Northcentral Forests of Pennsylvania

The forests of Pennsylvania’s northcentral region are among the most valuable resources in the state. Their uniqueness lies in their vastness — a geographical scope uncommon in the mid-Atlantic region. The extensive forests of the region offer thousands of acres of habitat for species dependent on deep forests. They also provide an unparalleled opportunity to restore large tracts of old or “late successional” forests while still maintaining the economically important forest industry of the region.

The northcentral forest region, which includes the Allegheny National Forest, is located in the Allegheny High Plateaus Ecoregion, an area from Warren and Venango counties east to Lycoming County. It is characterized by high elevations (around 2000-feet) and deep valleys carved into the plateau by the natural erosion of the area’s numerous streams. Northern hardwoods composed largely of maples, American beech and birches, along with northern red oak, dominate these forests. More diverse stands can be found in the valleys which contain American basswood, cucumber magnolia tree and eastern hemlock.

While the forests of neighboring regions have become fragmented by agriculture, development and other non-forest uses, the forests of northcentral Pennsylvania have remained relatively intact. It is the large and relatively contiguous nature of these forests that offer the most benefit for conservation. Some species, like the northern goshawk and fisher, depend on extensive forest to survive.

Returning a Missing Puzzle Piece

Perhaps the most significant conservation benefit of the vast north central forests is the opportunity to restore old growth forests, which are a very rare occurrence in the eastern United States. Several species depend on old growth forests characterized by multiple layers of vegetation, large and dead trees.

With most managed forests harvested after about 100 years, it is hard to define old growth forests. However, many tree species can live for hundreds of years. Trying to create large contiguous forest areas with trees from 200 to 300 years old is a long-term endeavor.

Most of the old growth forests in the east exist as “old growth remnants” of small patches from 10 to a few hundred acres in size. Their small size and dynamic nature leaves them vulnerable to natural disturbances. There are many examples of old growth remnants that have been toppled by a severe windstorm or similar meteorological event.

With the vast forest resources of northcentral Pennsylvania, there is an opportunity to create large areas of old forests that are buffered from catastrophic disturbance and surrounded by well-managed productive forests. This vision for forest conservation will protect the expanse of forest in the region, maintain the important economic contribution of the forest, and enhance conservation by adding a missing piece of the puzzle — large functioning tracts of old growth forest with real staying power.

Currently Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working with conservation partners to create a system of old growth forests. Additionally some private landowners, like the Collins Co.’s Kane Hardwood division, are taking the lead in this important effort by voluntarily creating reserve areas that will be allowed to grow into older forest ecosystems.

Go to the next article, Private Forestland: Looking into the Future of Conservation.