SLASH WALLS – A NOVEL METHOD TO PREVENT DEER IMPACTS TO FOREST REGENERATION

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: MCINTIRE-STENNIS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1020776
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2019
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2022
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
ITHACA,NY 14853

Performing Department
Natural Resources

Non Technical Summary
Executive SummaryOver-browsing by deer has impaired the regeneration of desirable hardwood seedlings in the Northeast. Slash walls, the dense accumulation of low-value tree tops at the perimeter of a harvest, may provide a cost-effective and ecological desirable strategy to protect seedlings. Research will document the effectiveness of slash walls, and extension resources will increase awareness and adoption.CollaboratorsBob O'Brien, Cotton-Hanlon, Chief Forester. Cotton-Hanlon; Jeff Tilley, Silviculturist, Forestry Program Leader, USFS Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forest; Tim Noon, Natural Resource Specialist, USFS - Finger Lakes National Forests. The Green Mountain/Finger Lakes National Forest; Doug Little, Director of Conservation Operations (Northeast), National Wild Turkey Federation.Integrated Research and Extension ActivitiesThis project was specifically designed to integrate research and extension objectives. Pilot data from recently established slash walls at the Arnot Forest, coupled with extension forestry field tours, document the need to fully validate the effectiveness of slash walls and develop best practices for stakeholders who intend to use of slash walls. Approximately 16,000 feet of slash walls were installed in 2017 among 4 harvest blocks, and two additional harvest blocks will add 12,000 feet of slash walls by 2019. The field tours helped identify research data that stakeholders will value as they assess the legitimacy of slash walls. Research objectives for this project will create knowledge that directly feeds into the extension objectives. Preliminary research data substantiates the need for an expanded project. A logic model strategy used the desired extension outcomes to inform the types of research objectives and methods that will be used and the partners/collaborators to engage.Background and ContextDeer have devastated NY and eastern forests. Until now there has not been a practical, timely and cost-effective method to limit deer impacts. Deer over-browsing destroys desirable seedlings, reduces biodiversity, and promotes undesirable interfering shrubs. The ForestConnect forest vegetation management network identified the impacts of deer and interfering vegetation as the highest priority issue. NYFOA, with partners such as TNC and Audubon prioritize and advance their Restore New York Woodlands Initiative similarly focused on deer and interfering vegetation.Methods to limit deer impacts are costly to install and maintain, and seldom used. In a completely novel approach, the Arnot Forest recently began trials of slash walls, a dense accumulation of low-value tree tops and stems at the perimeter of regenerative harvests. Pilot data, field observations, and multiple expert assessment have been highly favorable, but validation requires an integrated applied research and extension project to optimize adoption.Slash walls are potentially one of the most profound advances in forestry as a solution for the greatest threat to forest regeneration. Commercial forestry needs a workable solution. The cost estimates of the original four slash walls, the pilot data on effectiveness, and the receptivity of stakeholders suggests this novel approach is the most viable method to sustainably manage and regenerate New York's valuable hardwood resource. Stakeholders have helped develop this practice and are excited by its potential.Extension ObjectivesIncrease awareness and knowledge among foresters, loggers and woodland ownersfor the benefits and application of slash walls.Create educational resources that document cost and effectiveness and validate slash walls as a method that is legitimate under federal farm bill cost share funding.Research ObjectivesEvaluate the ability of slash wall to protect hardwood seedlings from deer and slash wall induced changes in wildlife habitat.Identify barriers to hardwood regeneration within the slash wall.Evaluate beech resprouting and its impact on hardwood seedling development within harvests protected by slash walls.Assess changes in slash wall dimensions and estimate wood volume in slash walls.Intended Outcomes and ImpactsThe outcomes and impacts of this project are highly relevant. Most if not all forestry organizations are supportive of the Restore NY Woodlands initiative, focused on deer impacts, interfering vegetation, and non-regenerative logging.Outcomes - 1. Document a novel practice to control deer impacts, evaluate barriers to seedling success, feasibility of organic beech control, and slash wall longevity. 2. Document financial models for slash wall establishment. 3. Increase awareness among the majority of practicing foresters in the state and among loggers in the east-central Finger Lakes region.Impacts - 1. Stakeholders will have a cost-effective and ecologically sensitive practice to control the deer impacts to assure quality forest regeneration. This is the single-most significant problem facing the sustainability of eastern hardwood forests. 2. Cornell University will gain stature among these stakeholders for its land grant role in practical and applied forestry research.Intended BeneficiariesThe primary beneficiaries are woodland owners and foresters in NY and the eastern hardwood forest region. They will have access to a practice that allows them to effectively control deer without the burdens of existing "best" practices. The forest products industry will have a feasible tool to ensure sustainability. Harvesting can happen with confidence that the forest resource is sustained. Loggers receive primary benefits because when forester and woodland owners include slash wall provisions in contracts, the loggers will know how to construct the wall and have economic guidelines for expected costs. Secondary audiences include CCE educators, MFO volunteers, and agency staff all of whom work with the primary audiences. To the extent slash walls are adopted, the costs of regenerative forest practices will be reduced and more efficient, resulting in benefits of biodiversity, desired forest age-structures, and landscape resource patterns that support an array of ecosystem services.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
123	0620	1070	100%

Knowledge Area
123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0620 - Broadleaf forests of the North;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;

Keywords

forest regeneration

deer impacts

slash wall

interfering vegetation

competing vegetation

deer browsing

silviculture

hardwood seedlings

Goals / Objectives
Research ObjectivesResearch objectives are based on published research, our experiences, and interactions with the ForestConnect forest vegetation management network of practitioners and extension audiences. The research objectives connect directly to extension objectives. Pilot research plots were established in select areas for initial assessments of the effectiveness of the slash wall and changes in the attributes of slash wall. All pilot plot observations support the hypothesis of slash wall effectiveness, but require a more robust investigation to fully assess this strategy.Evaluate the ability of slash wall to protect hardwood seedlings from deer and slash-wall-induced changes in wildlife habitat.Identify barriers to hardwood regeneration within the slash wall.Evaluate beech resprouting and its impact on hardwood seedling development within harvests protected by slash walls.Assess changes in slash wall dimensions over time, and estimate the wood volume in slash walls.Extension ObjectivesThis proposal documents the research associated with the slash wall project. Although extension objectives are not required, the project is integrated. Extension objectives are provided to demonstrate the interaction of applied research and extension, and the depth of capacity to extend research results.The extension objectives are based on preliminary interactions with stakeholders and will build upon the knowledge created through integration with the research objectives. Extension audiences that include woodland owners, foresters, loggers, state forestry agencies, federal forestry agencies, students, NGOs, and industry have been engaged in preliminary efforts to increase awareness. The overwhelming majority are excited by this novel practice and eager for additional validation and documentation.Increase awareness and knowledge among foresters, loggers and woodland ownersconcerning the benefits and application of slash walls.Create educational resources that document methods, cost, and effectiveness, and validate slash walls as a method that is legitimate for cost-share funding under the federal farm bill.

Project Methods
With help from a research technician, we will complete research objectives 1 - 4 using standard inventory practices. Methods used will be statistically rigorous.Research Objective 1: Evaluate the ability of slash wall to protect hardwood seedlings from deer and slash-wall-induced changes in wildlife habitat.We have developed and validated AVID as a field sampling protocol to monitor the impacts of deer on woody vegetation (Sullivan, Smallidge, and Curtis 2016). AVID plots are six feet in radius and subjectively located to include species targeted to assess the impacts of deer. Species selected are representative of woody seedlings that are either palatable and/or undesirable to deer. Plots are selected to include at least 3 to 7 stems of the desired species, potentially multiple species. Of the target species present, 3 to 7 stems of good vigor and at least 4 inches tall are tagged with a plastic numbered band and measured for height. A plot array contains cumulatively 30 stems of the target tree species across 5 sub-plots, usually confined to an area of less than 0.25 acres.Plot arrays have been established using fenced/unfenced pairs of plots in two of the four 2017 slash wall harvest areas. Unfenced plot arrays have been established in the remaining two slash walls. Approximately 10 fenced and unfenced plot arrays (20 total) will be established for a database of height-growth response of seedlings. A portion of the new plot arrays will be located in harvested areas adjacent to, but outside the slash walls. These areas had similar silvicultural treatment but are not enclosed by the slash; they serve as a control to the primary experimental treatment.Each year of the project, usually in late summer or early fall, the AVID plot arrays will be visited and the tagged seedlings will be measured for height. Treatment factors include: year, slash wall, fence, and species. Response variables include seedling height. Data analysis will evaluate total height and proportional changes in height growth. Analyses will incorporate the repeated measurements of the tagged seedlings and account for the original size of the seedlings at the time the plots were established.Motion-sensitive and time-lapse cameras will be positioned strategically at and within slash walls. These cameras will be used with bait to assess whether deer have entered the slash wall, and to document other wildlife that use the slash wall. Time-lapse cameras will provide data on the rate of seasonal and annual change in the structure of vegetation relative to scaled bench marks located inside and outside the slash walls.Research Objective 2: Identify barriers to hardwood regeneration within the slash wall.To characterize the regenerative capacity of the harvested area, standard forest regeneration mil-acre plots (i.e., 3.7-foot radius) will be established at a density of at least one per acre, or a minimum of 30 per harvest. Plots will exclude skid trails and substrates not conducive to seedling establishment and growth (e.g., rocky outcrops, ponded depressions). Plots will be characterized by soil type, residual overstory basal area, amount of slash, and distance from a wall. To determine if machine activity near the wall impacts seedling establishment and development, a series of plots will be located parallel to and 45 ft distant from the slash wall. Other plots inside the wall, and protected plots outside the wall will serve as controls. In each plot, seedlings greater than 6" tall will be recorded annually by species, height class, and type of origin (i.e., sprout vs. advance regeneration vs. new seedling). The height and species of the tallest woody stems of sprout and seed origin will be annually recorded. Percent cover of herbaceous broadleaf plants, grasses, and ferns will be annually recorded.To assess the impacts of interfering vegetation on the development of desirable species in the absence of deer, undesired species (e.g., beech, fern, Rubus) will be mechanically removed from one-third of the regeneration plots in each harvest area. Removal treatments will occur at least annually, but may be applied twice per year to allow for freedom of growth from desired species. If necessary, undesired species may be micro-selectively treated with a glyphosate-based herbicide. Height growth of seedlings in the presence and absence of interfering vegetation will be compared.Soil compaction is typically lowest under mechanized systems with forwarders (Bustos and Egan 2011), but because of the novelty of the slash wall strategy we will measure compaction at four locations and averaged for each milacre plot. Measurements will be made with a commercially available soil compaction meter in the initial and final year of the project. Seedling height growth (Ponder 2008) will be analyzed as a function of soil compaction and other biological factors. Soil compaction will also be measured on a grid of points proximate to the walls, in the interior of the harvest area, and in nearby forest areas that have not been harvested.To characterize wildlife habitat in the harvest area, the previously described data on percent cover will be augmented with the diameter of the largest piece of slash. Subcanopy or slash perches above the height of the regeneration and herbaceous layer within approximately a 0.25-acre plot (58.9 foot radius) will be enumerated by type.Research Objective 3: Evaluate beech resprouting and its impact on hardwood seedling development within harvests protected by slash walls.To characterize beech response to "mowing" by the timber harvesting equipment, we will assess sprout response with these procedures:(i) Scout harvest areas to identify beech sprouts. Subjectively establish mil-acre plots in areas with beech sprouts. Record stump density, stump diameter, stump height, sprout presence, and annual sprout height. Percent cover of herbaceous broadleaf plants, grasses, and ferns will be annually recorded. Residual overstory basal area will be recorded when plots are established.(ii) In areas inventoried by point sampling within the 2019 harvests and marked with a plastic stake, we will systematically establish 4 mil-acre plots at each inventory point and record beech stump density, stump diameter, stump height, sprout presence, and sprout height. Percent cover of herbaceous broadleaf plants, grasses, and ferns will be annually recorded. To augment the mil-acre plot data, at the 2019 harvest points we will tag and follow sprout development from up to 100 beech stumps.(iii) Within the beech mil-acre plots mentioned above, we will tag and annually monitor desirable hardwood seedlings using the AVID protocol.Research Objective 4: Assess changes in slash wall dimensions and estimate wood volume in slash walls.We will continue annual measurement of the 2017 slash walls for their total height, height to highest 2" diameter slash, and effective width. These measurements are taken at permanently marked sample points using a digital laser range finder/clinometer.Based on the variation observed in samples during 2017, we will calculate the sample size necessary to allow for statistically robust measurement of the walls created in 2019. The variables describe above for the 2017 walls will be reapplied to the 2019 slash walls.Prior to the 2019 harvests, we collected point-sample data by forest type. During the harvest, we estimated slash volume and time of construction by forest type. We will use these data to estimate the variability in cost per foot based on the effects that stand attributes (i.e., species, structure, and stem quality) and forest type had on the construction of the slash wall. The cost estimates will allow for future estimation of wall construction costs, and off-sets in the value of low-grade slash excluded from markets.

Progress 10/01/20 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary audience includes woodland owners, foresters, loggers, state forestry agencies, federal agricultural and forestry agencies, students, NGOs, academics and industry. All marketing efforts and educational resources are designed and intended to be broadly distributed. All events and interactions are intended to be accommodating to all people of any background. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Oct 1, 2020 - Sept 30, 2021 Stakeholders were engaged in multiple venues (detailed elsewhere in this report): Field tours were offered only in September due to restrictions of meeting during the pandemic. The event included 54 participants representing woodlot owners, foresters, loggers, agency personnel, and academics from NY, PA, MA, OH, MI On-site educational assistance was provided to Herm Ek (Oakham, MA), Andy Hubbard (CT), Alex Amendola (CT), and Pavel Pluhar (West Point USMA). Guided tours at the Arnot Forest for SUNY ESF research faculty, and Luca Pandolfi of Eterna Green Energy. In-service training was provided to NY Soil and Water Conservation District staff via webinar and in-person sessions. Seven webinars related to slash walls, forest regeneration and treatment of interfering vegetation were given to lay and professional audiences. A total of 1096 stakeholders participated. In-person presentations were given to NE extension foresters, SWCD staff and woodland owners. A total of 87 participated. Publications related to the topic were published through the scientific journal Forest Ecology and Management, Forest Resources Association quarterly news, and in review at USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. Pictures of slash walls were provided for a Purdue University publication about methods to control deer impacts. Publications and products useful for professional development have been cited elsewhere in this report. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The slash wall project team includes three people, two based on campus and one regional extension forester. This network engages in professional development in-services, workshops, conferences, applied research, demonstration sites, online courses, webinars, peer-peer volunteer training, written publications, and social media. These venues allow specialists and county educators to deliver the appropriate content through the appropriate channel to the target audience. State and county educators are part of a variety of advisory groups, professional societies, and monitor internet social media. We strive to identify new avenues to communicate, especially to underrepresented audiences. Through these various networks, we work to ensure that we are providing educational resources to communities of interest. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to provide support to county extension educators and stakeholder groups through traditional venues once COVID restrictions are removed, and more fully develop on online learning and webinar technology.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Slash Wall Objective /Actions and Outputs 1. Research - Evaluate the ability of slash wall to protect hardwood seedlings from deer and slash-wall-induced changes in wildlife habitat. ** Approximately 30 stems of 3 species were tagged in multiple unprotected plots within slash walls and monitored annually for height. This protocol was repeated inside fenced plots inside the slash walls. This array of paired plots was replicated outside of slash walls. Seedling height growth was similar for fenced and unfenced seedlings inside the walls, and greater than unprotected seedlings outside the walls. Repeated measures of these plots continued through fy2021 and statistical analysis of results validated the ability of slash walls to exclude deer. 2. Research - Identify barriers to hardwood regeneration within the slash wall. ** Some permanent plots have high levels of fast growing early successional species that shade the development of commercially important species. A portion of plots with established but suppressed seedlings will be treated with removal of the non-commercial canopy to assess growth of desired species. This weeding treatment was ineffective and resulted in rapid regrowth of cut stems. **Subsequent research with state funding was initiated to experimentally test the factors of residual canopy basal area, residual understory removal, and slash wall height. Walls will be constructed in winter of 2021-2022 as part of the "Firebreak Harvest." 3. Research - Evaluate beech resprouting and its impact on hardwood seedling development within harvests protected by slash walls. ** The heights of seedlings in permanent plots inside and outside the slash walls were annually measured, and characterized as presumptively vegetative or seed origin. ** Seedling heights for most species were taller inside than outside the slash walls. ** Beech seedling heights for vegetative sprouts (multiple or clustered) inside slash walls, were less than or equal to the heights of other species. Beech seedling heights for stems of unknown origin were as tall or taller than the heights of desired hardwoods. **Deer impacts seemingly favor the dominance of beech over other species. 4. Research - Assess changes in slash wall dimensions over time, and estimate the wood volume in slash walls. ** Monitoring continued on the walls established in 2017. Monitoring was initiated on two walls established in 2019 and 3 demonstration patch-cut walls established in 2019. Slumping of height on the slash walls established in 2017 averaged 8-14% per year which reduced height annually by approximately 37 cm (14.5 inches). The wall width was unchanged. The walls remain an effective barrier to deer, with no regular maintenance, after 4 growing seasons. Construction guidelines were modified to encourage walls to be at least 10 ft tall to a two-inch diameter branch. 1. Extension - Increase awareness and knowledge among foresters, loggers and woodland ownersconcerning the benefits and application of slash walls. ** Project team met with owners and managers on multiple occasions (see below) to assess slash wall feasibility, share experiences with creating slash walls, and discussing strategies to create the slash wall. ** Stakeholders were engaged in multiple venues (detailed elsewhere in this report): Field tours were offered only in September due to restrictions of meeting during the pandemic. The event included 54 participants representing woodlot owners, foresters, loggers, agency personnel, and academics from NY, PA, MA, OH, MI On-site educational assistance was provided to Herm Ek (Oakham, MA), Andy Hubbard (CT), Alex Amendola (CT), and Pavel Pluhar (West Point USMA). Guided tours at the Arnot Forest for SUNY ESF research faculty, and Luca Pandolfi of Eterna Green Energy. In-service training was provided to NY Soil and Water Conservation District staff via webinar and in-person sessions. Seven webinars related to slash walls, forest regeneration and treatment of interfering vegetation were given to lay and professional audiences. A total of 1096 stakeholders participated. In-person presentations were given to NE extension foresters, SWCD staff and woodland owners. A total of 87 participated. Publications related to the topic were published through the scientific journal Forest Ecology and Management, Forest Resources Association quarterly news, and in review at USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. Pictures of slash walls were provided for a Purdue University publication about methods to control deer impacts. 2. Extension - Create educational resources that document methods, cost, and effectiveness, and validate slash walls as a method that is legitimate for cost-share funding under the federal farm bill. ** Resources are accumulated at www.slashwall.info (AKA http://blogs.cornell.edu/slashwall/blog/) Resources developed and referenced in the "resources" section of this report include: high-quality video, multiple webinars to numerous audiences, slide sets of presentations, a library of slash wall photos, and fact sheets. The primary resource was a peer-reviewed publication that documented the effectiveness and costs for slash wall construction. This publication in the journal Forest Ecology and Management establishes the credibility of the technology and increases state and federal agency endorsement.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Curtis, P. D., K. L. Sullivan, P. Smallidge and J. Hurst. 2021. AVID: A rapid method for assessing deer browsing of hardwood regeneration. Forest Ecology & Management. Volume 497(2021) 119534 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119534
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2021 Citation: Chedzoy, B.J. and P.J. Smallidge. In review. Forest vegetation management  a matrix of options. Northern Hardwoods Conference 2021  Expanded Abstract.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Smallidge, P., J., B. Chedzoy, J., P. Curtis, D. and K. Sims. 2021. Evaluating the construction and effectiveness of slash walls at the perimeter of regeneration harvests to exclude deer. Forest Ecology & Management. 497 (2021) 119529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119529
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Smallidge, P.J. 2021. To cut or not to cut  tree selection in a harvest. New York Forest Owner 59(3):6-9
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2021 Citation: Chedzoy, B.J. and P.J. Smallidge in review. Best practices for the establishment of forest regeneration slash walls.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary audience includes woodland owners, foresters, loggers, state forestry agencies, federal agricultural and forestry agencies, students, NGOs, and industry. All marketing efforts and educational resources are designed and intended to be broadly distributed. All events and interactions are intended to be accommodating to all people of any background. Changes/Problems:The restrictions associated with COVID have limited our ability to interact with stakeholders in the field. We have made effective use of digital technology to share updates. We have held in-field events, but of limited scope. We will proceed with virtual resources, and re-engage in person as soon as possible. Changes in collaborators: Bob 'Obrien retired and has been replaced by Brad Finegan. Logistics and markets has limited involvement of Jeff Tilley and Doug Little. New cooperators include: Dr. Jeff Ward, Connecticut Agricultural Research Station. Marc Tremblay, Rhode Island Forest Conservatory Organization. Keith Konen, Silviculturalist USFS Huron-Manistee National Forest, MI. Steven Roberge University of New Hampshire and Steven Junkin Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Laura Kenefic USFS Acadian Research Station, ME. Akihiro Koyama,Assistant Professor,Department of Forestry,Michigan State University. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Stakeholders were engaged in multiple venues (detailed elsewhere in this report): Field tours were offered in February, July, August, and September to woodlot owners, foresters, loggers and agency personnel from NY, PA, RI, CT and VT. There were approximately 115 participants. Field assessments were made in July and August to assess the feasibility of slash walls on private property. Participants included the woodland owners, private foresters, state agency foresters and the NY NRCS forester. Webinars were given in March, May and September to the full range of stakeholders. A total of 619 stakeholders participated. In-person presentations were given in December, February and March to NE extension foresters, SWCD staff and woodland owners. A total of 140 participated. Publications related to the topic were published through the NY Forest Owner magazine and as ForestConnect fact sheets. A promotional video was professional created through Cornell CALS Media Services and posted on the project website www.slashwall.info How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The slash wall project team includes three people, two based on campus and one regional extension forester. This network engages in professional development in-services, workshops, conferences, applied research, demonstration sites, online courses, webinars, peer-peer volunteer training, written publications, and social media. These venues allow specialists and county educators to deliver the appropriate content through the appropriate channel to the target audience. State and county educators are part of a variety of advisory groups, professional societies, and monitor internet social media. We strive to identify new avenues to communicate, especially to underrepresented audiences. Through these various networks, we work to ensure that we are providing educational resources to communities of interest. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to provide support to county extension educators and stakeholder groups through traditional venues once COVID restrictions are removed, and more fully develop on online learning and webinar technology.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Impact - (issue) The over-browsing of native vegetation by deer has impeded the success of forest regeneration efforts. In conjunction with regeneration-scale forest harvesting, substantial walls of slash were piled at the perimeter as a barrier to exclude deer. This novel tactic requires research evaluation of effectiveness and extension of knowledge to stakeholders. (actions) Permanent monitoring plots were established inside four slash walls created in 2017 and additional permanent monitoring plots were established inside three slash walls created in 2019/20. Permanent monitoring plots were established in unprotected control areas. Vegetation and habitat were measured annually to document whether slash walls exclude deer and to characterize vegetation dynamics in the absence of deer. Key partners visited the slash walls to learn about how this technology could be used to support sustainable, diverse and productive woodland vegetation. Extension efforts were focused on creating awareness and helping early adopters overcome barriers to implementation. Outcomes of these efforts for fy2020 include: An 86% increase in awareness and 94% increase in knowledge among exit survey respondents of a webinar about the slash wall project that reached 287 participants who own or annually manage 22.7 million acres of forest land. Three additional webinars on topics relevant to forest regeneration topics included an average of 277 participants impacting 21.8 million acres. Awareness increased among 79% of exit survey respondents and 87% reported knowledge increased from these webinars. A logger who had seen the slash walls self-initiated to create a slash wall on private property in Tioga County New York A forester and logger who learned about slash walls created a demonstration-scale slash wall through the Rhode Island Forest Conservators Organization. NRCS supported for the slash wall in Rhode Island (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ri/newsroom/features/?cid=NRCSEPRD1687641), and there is strong conceptual support by NRCS in New York. A forester who learned about slash walls created a demonstration-scale slash wall in New Hampshire. Initiation of a slash wall research project through the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Statements of intent or significant interest by NYS DEC, USFS-Green Mountain National Forest & Finger Lakes National Forest, and at least three private woodland owners in NY. Initiating internal discussion for establishing slash walls and supporting slash wall research at USFS Huron Manistee National Forest Slash Wall Objective Actions and Outputs 1. Research - Evaluate the ability of slash wall to protect hardwood seedlings from deer and slash-wall-induced changes in wildlife habitat. ** Approximately 30 stems of 3 species were tagged in multiple unprotected plots within slash walls and monitored annually for height. This protocol was repeated inside fenced plots inside the slash walls. This array of paired plots was replicated outside of slash walls. Seedling height growth was similar for fenced and unfenced seedlings inside the walls, and greater than unprotected seedlings outside the walls. ** Monitoring of deer presence by snow/mud tracking and motion-sensitive cameras revealed high levels of integrity of slash walls to exclude deer. There was one instance of a breech by one deer in fy2020. ** Motion sensitive cameras captured imagery of all mammals excluding those common to streams and ponds (e.g., mink, otter). Plant species characteristic of early successional habitat (e.g., pin cherry, blackberry, aspen, paper birch) we common to the majority of permanent sample points. Most sample plots had coarse woody debris. 2. Research - Identify barriers to hardwood regeneration within the slash wall. ** Some permanent plots have high levels of fast growing early successional species that shade the development of commercially important species. A portion of plots with established but suppressed seedlings will be treated with removal of the non-commercial canopy to assess growth of desired species. 3. Research - Evaluate beech resprouting and its impact on hardwood seedling development within harvests protected by slash walls. ** The heights of seedlings in permanent plots inside and outside the slash walls were annually measured, and characterized as presumptively vegetative or seed origin. ** Seedling heights for most species were taller inside than outside the slash walls. ** Beech seedling heights inside slash walls, aggregated for origin type, were less than or equal to the heights of other species. However, beech seedling height outside the wall was equal or greater than most other species. Deer impacts seemingly favor the dominance of beech over other species. 4. Research - Assess changes in slash wall dimensions over time, and estimate the wood volume in slash walls. ** Monitoring continued on the walls established in 2017. Monitoring was initiated on two walls established in 2019 and 3 demonstration patch-cut walls established in 2019. Slumping of height on the 2017 walls averaged 25-30% after 3 growing seasons. The wall width was unchanged. The walls remain an effective barrier to deer, with no regular maintenance, after 4 growing seasons. 1. Extension - Increase awareness and knowledge among foresters, loggers and woodland ownersconcerning the benefits and application of slash walls. ** Project team met with owners and managers on multiple occasions (see below) to assess slash wall feasibility, share experiences with creating slash walls, and discussing strategies to create the slash wall. 2. Extension - Create educational resources that document methods, cost, and effectiveness, and validate slash walls as a method that is legitimate for cost-share funding under the federal farm bill. ** Resources are accumulated at www.slashwall.info (AKA http://blogs.cornell.edu/slashwall/blog/) Resources developed during the first year of the project, and referenced in the "resources" section of this report include: high-quality video, multiple webinars to numerous audiences, slide sets of presentations, a library of slash wall photos, and fact sheets.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Smallidge, P.J. and B.J. Chedzoy. 2019. (abstract) Slash Walls: Effective Limitation of Deer Impacts to Hardwood Regeneration. Society of American Foresters, National Conference Presentation, Louisville, KY, November 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Chedzoy, B.J. and P.J. Smallidge. 2019. (abstract) Slash Walls: Contracts, Costs and Harvesting Systems to Limit Deer Impact to Regeneration. Society of American Foresters, National Conference Presentation, Louisville, KY, November 3, 2019.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Smallidge, P.J. 2019. The benefit of markets for managing low-grade trees. New York Forest Owner 57(6): 6-7, 18-19. Reprinted in Cornells Small Farms Quarterly winter 2020.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: P Curtis, P Smallidge, B Blossey, K. Sullivan. 2020. Protecting the Future Health of Forests in New York State. Scientia, 2020, DOI: https://doi.org/10.33548/SCIENTIA501.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Smallidge, P.J. and B.J. Chedzoy. 2020. How much is enough?  Assessing the success of hardwood regeneration. New York Forest Owner 58(1):6-7, 18-19
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Smallidge, P.J. 2019. Treatment of single stems of undesired woody plants. New York Forest Owner 57(4):6-7, 18-19, 23.