Private landowners play a critical role in preserving Ohio’s natural heritage where a majority of the state’s eight million acres of forest are privately owned. To manage these forests, land stewards commonly employ strategies like selective thinning (removal of canopy trees) and removal of invasive shrubs in order to maintain healthy forests. But what do these strategies actually accomplish, especially when it comes to encouraging growth of native tree species? A recent study from Holden Forests & Gardens, published in Forest Ecology and Management, provides new insights into this question.

The research, led by Alexa Wagner and Katie Stuble, evaluated how two forest management approaches—selective overstory thinning alone, and thinning combined with the removal of nonnative shrubs—affect the establishment of native woody seedlings in a forest at the Holden Arboretum. The findings offer critical guidance for landowners and conservationists looking to protect forest ecosystems for the long term.

The work is part of a broader initiative at Holden called Working Woods. Working Woods is a place as well as a project: It’s a research site used to scientifically study the effects of real forest management practices. And it’s also a demonstration forest open to the public, so that landowners can come see first-hand the effects of different management strategies on the land. Holden’s community foresters host educational programming at the site, including field days, workshops, and other programs geared toward equipping foresters and landowners to protect their forests.

“Protecting our forests isn’t just about cutting trees or clearing invasives,” says Stuble, ecologist and research chair at Holden Forests & Gardens. “It’s about understanding the complex interplay between different species and how management can create conditions that foster healthier, more resilient ecosystems.”

The team monitored how different management practices, completed in 2018 and 2019, influenced the regeneration of new woody seedlings over the following three years (2020-2022). They found that the composition of new woody species varied across both treatments and years.

“A big upshot of this is that it’s not enough to just thin the canopy, but rather nonnative shrub removal is key if we want to begin to restructure the composition of these young forests,” says Stuble.

“Our research shows that forest management—particularly the removal of invasive shrubs—is essential for native plant regeneration,” says Wagner, who conducted research during her graduate studies in the Stuble lab and is now research faculty at Hiram College. “We’re seeing positive changes in areas where tree thinning and invasive removal occur together, but it will take time for these improvements to fully unfold. This combined approach is crucial for shaping the future of our forests, and I look forward to continuing to explore how these strategies influence forest dynamics over the long term.”

This research at Holden Forests & Gardens is part of a broader commitment to understanding and protecting Northeast Ohio’s vital forest ecosystems. By using evidence-based strategies to manage forests, private landowners and conservation organizations can play a pivotal role in safeguarding these natural resources for future generations.

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Woodland owners: By visiting Holden’s Working Woods demonstration site, you can see firsthand how different management strategies impact forest health. Whether you’re looking to improve wildlife habitat, increase native plant diversity, or make your woods more resilient, these research-based practices can serve as a valuable guide. Join one of our educational workshops or field days to learn how to protect and manage your own piece of Ohio’s natural heritage for future generations. Sign up for the Working Woods email list to be notified of upcoming opportunities.