Help Keep the Spotted Lanternfly Out of Bradford County!
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The BCCD forestry mission is to ensure the long-term health, viability, and productivity of Bradford County’s forests.
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Our district forestry is ready to assist you with all your forest needs. Did you know?
Bradford County is part of the Loyalsock State Forest which also includes parts of Sullivan and Lycoming County and spans 114.552 acres. The forest contains our northern tier's "Endless Mountains" region and consists primarily of northern hardwoods forest type. |
Forestry StaffForestry Resources |
Current Threats to Our PA Forests
Emerald ash borer damage on the stump of a once large Ash tree in Bradford County.
In recent years, among the various pests and diseases impacting our Commonwealth forests, some have been found to be more detrimental in terms of defoliation and mortality, such as:
Oaks are particularly vulnerable to spongy moth defoliation and oak wilt, while beech bark disease poses a growing threat to the beech population. The significant threat lies in the face that oaks and beeches are among the primary sources of hard mast for wildlife since the decline of the American chestnut.
Moreover, the hemlock woolly adelgid, introduced in 1967, is progressively spreading westward, impacting Pennsylvania's state tree, the Eastern hemlock. Similarly, since its detection in 2007, the emerald ash borer has spread throughout most of Pennsylvania, leading to widespread ash mortality.
- Emerald ash borer
- Spongy moth (formerly gypsy moth)
- Hemlock woolly adelgid
- Beech bark disease
- Oak wilt
Oaks are particularly vulnerable to spongy moth defoliation and oak wilt, while beech bark disease poses a growing threat to the beech population. The significant threat lies in the face that oaks and beeches are among the primary sources of hard mast for wildlife since the decline of the American chestnut.
Moreover, the hemlock woolly adelgid, introduced in 1967, is progressively spreading westward, impacting Pennsylvania's state tree, the Eastern hemlock. Similarly, since its detection in 2007, the emerald ash borer has spread throughout most of Pennsylvania, leading to widespread ash mortality.
The Importance of Riparian Forest Buffers
A riparian forest buffer is an area adjacent to a stream, lake, or wetland that contains a combination of trees, shrubs, and/or other perennial plants.
There are many benefits to conserving or planting riparian forest buffers.
When it comes to designing and planning a riparian forest buffer there are some key factors affecting effectiveness.
Riparian forest buffers are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem and safeguarding our water resources. If you are interested in planting a buffer on your property, please reach out to Jennifer Johns, Natural Resource Specialist, or Adam Chorba, Forest Specialist for design, planting, and potential funding assistance!
There are many benefits to conserving or planting riparian forest buffers.
- Water Quality: Riparian buffers filter nutrients, pesticides, and animal waste from agricultural runoff, helping to improve water quality.
- Bank Stabilization: They play a crucial role in stabilizing eroding stream banks.
- Sediment Filtration: Riparian buffers filter sediment from runoff, preventing it from reaching water bodies.
- Habitat and Corridors: These areas provide shade, shelter, and food for fish and other aquatic organisms. They also create wildlife habitat and corridors for terrestrial organisms.
- Flood Protection: Riparian buffers protect downstream communities and cropland from flood damage.
- Income Diversification: In some cases, landowners can generate income from farmland within riparian buffers.
- Recreation Space: Riparian buffers can offer recreational space for people.
When it comes to designing and planning a riparian forest buffer there are some key factors affecting effectiveness.
- Site Conditions: Adjacent agricultural practices, stream size, topography, and soils impact buffer effectiveness.
- Landscape Context: Position in the watershed, adjacent land use, and buffer continuity matter.
- Other Factors: Markets, public interest, and local conditions play a role in successful riparian forest buffer implementation.
Riparian forest buffers are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem and safeguarding our water resources. If you are interested in planting a buffer on your property, please reach out to Jennifer Johns, Natural Resource Specialist, or Adam Chorba, Forest Specialist for design, planting, and potential funding assistance!
