Promote drought and heat-tolerant species: Promote adapted trees in spruce-fir forests

Adaptation type

Land and forest stewardship or restoration

Adaptation strategy

Promote drought and heat-tolerant species.

Forests are likely to experience increased temperature and decreased moisture conditions as the climate changes. Therefore, it is important to promote species that are well adapted to these new conditions.

Action

Promote adapted trees in spruce-fir forests
Spruce-fir is a very vulnerable habitat in Massachusetts. If you have spruce-fir forest on northern, cooler slopes, work to reduce stressors, such as invasive plants and insects, and consider turning the area into a patch reserve with the goal of maintaining this forest type. If you have spruce-fir forest on southern, warmer sites, promote species that are comparatively better adapted to the changing climate, such as northern hardwood species.