Forest Health

Red Maple is one of the most commonly occurring trees in eastern North America. The tree is well adapted to many different site conditions, from lowlands to uplands, and shady to sunny. Its suitable habitat can be found across the entirety of Maryland.

Forest buffers are critical to the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its wildlife. But while forest buffer planting may be gaining momentum, the Chesapeake Bay watershed has lost more forest buffers than it’s gained.

Occasionally, the two roles I have with UME intersect, and I find I can use a mix of old and new skills to move projects forward, just as forest managers have learned it's good to have a mix of new and old growth to keep woodlands and wildlife healthy.

Sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) is native to Asia, from northeast India to Korea, and was introduced to the eastern U.S. in 1920. However, sawtooth oaks have adapted to a wide area of the nation and now are escaping from plantings into natural areas, particularly in the eastern states, where they can outcompete native species.

Montgomery Parks has announced a record-breaking year for its Montgomery Parks Weed Warrior Volunteer Program, galvanizing the county in the fight against non-native invasive plants.

The tuliptree, Liriodendron tulipifera, is one of the tallest of Maryland's native trees, and one of the tallest of the deciduous trees in North America.

Read about the efforts of Shepherd University's Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities and the American Chestnut Foundation to bring back this iconic species to the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

The consulting and industrial professional foresters listed in this publication are willing to work with small acreage woodland owners to encourage healthy and sustainable woodlands.

Every woodland property counts, and the cumulative decisions taken by the150,000 other private landowners will determine the future productivity, health, and biodiversity of Maryland’s forests in the face of a changing climate.

In this issue: Read about a few changes taking place, in the newsletter and more. Register now for the Spring session of our "The Woods in Your Backyard" online course, and learn about upcoming webinars. Our new feature, "Native Trees of Maryland," looks at the state tree: the white oak.  "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at wineberry. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.