• Perry, Thomas
  University of Maine Graduate School
  

The likelihood of windthrow or windsnap occurring in a forest stand includes numerous factors; however, past research suggests that these factors can be grouped into four broad categories: regional climate, topographic exposure, soil properties and stand characteristics are most commonly and easily modified through forest management. Vulnerability to wind damage in Maine, may increase in the future because of three trends influencing stand conditions. One, Maine forests contain a considerable amount of balsam fir and red spruce, tree species that are considered particularly susceptible to wind damage. Two, extensive areas regenerated after the 1970's and 1980's era spruce budworm outbreak are maturing. Three, partial removals currently account for over 74 percent of the area harvested annually in the state (McWilliams et al, 2005)