Risk Analysis and Guidelines for Harvest Activities in Wisconsin Oak Timberlands to Minimize Oak Wilt Threat

Jennifer Juzwik, Jane Cummings-Carlson, and Kyoko Scanlon

USDA Forest Service North Central Research Station (1) and Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources

Wisconsin timberland typed as oak-hickory forest was estimated at 2.9 million acres in 1996.  Growing stock volume for red oak was estimated at 2.4 billion ft³, while select white oak volume was estimated to be 927 million ft³.  Oak wilt, the primary disease of concern to this resource, is widespread in the lower two-thirds of the state.  Harvest activities in oak stands may result in introduction of the disease agent into the stand and/or accelerate intensification of the disease within stands. A numerical risk rating system based on scientific and experience-based knowledge was used to develop a statewide system for oak wilt risk analysis.  Recommendations for timber harvest activities in oak stands were then developed based on the results of the risk analysis.  The analysis and recommendations have been combined in a simple spreadsheet application (MS Excel) allowing the user to obtain specific recommendations based on his/her response to five questions about the stand under consideration.  The query page is linked to a concealed table containing the risk analysis and recommendation matrix.  The intended goal of the system is to provide consistent, state-wide recommendations for harvest activities that will, when applied, minimize spread and impact of oak wilt in Wisconsin’s oak timberlands.

Native Pests Session - Wednesday Afternoon

corresponding author:

Jennifer Juzwik
USDA Forest Service
North Central Research Station
1561 Lindig Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
651-649-5114
jjuzwik@fs.fed.us