Southern Berkshires Forest Management Projects

The Cattle Barn Lot forest management project is located in the northern parcel of Mt. Washington State Forest.  One component of the project is treating a small failed white spruce plantation and European larch plantation; the former to develop early successional habitat of which there is currently less than desired in the area; and the latter to maintain the vigor of the residual trees; although, the work will proceed gradually to retain the vibrant fall colors in the culturally noteworthy larch plantation.  In the native, natural stands forming the bulk of the proposal area, single-tree and group selection treatments will be applied to increase species and age class diversity in these even-aged stands dominated by a small number of tree species, promoting better resilience to future stressors and disturbances.  The treatments will, in part, be designed to help slow the spread of emerald ash borer, mitigate declining ingrowth and net growth, control invasive species, and direct resources to help maintain the fields as important cultural and habitat resources.