Each plot consists of four subplots arranged systematically around the plot center. At each plot, information is gathered about trees, saplings, seedlings, and herbaceous plants. Data was collected on all plots during June, July, and August of the establishment year. One-third of the plots will be re-measured each year. The purpose of this project is to monitor the condition of Ohio’s state forest system and to track long term state forest health trends.

Since data collected from these plots is geared toward long term trend monitoring, it is too early to draw many conclusions regarding changes in forest condition. We can, however, tell you a few facts about the trees on our plots. For instance, the table below shows the number of plots in various forest types. Because plot locations are randomly located, the numbers may roughly represent the relative abundance of each forest type in the state forest system.

Analysis of the tree data collected during the initial plot visits revealed that a wide majority of the plot trees are healthy. Evaluation factors considered include crown condition, conks, broken branches, open wounds, foliage damage, cankers, broken boles, branch brooms, and resinosis. So, in other words, relatively few plot trees showed signs related to these condition factors.

# of plots % of plots Forest Type 16.6 63.8 oak/hickory 3.25 12.5 pine 2.4 9.2 maple/beech/birch 1.5 5.8 elm/ash 1 3.8 oak/pine .75 2.9 non-stocked .25 1.0 aspen/birch .25 1.0 non-forest 26 100 TOTAL

This is a very positive statement about state forest conditions, especially considering that all trees are evaluated at each plot. This includes suppressed trees, pioneer species now growing in the understory, the weakest genetic individuals, and species growing on unsuitable sites. Sassafras trees, for instance, often exhibited cankers and open wounds. This is exactly what you expect in a healthy forest as sassafras is out competed and shaded by surrounding trees through the process of natural succession.

The Division of Forestry will continue to monitor the state forest system, and will continue to provide information regarding forest condition trends as the data allows.

North American Maple Project (NAMP)

Adult Pear Thrips Pear Thrips Damage on Sugar Maple Foliage

In 1992 NAMP plots were established in Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull Counties in northeast Ohio. NAMP is a Canadian/U.S. project investigating concerns about sugar maple health. Study plots are located in active sugarbushes. Overall, sugar maples have been healthy in the monitored plots. Trees in some plots, however, have been injured or defoliated by pear thrips. Injury associated with feeding by loopers has also been detected. Windthrow caused by severe storms in 1993 and 1994 reduced stocking in some stands, but average annual mortality remains less than 1 percent.

Ohio's Ash Population                                                                                       USDA Forest Service  - 2006 Forest Inventory Analysis Program data