AgBioResearch Fred Russ Forest

Attention: Large-scale white oak mortality at Fred Russ Research Forest

Forest health issues related to oak species were discovered at Russ Forest in July 2024 during routine forest inventory in parts of Section 20 and 29, Township 05S, Range 14W. This includes 40 acres known as Newton Woods adjacent to Marcellus Highway and within the Newton’s Woods/Russ Forest County Park.

White oak mortality is projected at 95% to 100% in these areas. There are also small groups and individual red and black oak mortality present. White oak in these areas account for 30% to 40% of the forest canopy. The dead trees (snags) average height is approximately 80 feet to 100 feet.

Potential cause of mortality:

• Oak decline is the result of multiple factors stressing the trees to the point of mortality. For more information: https://www.nps.gov/articles/oak-decline.htm
• Samples will be collected during the harvest to see if contributing factors can be identified more accurately. This information can be used to address additional forest health concerns that may arise from certain stressors.

Management:  

• MSU will remove and/or fell snags via commercial salvage harvest within Fred Russ Forest.
• Where appropriate/safe, snags or felled snags and tops may be left as wildlife habitat.
• In collaboration with Cass County Parks Department (CCPD), snags within the Newton Woods/Russ Forest County Park may be harvested as feasible.
• In collaboration with Cass County Road Commission (CCRC), snags, trees and vegetation within the right-of-way (33 feet from centerline) adjacent to Marcellus Highway and Decatur Road will be removed or harvested.
• In collaboration with the Cass County Historical Society, snags adjacent to the Newton House may be harvested as feasible.

Project Timeline: 

• Salvage operations are planned to take place from late September 2024 through April 2025.
• These areas will be closed to public access during active management and re-opened as soon as determined safe. This typically takes a couple weeks once operations start, however, it is very weather-dependent. This will happen in a progressive manner to continue providing recreational access to as much of the forest as possible.
• Trail and public access points will be restored to pre-harvest condition to ensure recreation can take place safely.

Project Purpose: 

• Improve public safety for recreational visitors (hikers, equestrian, hunters, fishers, etc.)
• Improve public safety and reduce traffic related hazards along Marcellus Highway and Decatur Road.
• Improve forest health.
• Promote research and educational opportunities.
• Capture market value of timber while reducing financial burden future cleanup efforts will create.

Post Harvest:  

• Post harvest assessments will be made to determine what action is the most appropriate moving forward.
  • Re-planting, logging slash treatment, monitoring for additional forest health concerns.

For more information or for questions, email us at for.kelloggforest@msu.edu.

Visitor Information

Fred Russ Forest has a unique quality that combines forestry research and in a setting that is also conducive to forest recreation.

Visitors to the Forest range from researchers who come to work in the old growth forest stands to college students doing independent research projects. The Forest is also welcome to casual visitors whose interests include enjoying the natural area's old growth trees and wildflowers or who are enthused about forest management. It's also the perfect place for those searching for a shady spot to enjoy a picnic lunch.

Popular Forest visitor activities include hiking, picnicking, jogging, biking, horseback riding (bring your own horse), dog walking (on a leash), bow hunting, cross country skiing and trout fishing.

There are no alcoholic beverages allowed in the forest.

Hours

The Forest is accessible to the public via foot or by non-motor vehicles. Enter via the 12-acre Cass County Roadside park, which is open daily from daylight to dusk.

Cass County Park

The 12-acre roadside park is leased to the Cass County Parks Department. Amenities include parking, bathrooms, picnic tables, grills and several shelters that can be rented for special events by calling the Cass County Parks Department at 269- 445-8611. The Parks Department also maintains forest trails that are accessible to the public for use on foot or with non-motored vehicles.

Maple Syrup Production

The Marcellus School system leases forest property on which it maintains school buildings that house over 90 high-school-age students attending the Volinia Outreach School. In the year 2000, the school constructed a maple syrup production building to tap 10 acres of forest trees to make maple syrup. Plans are to conduct sugar bush tours during school hours. For more information call the Volinia Outreach School at 269-782-9716.

Hunting

Bow hunting during deer season is allowed. There is hunting information at the forest office kiosk. Hunters are to sign in and out at the kiosk daily. Maps of the forest that indicate where hunting is permitted are displayed at the kiosk.

Fred Russ Forest Hunting and Policy and Permit Application

Natural Areas

The forest has 280 acres of MSU designated areas. Designations range from the strictest, where only walking on the paths is permitted, to areas where downed and damaged trees may be salvaged. Large, healthy mature trees are left to grow in all areas. Wildflowers are abundant in these areas. Picking or digging wildflowers is not permitted.

Of this 280 acres, 40 acres is designated as "National Nature Area" representing a virtually undisturbed mature oak-hickory forest. Another 160 acres was acquired with funds from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant program preserving large tracts of land for public use. The entire forest is open to the public with forest rules applying to all the forest land.

If you have questions, please call 269-731-4597.