Cases: Group Selection

Assessing the success of group openings in recruiting mid/intolerant deciduous tree species (Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve)
45.20148056, -78.59005833
In this field trial, we investigated the effects of group opening treatments on the regeneration of yellow birch, black cherry, and red oak in Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve, 2-3 years after implementation of the group openings.
Evaluating the ecological impacts of EAB and climate change on black ash forests (Chippewa NF)
47.379596, -94.61931
Increase resilience of black ash stands threatened by emerald ash borer (EAB) through regeneration harvests aimed at increasing representation of non-ash species.
Field Trial - Natural Regeneration of Red Pine Under an Existing Stand through Shelterwood and Gap Thinning Techniques (MN DNR)
46.323033, -92.791008
Establish a fully stocked red pine stand from natural regeneration.
Group Selection Harvest for Northern Hardwood Regeneration (Carlton County, MN)
46.645463, -92.666523
The objective is to perpetuate red oak and mid-tolerant northern hardwoods on the site.
Group Selection Harvest with Artificial and Natural Regeneration on a Southern Floodplain Forest Community: Collischan Bottoms Site (MN DNR)
44.5806, -92.6123
Regenerate a mature lowland hardwoods stand to a young stand of similar composition.
Group Selection Harvest with Artificial and Natural Regeneration on a Southern Floodplain Forest Community: Eggleston Site (MN DNR)
44.621295, -92.66885
Regenerate a mature lowland hardwoods stand to a young stand of similar composition.
Mississippi River Pool 3 Floodplain Forest Silvicultural Trials (US Army Corps of Engineers)
44.695476, -92.715319
Promote regeneration of floodplain tree species and prevent conversion of site to reed canary grass. Provide wildlife habitat for the next 50 to 100 years.
Multi-aged Northern Hardwood Forest (Aitkin County)
47.00763, -93.731335
Manage for quality hardwoods and multiple age classes through release of crop trees and allowing for regeneration of red oak and paper birch through variable density thinning.
Oak Regeneration in Varying Gap Sizes (MN DNR)
46.715019, -92.778827
Change stand structure to a multi-aged stand while maintaining similar stand species and structure. Compare gap sizes to see which encouraged the most positive regeneration of oak.
Red Oak & Northern Hardwood Thin/Group Selection (Aitkin Cty, MN)
46.275026, -93.388933
Create a high quality, structurally diverse (un-even aged) hardwood forest via implementation of a variable density treatment (crop tree release / group selection harvest).
Regeneration and Stand Improvement Results in Bottomland Hardwoods 30 Years after Initial Treatment (MN DNR)
44.600222, -92.625645
Regenerate the mature portion of a lowland hardwoods stand to a young stand of similar composition and improve health and vigor of younger portion of the stand.
Results of 35 years of Lowland Hardwoods Regeneration Efforts on a Floodplain Forest Site in the Vermillion/Mississippi River Bottoms (MN DNR)
44.665304, -92.731634
Regenerate mature lowland hardwood stands to young stands of similar composition.
Small Gap Harvest with Natural and Artificial Regeneration in Northern Hardwoods on a Southern Mesic Oak-Basswood Forest Plant Community (MN DNR)
43.903317, -92.341258
Maintain the maple-basswood native plant community including a regenerated component of oak while retaining a diverse shrub layer and maintaining or increasing the diversity of native plants in the herbaceous layer.
Variable Overstory Density Management for White Pine Regeneration in Two Native Plant Communities (MN DNR)
46.203202, -94.492236
Establish or maintain uneven aged pine-mixed hardwood stands with a significant white pine component using natural regeneration.
Cover type
Adaptive silviculture options
Site preparation method
Soil texture
Silviculture system
Forest health threats
Mature red and white pine tower over regenerating conifers in the understory.

Comparing Pine Regeneration Methods and Tactics in the Cloquet Valley State Forest (MN DNR)

The goal on all three stands was to decrease the overall abundance of trembling aspen, paper birch, and balsam fir while increasing the abundance of long-lived conifers such as red pine, white pine, white, and black spruce.

Cover type: Pine

These two photos compare exposed tree seedlings to those growing vigorously in a fenced deer exclosure.

Goose Island Deer Repellent Test (US Army Corps)

The objective of the planting was to test the effectiveness of deer fence and animal protein-based deer repellent on growth and survival of swamp white oak and river birch seedlings.

Cover type: Other

Mississippi River Pool 3 Floodplain Forest Silvicultural Trials (US Army Corps of Engineers)

Promote regeneration of floodplain tree species and prevent conversion of site to reed canary grass. Provide wildlife habitat for the next 50 to 100 years.

Cover type: Other

Conditions on part of the study area in 2023, after harvest and patchy blowdown

Variable Overstory Density Management for White Pine Regeneration in Two Native Plant Communities (MN DNR)

Establish or maintain uneven aged pine-mixed hardwood stands with a significant white pine component using natural regeneration.

Cover type: Mixed Woods

Drone imagery of the project area; the slash wall stands out amidst the scattered overstory.

Shelterwood and slash walls to regenerate northern red oak and eastern hemlock (USFS)

Objectives of this stand include a shelterwood harvest, tending of the stand via understory cutting, constructing a slash wall for deer exclusion, and evaluating the effectiveness of excluding deer and the natural regeneration success.

Cover type: Northern hardwoods

Project summer site in 2020, with black walnut in the background.

Direct Seeding of Hardwoods on a Former Agricultural Site with Observations on Soil Compaction (MN DNR)

Improve water quality, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities and produce forest products by establishing a mixed hardwood stand on a former agricultural field.

Cover type: Other

A mature red pine forest stands among dense fog and thick layer of ground cover.

Fuels Reduction Thinning in Multi-Aged Red Pine (UMN-CFC)

To lower stand density in a spatially heterogeneous fashion, reduce fuel-loading in a mature stand by disconnecting foliage between the canopy and sub-canopy, and increase aesthetic appeal of a multi-aged red pine stand.

Cover type: Pine

A dozer tears up the ground behind it as it drives through the stand.

Oak Scarification Trials using Good Neighbor Authority (USFS/WDNR)

Promote mixed oak-pine stands for quality sawtimber and wildlife habitat associated with the Northern Dry-Mesic Forest natural community. Test various mechanical scarification techniques to create favorable seedbeds and increase oak and white pine regen.

Cover type: Central hardwoods

Several stumps and roots are uprooted and exposed on very disrupted soil.

Oak Wilt Control on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Using the Root Rupture Method (USFS)

Cost effective and operationally feasible control of oak wilt in a forested setting.

Cover type: Central hardwoods

Prescribed burning to increase blueberries and ericaceous shrubs (MN DNR)

Increase biological diversity of a young jack pine stand through prescribed burning.

Cover type: Pine