The Discovery Forest at Mohican
Mohican-Memorial State Forest is within 90-minutes of the majority of Ohio’s population, and presents a unique opportunity to further public awareness about forest ecosystems and their management.
A Living Classroom
A flat, to gently rolling trail system of approximately 1.5 miles accommodate a broad range of visitor’s ages.
A full range of forest management practices are demonstrated and all timber harvesting will demonstrate environmentally-friendly techniques.
For example, a crop tree release allows for certain trees in a stand to be selected for continued growth. Trees touching the crown of the selected trees are removed. This reduces competition with the selected trees for sunlight, water, soil nutrients, and growing space, allowing for faster and better growth.
Improvement cuts are made in stands past the sapling state for the purpose of improving composition and quality by removing trees of undesirable species, form, or condition.
A clear cut removes all trees larger than two inches in diameter at breast height from a specific area. This method maximizes available sunlight for new tree growth and is effective at regenerating native hardwoods.
An understory removal creates a “park-like” setting.
The guided tours and talks, signs, and brochures have been provided by the Mohican-Memorial Ad Hoc Advisory Council (MMAHC).
Need For Education
From the Emerald Ash Borer to Gypsy Moths to Sudden Oak Death, an increasing number of exotic, invasive insects, plants and diseases are threatening Ohio’s forests.
This is occurring at the same time that Ohio’s reforestation efforts have stalled for the first time in a century. Meanwhile it is expected that tens of thousands of acres of privately-owned forest land will be tranferred from one generation to the next.
Having a centrally located forest demonstration area allows OSU Extension, the Woodlands Stewards Program, the Ohio Tree Farm System, and the Division of Forestry’s Service Forestry Program to host workshops and seminars on sustainable forestry practices.