Baltimore County has been taking a close look at forest health and new challenges in forest management. For starters, some good news: The amount of forested land has increased from 114,244 acres in 1914 to 131,046 acres in 1997. That is qualified good news, as the entire county (and state) was once entirely forested, and remaining forests today have to withstand many assaults associated with heavily developed portions of watersheds.
One of the most pressing challenges today is forest management. According to the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM), 75% of forest land in the county is under private ownership. Approximately 50,000 property owners now have a piece of forest land ranging in size from a few acres to dozens of acres. While there are many threats to a healthy forest such as deer, invasive plants, and insect infestations, there is little in the way of comprehensive forest management due to the fragmented ownership. DEPRM hopes to improve the situation by offering management guidance and by providing incentives to reforest targeted areas, particularly stream corridors.
The department has initiated a Growing Home Campaign where over 25 local garden centers have partnered with the county to provide a $10 coupon towards the purchase of a tree. In addition, DEPRM has launched a Rural Residential Stewardship program aimed at reforestation on privately owned lots of three acres or more in size. An analysis of large lot residential developments showed many acres of unused open land being regularly mowed by owners. In many places this practice has created gaps in forest cover and left stream banks barren of vegetation needed to filter water draining into the water course. Reforesting these areas would improve overall watershed health and save the homeowner time and money spent on mowing, not to mention providing scenic view, additional shade and increase wildlife habitats.
Oaks Struggle to Hold Ground
DEPRM has also recently contracted with professional foresters to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the forest in the county-owned Oregon Ridge Park. The park contains 1,043 acres and is largely forested. The predominant species in the forest is oak. This is a fortunate circumstance, as ecologists have recently determined that oak trees are superior to other native species in their ability to trap nutrients and subsequently improve water quality.
The study, conducted by Len Wrabel of Mar-Len Environmental Services and Mark Twery of the USDA Forest Service, found several major stressors on the forest. These stressors have set a course that could eventually change the forest structure from an oak forest to a red maple forest. Gypsy moths, deer, and invasive plants are the main culprits. Without rapid and comprehensive solutions to these problems, the mighty oak will fail to reproduce. Instead, they will be stunted by the shady atmosphere produced by the understory of red maples now thriving in the current environment. This is not a natural progression, but one fostered by multiple symptoms stemming from rapid growth, fragmentation, and increased forest edge conditions. Aggressive measures are needed to save the oak. Visitors using the trails in the park will notice many dead trees marked for removal. These large trees were victims of the gypsy moth and are an indication of the future fate of oak trees in Oregon Ridge.
Forests provide a wealth of ecosystem services including cleaning the air and water. The most basic needs for subsistence of life are provided by healthy forests. They cannot be taken for granted. Baltimore County forests need attention and action if they are to continue providing critical services and products. Do the forest a favor: support initiatives to expand forest cover, improve management of forested lands, and protect forests from major threats.
