Ash Forest Transition Tree Planting Project

The FNPCW is undertaking a 5-year transition of our black ash-dominated wetland forest to native trees that are projected to fare well in a warming climate. The wetland forests surrounding North Pikes Creek and its headwaters are facing the dual challenges of an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation of black ash trees, and a future warmer, drier climate that will hasten the decline of aspen-birch and lowland conifer species. These challenges, if not mitigated, will negatively affect the ecological functions of the watershed and Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay.

In order to address these challenges our forests are facing, the Friends organization recently developed a scientific forestry management plan, using the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) Adaptation Planning and Practices framework. (See an overview of the plan here.)

Our plan addresses the anticipated loss of trees to EAB. The death of black ash trees can cause a cascading loss of the wetland forest if not proactively addressed. Each mature ash tree removes up to 60 gallons of water daily from wetland soil through its root system. Without this transpiration process, our ash-dominated forest would “swamp out” and be replaced by less desirable species that can tolerate swampy conditions – such as speckled alder and invasive reed canary grass.

The Friends began the transition of our black ash-dominated wetland forest in spring of 2023 with a demonstration underplanting of 450 tree plugs of 5 species – red oak, swamp white oak, bur oak, black cherry, and hackberry. In spring of 2024 we’ll plant another 750 plugs of 3 species in the wettest areas of our black ash stands – swamp white oak, bur oak, and disease resistant American elm. These native tree species are expected to fare well as the climate continues to warm, and will continue to provide habitat for existing and future wildlife species dependent on this ecosystem. The results of these small underplanting projects will identify the tree species that will do well in this wetland forest habitat and thus, should be selected for a large-scale forest underplanting effort projected for 2027. The FNPCW will ultimately transition our predominantly black ash forest to a diversity of tree species that thrive in this wetland habitat, that fare well in a warming climate, and that will continue to provide habitat for existing wildlife species as the forest composition and the climate continues to change.