Forestry Data
During the summer of 1997, a 5% systematic survey was conducted on the Sternberg Forest to survey the forest and groundcover layers. The Sternberg Forest contains four different communities, due to variety of the soils, slope and water level. During the winters of 1995 and 1996, a thinning cut was preformed to further promote diversity of the forest communities. The four communities include an aspen stand, an oak/maple forest, an upland maple/birch forest and a wetland community that includes Bull Jr. Creek.
The aspen stand was clearcut to encourage regeneration of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). In the summer of 1998, the aspen saplings were already 6-10' tall. There is a high population of beaver (Castor canadensis) and white tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the Forest, which may negatively impact these aspen trees. To the west of the clearcut, is a red oak (Quercus rubra) and red maple (Acer rubrum) area, containing many 20-28" dbh (diameter at breast height = 4.5' above the ground) trees. Portions of this area are prone to seasonal flooding and typically contains pools of standing water. A small stand of hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) trees are growing near the western edge of this stand. East of the clearcut is a beautiful upland red maple and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) area. The average dbh of the paper birch is 8". The red maples in the area are slightly larger, with an average dbh of 8.5".
Dissecting the property from the southeast to the northwest, is Bull Junior Creek, which flows west into the Wisconsin River. Bull Junior Creek is very old and meandering, with a wide floodplain and many small back bays. The creek floods during periods of spring snowmelt or high rainfall. There are several beaver dams, lodges and otter (Lutra canadensis) slides along the stretch of creek that flows through the property. Many species of wildlife inhabit this wetland area, including woodducks (Aix sponsa), sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) and snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina).
Tree Information (>3.5'
tall, >5.5" dbh)*
| Common Name American Elm Ash Eastern Hemlock Jack Pine Paper Birch Quaking Aspen Red Maple Red Oak Silver Maple White Pine |
Scientific Name Ulmus americana Fraxinus spp. Tsuga canadensis Pinus banksiana Betula papyrifera Populus tremuloides Acer rubrum Quercus rubra Acer saccharinum Pinus strobus |
%
of Forest 1.3% 0.7% 0.7% 2.6% 26.5% 2.6% 45.0% 14.6% 4.6% 1.3% |
Sapling Information (>3.5'
tall, < 5.5" dbh)*
| Common Name Alder American Elm Ash Balsam Fir Choke Cherry Eastern Hemlock Hazelnut Ironwood Laurel Mapleleaf Vibernum Paper Birch Quaking Aspen Red Maple Red Oak Silver Maple Velvetleaf (Indian Mallow) Willow spp. |
Scientific Name Alnus regosa Ulmus americana Fraxinus spp. Abies balsamea Prunus virginiana Tsuga canadensis Corylus americana Carpinus caroliniana Kalmia spp. Vibernum acerifolium Betula papyrifera Populus tremuloides Acer rubrum Quercus rubra Acer saccharinum Abutilon theophrasti Salix spp. |
%
of Forest 41.0% 1.7% 0.7% 0.5% 1.5% 3.9% 0.2% 0.5% 2.9% 0.7% 0.5% 3.2% 18.2% 8.8% 1.0% 5.4% 9.3% |
*The forestry data was collected by Sue Kissinger (July 1997)