Work

Impacts of a Hickory Decline Event and Implications for Bitternut Hickory

Year: 2023

Type: report

Abstract: Between 2010 and 2016, rapid and extensive mortality of bitternut hickory (i.e., 35 percent year -1 ) was observed within a long-term experimental site in Wisconsin.The purpose of this study was to document and quantify the mortality, investigate stem-density impacts on mortality, and assess remaining hickory regeneration.Similar mortality has been reported in the midwest and northeast United States, and a pathogenic fungus (Ceratocystis smalleyi Johnson and Harrington) and hickory bark beetle (Scolytus quadrispinosus Say) were identified as the causal agents, herein investigated via a post hoc analysis.Larger hickory stems (i.e., >20 cm d.b.h.) experienced higher mortality rates than smaller stems (i.e., 10 to <20 cm d.b.h.).Density (i.e., percent hickory), crown class, and diameter were statistically important in predicting hickory mortality.Maintaining this species is increasingly important, especially as other dominant species, such as ash, are also decreasing.Management actions such as selective thinning will be important in mitigating these rapid hickory declines.

DOI: 10.2737/nrs-gtr-p-211-paper49

Authors: Kelsey A. Bakken, Jodi A. Forrester, David J. Mladenoff, Zakiya Leggett, Jennifer Juzwik, Robert M. Jetton