Diversity

In the absence of disturbance, this stand would naturally succeed to be comprised of almost entirely of Sugar Maple and American Beech trees. Gaps in the canopy of ¼ to ½ acre were created to allow for more sunlight to reach the ground with the purpose of encouraging Black Cherry saplings to regenerate. Within the plot, you can notice many small trees growing very close together, differing from the surrounding older, larger trees growing further apart. This diversity attracts more types of songbirds and a variety of other wildlife.