North Central Research Station - Experimental Forests

Cutfoot Sioux Experimental Forest Chippewa National Forest, MN 3,106 acres, Est. 1932 Contact: Brian Palik Management of red pine/jack pine stands.

Brief introduction

The forest, established in 1932, contains about 3100 acres. The Sunken Lake Research Natural Area consisting of about 540 acres is contained within the experimental forest. The portion of Highway 46 that passes through the experimental forest is the “Avenue of Pines”. The “Avenue” is known for its scenic beauty and the outstanding pine forest. Most people that drive through the “Avenue” do not realize that it is one of the most intensively managed red pine forests in northern Minnesota. Cutfoot contains a memorial (large stone with plaque) to Rafael Zon. Zon was instrumental in establishment of the Research branch of the Forest Service, and in the designation of the first experimental forests. His ashes were scattered in the area of the memorial.

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Climate

The climate is continental. Maximum summer temperatures are 90+ °F with high humidity (80%) and minimum winter temperatures to 40°F below zero. Growing season length is 100-120 days. Annual precipitation is 20-25 inches—snow depths average 2-3 ft. Although prolonged summer droughts occur, there is usually adequate rainfall during the growing season.

Soil types

Well-drained, medium to fine sands developed in glacial outwash parent materials. The soils are typical of the natural red pine and mixed pine stands of northern Minnesota.

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Vegetation types

The major forest type, roughly 75%, is red pine (Pinus resinosa) with varying amounts of jack pine (P. banksiana) and white pine (P. strobus). Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and aspen (Populus tremuloides) are common components of the pine-dominated stands and in some places are the most dominant species.

The site index for red pine is about 55 (based on age 50 yrs). The majority of the red pine stands in the forest are natural stands. The majority of the red pine originated after a major fire in 1870. Based on fire scars, there have been 7 major fires in the forest—1865, 1870, 1876, 1888, 1892, 1898, and 1918. There are scattered red pine that are greater than 200 years old. These are remnants of the 5 and 10% reserve trees required to be left during the early logging. Plantations occupy a small percentage of the forest. The most notable areas of planted red pine are the Greely Lake and Gravel Pit stands. A major feature of the red pine in the forest is the understory comprised mainly of beaked hazel (Corylus cornuta). A major objective of the prescribed burning research conducted in the 1960’s was to reduce the density of this species and improve understory conditions for red pine regeneration.

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Long-term data bases

The most important long-term data bases are the red pine levels of growing stock study (established in 1949), red pine cutting methods study (established in 1950), and the underburning study in red pine (established in 1960). These studies are all in the 1870 origin stands. There are data available from other old studies, but those mentioned above have the best records and experimental design. All of these plots have maps showing individual tree location and provide a history of the removal of trees.

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Research – past and current

Research began in the mid-1920’s before the area was officially designated as an experimental forest in 1932. The research to date has focused almost exclusively on silviculture of the red pine type, in particular methods of thinning and intermediate cutting. There has also been some work with jack pine. There have been no new studies established on the forest in the last decade. A large study of red pine and mixed conifer regeneration and residual stand development is being established (treatment installation will occur in 2002-3) on the same site types in the vicinity of the forest.

Major research accomplishments

The major accomplishments come from the results of the three long-term studies mentioned above. These have helped to provide the basis for the silviculture of red pine in the region, in particular intermediate harvest regimes.

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Collaborators

Chippewa National Forest

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Research opportunities

There are opportunities to do additional work (e.g., describe understory, study individual tree growth) in the long-term study areas. There are no baseline plots established in the majority of the Sunken Lake Research Natural Area.

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Facilities, contact address, location

There is no on-site housing, but resorts in the area provide opportunities for short-term rentals. The nearest communities are Squaw Lake to the north and Deer River to the south. Access is via State Highway 46 from Deer River. Grand Rapids is about a 45 minute drive to the southeast (Highways U.S. 2 and State 46). There are numerous woods roads in the forest making most of the area readily accessible. The Eagle’s Nest and Third River roads provide the main access.

Contact information:
Dr. Brian Palik
USDA Forest Service
North Central Research Station
1831 Hwy. 169 E
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: 218-326-7116
Fax: 218-326-7123
e-mail: Brian Palik

USDA Forest Service - North Central Research Station
Last Modified: Thursday, 19 February 2004