Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Forest Science (PhD)

Administrative Home Department

College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Advisor 1

Tara L. Bal

Committee Member 1

Stacy Cotey

Committee Member 2

Kathryn Hofmeister

Committee Member 3

Christopher R. Webster

Abstract

Forest restoration and conservation require both practical management approaches and the preservation of biological resources that support future research. This dissertation presents applied research conducted in Michigan that advances American beech (Fagus grandifolia) restoration in response to beech bark disease (BBD) while documenting an important historical entomological resource. Chapters 1–3 focus on overcoming practical barriers to American beech restoration. Restoration protocols were developed and refined for identifying BBD-resistant trees, graft propagation, rootstock collection, container production, and the field establishment of grafted BBD-resistant trees. A greenhouse experiment evaluated the influence of growing media and fertilization on container stock quality, demonstrating significantly greater survival under liquid fertilization and improved growth in the higher peat-content medium. A field experiment demonstrated that localized root disturbance can induce root suckering in BBD-resistant American beech, supporting its potential as a targeted restoration technique while generating new hypotheses regarding the environmental conditions necessary for its successful application. The final chapter documents Michigan Technological University's historical insect collection, demonstrating its value as a regional scientific resource and providing a foundation for future biodiversity, ecological, and taxonomic research. In addition to these research chapters, the dissertation includes a beech diagnostic guide that consolidates common biotic and abiotic disorders encountered during American beech propagation and cultivation, as well as a standard operating procedure for the long-term curation and management of Michigan Technological University's insect collection. Collectively, these studies demonstrate how applied research can improve restoration practices while strengthening the scientific resources that support long-term forest conservation. Together, they provide practical guidance for land managers, nursery managers, collection curators, and researchers while contributing to the conservation of Michigan's forest ecosystems and establishing a foundation for future work in restoration ecology and forest health.

Download

Share

COinS