Management proposal for a private landowner to improve an existing sugar maple stand

Abstract

The presence of sugar maple, Acer saccharum Marshall, in Northwestern Ontario is bound by the existence of unique ecological microsites and natural gap dynamic processes. Its’ management, though rare and challenging, has been embraced by Jay Stewart and his family with the personal production of maple syrup. A silviculture prescription focused on the improvement of the overall health condition of the stand, the release of sugar maple trees from competition, the nurturing of regeneration and seedbed conditions, as well as the maintenance of additionally important forest values has been developed and proposed in order to meet the landowners objectives.