• Nyland, Ralph D.
  SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  rnyland@syr.edu
  
• Bevilacqua, Eddie
  SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  ebevilacqua@esf.edu
  
• Kiernan, Diane
  SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  dhkeirnan@esf.edu
  

Simulation methods allow managers to forecast changes in forest conditions, including effects of management on numbers and sizes of trees, the sawtimber volume, and key attributes deemed important to wildlife. We used measurements from real stands under selection system to update an old simulator used with northern hardwoods. New growth functions allow more accurate prediction of changes in tree diameters. Others describe how many trees might die, and how many new ones regenerate. The simulator also predicts amounts and changes of seed production, coarse woody debris, crown canopy cover, and cavities in living trees. Using this simulator, managers can evaluate different treatment options for periods of 10 through 25 years. Resulting information will help them to decide how to best treat a stand to serve the interests of a landowner. It has applicability for uneven-aged northern hardwood stands throughout the Northeast.