Dieback Not a Cause of Mortality or Reduction of Growth or Quality in Lake States Northern Hardwoods

Widespread dieback, particularly of sugar maple and yellow birch, has been observed for more than a decade in the Lake States. All northern hardwoods are affected to varying degrees; most damage occurs in the larger and older trees in the stand; dieback is cyclic to some extent; and practically no mortality or growth loss occurs. Several causes were identified, with poor internal soil drainage and stand disturbance the major causes; porcupine and sapsucker girdling, late frosts, and pathogenic organisms were involved to a lesser extent.