UW-Stevens Point students helping to advance forestry science

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the bark of a towering hardwood tree? At the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, a group of passionate student researchers uncovered the hidden stories written within Wisconsin's majestic and economically important hardwoods.

Forestry student research assistants Alice Maas, Hannah Kovalaske, and Eric Alfredson, working with the Wisconsin Forestry Center at UW-Stevens Point and in collaboration with the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, have begun phase two of the Photographic Guide to Defects in Hardwoods series. Their work is not only advancing forestry science but also providing valuable hands-on experience that is shaping their future careers.

This project focuses on how northern red oaks respond to wounds, building on the knowledge gained from a study done in 2023 on hard maples. These guides serve as important tools for foresters and loggers, helping them make crucial decisions about tree harvesting. Forestry professors Mike Demchik and Les Werner guided the students on the project.

In 2023, the team ventured into the woods of Shawano County to select trees with visible defects such as seams, branch tearouts and epicormic sprouts. These trees were carefully felled, cut into logs and transported to the UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources Wood Utilization Lab. Unlike typical milling practices that aim to hide defects, they highlighted them to better understand how they develop.

The result? A collection of beautifully cut boards that revealed the extent of each defect. The team spent weeks photographing and measuring these boards, turning raw data into valuable insights. Their hard work culminated in presentations at the Jim and Katie Krause College of Natural Resources Student Research Symposium, where they shared their findings with the community.

"Being part of this research project was transformative. Operating a portable sawmill and assessing defects gave me practical skills, while presenting my findings boosted my confidence. This experience has prepared me for future classes and my career in forestry," said Maas, an ecosystem restoration and management student.

The research uncovered some details such as while straight seams can often be managed during milling, spiral seams are much trickier and usually reduce the usable length of lumber. Tearouts, on the other hand, worsen over time, leading to widespread decay if not addressed. Epicormic sprouts, those small branches that sprout from the trunk, create knots in the wood, significantly lowering its grade.

"As someone involved in organizing the Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium, I was eager to dive into active research," said Kovalaske. "This project honed my technical skills and deepened my understanding of timber management, making me a better forester."

"Before this project, I had experience in forest inventory and sawmills but lacked knowledge about the process of turning logs into boards," said Alfredson. "This research filled that gap and enhanced my ability to recognize and understand defects, improving my decision-making in forestry management."

Exploring hardwood defects has expanded the students' knowledge of tree biology and forestry management while enriching their academic and future professional lives. Their research and hands-on experience have provided insights that benefit both the forestry industry and the natural world.