Reservoir Forest Management Study

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A three year study has been initiated to see what happens to 10 acres of forest in the Prettyboy watershed when trees are thinned and deer are kept away. The results of the study will measure the forest's ability to regenerate naturally and could become a model for a forest management program for the entire watershed.

Who is doing it: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service and Baltimore City's Department of Public Works.

The current situation: The Prettyboy contains thousands of acres of pines nearing the end of their lives (see photo above). The pines were planted in the 1940’s and are now so dense that little sunlight reaches the forest floor. Thus significant tree regeneration is inhibited. What does grow is often eaten by deer or engulfed by invasive plant species. Because the pines are a monoculture of the same age there will be significant tree loss in the near future.

The study: Three, 3 acre plots were chosen. One contains white pines that have been thinned; one consists of an oak stand that has been thinned; and the third consists of Virginia pines that were all removed but the hardwoods were left standing. In each section a tenth of an acre was surrounded by an eight-foot deer fence so the results of deer grazing can be seen.

Potential issues affecting regeneration: Deer browse and proliferation of invasive species crowding out the emergent hardwoods. The results of the study should reveal this impact.