Ash Tree Tour at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest with Matt Ayres and Jeff Garnas

Is one tree as good as another? In the next few years, thousands and thousands of ash trees will die in the White Mountains due to the invasive pest, emerald ash borer. Sadly, ash is destined for rapid functional extinction from our forests, but their spots in the forest will quickly be filled by other trees. How much will it matter that the ash are gone? How, if at all, will the forest be different when the ashes have been replaced by beech, maple, and birch? This field trip will visit the Ash Protection Experiment (APE) in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), where researchers are addressing these questions by comparing the ecology of plants, animals, microbes, and soils in groves of different tree species. We will meet at the entrance to HBEF and proceed into the forest by vehicle to visit some of the ash study plots and discuss the remarkable ecology and natural history of ash trees. We will walk into the forest but no more than about 100 steps.

Matt Ayres is Professor of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth College. Jeff Garnas is Associate Professor of Forest Ecosystem Health at University of New Hampshire. Between them, Matt and Jeff have been studying the ecology of forest pests and pathogens for over six decades.
The visit is typically 2–3 hours and involves a 1-2 mile walking tour through part of the 7,800 acre experimental forest.

Visitors must dress appropriately for walking in the woods the day of the visit. Sturdy walking/hiking shoes and trekking poles are highly recommended, and rain gear and warm hats may be needed if the weather is variable. There are no food services available at the Experimental Forest. We request that trash and food are picked up by visitors before they depart, abiding by all “Leave No Trace” principles. Bathroom facilities and water fountains are available on site at the Headquarters building. Vehicles taking visitors into the Experimental Forest will drive on a single lane well maintained dirt road for approximately 1.5 miles to the trailhead where the tours begin. Groups will meet at the Headquarters building before heading up into the forest. The headquarters building can be found at 234 Mirror Lake Road. North Woodstock, NH 03262.