My forest lacks herbaceous vegetation on the forest floor. How can I encourage more understory growth?
To stimulate the growth of more understory plants, you need more light. To accomplish this, a thinning of the forest canopy is needed to allow more sunlight to hit the forest floor. Contact your DNR forester for information on thinning. General information is also available at http://ohioline.osu.edu/for-fact/0050.html 4. I am interested in planting trees and shrubs for wildlife. The state nursery located at www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/nursery has a list of deciduous and coniferous trees available for purchase as well as information on planting incentive programs. The list contains a handy key indicating which trees are the best for wildlife habitats. Also see FS 759, www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publication.cfm?ID=144.
