney, treasurer; and Billy Laws, John H. Colton, and Robert
Hanson, directors. Two standing committees, the Maryland Tree Farm
Operating Committee and the Maryland Tree Farm Action Council, will
administer the Tree Farm program in the state.
Being in the Tree Farm program is one way to practice good stewardship
of your property using a management plan. Under the guidance of
a licensed forester, goals are set and reviewed periodically. As
with the Forest Stewardship Program, a certified Tree Farm may qualify
for reductions in property taxes. The program is free. Contact your
DNR forester for information on enrolling.
A statewide meeting of certified Tree Farmers is planned for September.
For information on that meeting or to express your ideas on what
Tree Farmers need or can do, contact Howard Anderson, Maryland Tree
Farm System, 888-455-7400, or any officer.
Maryland's Outstanding Institutional Tree
Farm of the Year
The Maryland Tree Farm System recently announced Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm
Morris of St. Mary’s County
as Maryland’s Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year for 2001
and Mount St. Mary’s College and Seminary, Emmitsburg, as
Maryland Outstanding Institutional Tree Farm of the Year. Look for
articles on these forest stewards in the next issue.
Your Link to Maryland’s Forest and Wildlife
Educational Resources
A new natural resources web page can assist you with forest stewardship
and related efforts. Developed by Maryland Cooperative Extension,
the Internet web page at the above address is filled with information
and links to many other sites.
What is a forest stewardship plan?
What is the selling price of timber?
Where can I find natural resources information and organizations?
What workshops and courses on forest stewardship are scheduled?
How can deer damage be controlled?
What's available for youth?
How can I generate additional income?
What's the Coverts Project?
Where can I read past issues of Branching Out?
The answers to these and many other questions can be found at www.naturalresources.umd.edu.
Each issue of Branching Out will be posted as it is published. Try
reading Branching Out online. If you prefer it that way, contact
us to remove your name from the hard copy mailing list.
Nonlethal Wildlife Control
A task force on nonlethal control of wildlife has been appointed
to advise the Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The twelve-member group will study scientific documentation concerning
the effectiveness of wildlife management techniques, examine the
causes of conflicts between humans and wildlife, assess current
wildlife management policies, and make recommendations for the use
and funding of nonlethal wildlife management techniques. Information
on the task force is available from DNR, 1-877-620-8DNR x 8546 or
its website www.dnr.state.md.us. Comments also can be made through
the web site.
Take Note - Resources
Newly revised! Managing Deer Damage in Maryland, EB 354, 26 pages.
Has new information on deer repellents. $2 from your county Cooperative
Extension office.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Maryland’s Best Management
Practices for Forest Harvest Operations. Maryland Department of
Natural Resources’ four-year study. 32-page report indicates
that when BMPs are used, there is no significant change in sediment
loading, water temperature, stream habitat conditions, or aquatic
insect populations. Contact your local DNR office to receive a copy
of the report.
Forest Landowners’ Guide to the Federal Income Tax, updated
Agriculture Handbook 718, 171 pages, has the latest information
on financial and tax planning. Available online at: www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop
or from the U.S. Government bookstores: http://bookstore.gpo.gov
or 202-512-0132.
April 7: Southern Maryland Forestry seminar, for
forest landowners and others; Doncaster Demonstration Forest; all
day; fee; contact David Gailey, 301-934-2543.
April 18: The Business of Silviculture: Keeping
the Forest Working; for landowners and professional foresters; 5
CFE credits approved by SAF for foresters; Nanticoke, PA; 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m.; fee; contact Danielle Young-Kocovsky, 814-863-1113, dxy8@psu.edu.
April 21: Deer in Rural Woodlands videoconference,
for forest landowners, professionals, land managers, and others.
Two locations: Garrett Community College, McHenry, contact Mike
Kozier, 301-334-6955; and Western Maryland Research & Education
Center, Keedysville, $5 registration by April 19, contact Cindy
Mason, 301-432-2767 x301, cmason@umd.edu.
April 28: Growing Ginseng for Domestic and Asian
Markets workshop; also includes goldenseal and black cohosh; New
Castle, VA; no fee; contact Ann Rogers, 540-345-6781, annr99@aol.com.
May 19: Forestry Field Day, hands-on seminar for
forest landowners and others; evaluate your forest land for wildlife
and timber enhancement, harvest techniques, portable sawmill, forest
management plans, etc.; Sugarloaf Mountain Forestry Demonstration
Area in Frederick County; registration fee; contact Mike Kay, 301-473-8417.
June 7: Maryland Tree Farm Operating Committee,
Annapolis, 10 a.m. Contact Jeff Bracken, 304-258-4681.
June 8-9: Western Maryland Loggers & Forestry
Field Day for forest landowners, professionals and others; equipment
show and educational programs for adults and youth; Garrett County
fairgrounds, McHenry; admission fee; contact Maryland Forests Association,
301-895-5369, mfa@hereintown.net.
July 25: Maryland Tree Farm System Board of Directors
meeting, place to be announced. Contact Howard Anderson, 888-455-7400.
Branching Out - Vol. 9, No. 2, Spring 2001
Editors: Jonathan Kays, Vera
Mae Schultz, Denni Johnson
Contributor: Jeff Bracken
Supported by the Maryland Tree Farm System
Published four times a year and distributed to forest landowners,
resource professionals, and other interested in forest stewardship.
Issues are posted online at www.naturalresources.umd.edu/BranchingOut.cfm.
To sign up for online updates, e-mail listserv@listserv.umd.edu.
In the body of the message, type SUB branchingout your name (ex: SUB
branchingout John Doe). For a hardcopy subscription ($10 per year
- make checks payable to University of Maryland) or to send news items,
e-mail cmason@umd.edu; call 301-432-2767x338;
or write
Branching Out
Maryland Cooperative Extension
18330 Keedysville Road
Keedysville, MD 21756-1104.
The sponsoring agencies' programs are open to all citizens without
regard to race, color, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual
orientation, marital or parental status, or national origin.
Educational Programs
