Last Year’s Drought Affects Future Forests

Not even a snowy winter and wet spring can totally remedy the effects of the 2012 drought, according to Department of Natural Resources forest health specialist Linda Williams.

“The effects of the drought may not be apparent until several years after the drought,” Williams said.

Williams presented to a group at Crossroads at Big Creek on Wednesday, April 17. She said drought periods put trees under stress, which could affect their growth for years to come.

During a drought, trees close their stomata (pores on the leaf or stem of the plant) for longer periods of time to prevent water loss. They also drop leaves and twigs to save energy, or even let parts of the tree die.

When trees are stressed, like during a drought, they don’t store energy for the next spring. That means they have stunted growth, and are more susceptible to another dry year.

Another major problem of stressed trees: their inability to fight disease.

“If trees can’t put food or resources into growth, they also can’t put food or resources into protecting themselves against insects or disease,” Williams said.

Williams highlighted a number of insects that could cause trouble for forests that were stressed during the 2012 drought, like the Eastern Larch Beetle, the Two-Lined Chestnut Borer, and the Flatheaded Appletree Borer.

The best way to protect against these pests is to keep trees in good condition and limit stress.

“If you can maintain a healthy stand, that will go a long way toward protecting against insect and disease,” Williams said.

At the presentation, Williams also spoke about beech bark disease, the topic of next issue’s Green Page story.