The development of forest islands in exurban central New Yorks State

Onondaga County in central New York State was extensively cleared for agricultural use, so that by 1930 only 8% of the area maintained small and highly fragmented forest islands. Subsequent natural re-forestation in exurban parts of the county increased the forest cover to 40% of the total land area by 1980. New stands formed around many residual forest islands, and natural reforestation often consolidated two or more small parcels previously separated by open fields. At present, some forests cover as much as 3000 ha each, and even-aged stands less than 50 years old make up 80% of the total forest area. These stands are generally devoid of appreciable woody understory vegetation, and have an elevated and tight crown canopy. Three species composition is less diverse than in the residual islands which were never cleared for protracted agricultrual use.