Science_Topic Content Page_Forest Regeneration

Forest Regeneration

Forestry

Forest regeneration is the process of renewing tree cover by establishing young trees. The process can happen naturally in a forest, typically following some type of disturbance, such as a windstorm, fire or timber harvest, or it can happen artificially with tree planting or direct seeding. Successful and desirable forest regeneration is vital to sustainable forest management. The composition, quality, health and vigor of tree regeneration will determine the future of Wisconsin’s forests.

Forest research is needed to answer a diverse set of ecological and management questions related to sustainable forest regeneration. Current research areas include regeneration harvest systems, tree planting, natural disturbance, deer browse, seed dispersal, climate change, insects and disease, land-use and forest genetics.

Regeneration Studies

Two people, wearing orange vests, in a forest. The person on the left is standing and taking notes on a notepad. The person on the right is kneeling, examining the undergrowth.

Forest Regeneration Monitoring

Wisconsin’s forests rely on successful regeneration to maintain long-term health and productivity. Monitoring this regeneration is essential after harvesting or natural disturbance to ensure young trees are establishing and growing as expected.

The Forest Regeneration Monitoring Program, launched in 2018, uses the Forest Regeneration Metric (FRM) to assess seedling and sapling growth across 46 forested counties. This study aims to develop Wisconsin-specific regeneration standards, monitor long-term forest composition changes and evaluate forest management practices.

The program also equips local County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) and resource managers with science-based data to inform deer population goal-setting efforts.

Three people planting acorns by hand in an open dirt field.

Desired Regeneration through Assisted Migration (DREAM)

Rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns resulting from climate change threaten forest health, structure, composition and regeneration success. Current projections indicate that these changes will outpace the species’ ability to migrate and adapt to more favorable conditions, challenging resource managers as they decide which species to invest resources in during reforestation and restoration projects.

DREAM is an international collaborative study investigating forest-assisted migration. The goal of this study is to identify which species and management techniques are most likely to be successful, providing valuable knowledge to land managers as they manage for forests that are more resilient to future climate conditions.  

An oak tree stump covered in dead grass and pine needles.

Persistence of Oak Wilt in Clearcut Stands

Oak management commonly includes clearcut harvesting, particularly on lower-quality sites where stump sprouting is a viable regeneration method, but also where oak wilt is most problematic. It is not known if clearcutting, where oak is a desirable species to regenerate, could exacerbate oak wilt spread and mortality or serve as an effective control. This project evaluated long-term (10-year) persistence of oak wilt, as well as stump survival and vigor over time.

A stack of ash trees that have been freshly cut down. The pile of trees lies in a snowy forest.

Evaluating Adaptive Management Options for Black Ash Forests in the Face of Emerald Ash Borer Invasion

The emerald ash borer (EAB) threatens the future of black ash wetlands, which are important to the hydrologic and ecological health of the Great Lakes’ forests. As black ash often dominates wetland forests, its loss can shift ecosystems toward marsh-like, non-forested conditions. 

This review compiles research from multiple adaptive silvicultural studies and field trials across Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. It evaluates preemptive harvest strategies and the planting of replacement species, such as swamp white oak and tamarack, to retain forested conditions post-EAB invasion. 

This study guides resource managers in building forest resilience before EAB arrival, emphasizing the importance of site-specific approaches to preserve wetland function, maintain tree canopy and reduce long-term ecological disruption. This is a collaborative study with the University of Vermont, U.S. Forest Service and Minnesota Forest Resources Council.