McDonald Aspen Cut
A 20 acre aspen cut was done on the Elk State Forest along McDonald Run Road, an administrative road off of Dents Run Road. The area consisted of a 45-year-old aspen stand with scattered American beech, chestnut oak, white oak and ironwood. All of the aspen and beech were cut while all other species will remain.
Clear cutting aspen stimulates root and stump sprouting. With an available sunlight, soil temperature rise, allowing the aspen stumps and roots to sprout into a thicket of regeneration. American beech is being removed as it will never become a healthy tree due to beech bark disease.