A 39 year old Black Spruce Plantation and the Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi

[@loggingroadking93]

Thanks Kevin. I just drove through an area that had been recently logged and noticed that they left a lot more mature trees. Now I know why. I have a great thirst for knowledge about the forest that I live in and find very little on video. Cheers from northeastern Ontario.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the comment. The trees are left for wildlife but we are learning that they also help retain mycorrhizae on the site.

[@loggingroadking93]

Yeah I heard they were left for the big birds, eagles, hawks, etc.

[@beingaware8542]

"If only humanity did that" so true. what a brilliant person. thanks for this video!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the comment. You are welcome!

[@toni-lynnmarcoux]

Another great video kevin, thank you for always keeping us educated and informed about our Ontario Forests. I always thought that the few trees left in a clearing were for the birds of prey habitat.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Toni-Lynn, The trees are left of wildlife habitat, this mycorrhizal relationship is something we are learning. Leaving trees helps the fungi for sure.

[@Winter8R1]

Always enjoy your vides when Mac joins you Kevin. Very educational to hear the history of a forest stand from someone who was involved in the initial planning of the site.

[@KevinOutdoors]

I absolutely agree, I could listen to him for hours. So much history, I am glad I captured some of it.

[@TheFleetcaptain210]

Great video Kevin! Thank you Malcolm for sharing your experiences and history from Ontario's near past. It is fascinating hearing about what was done then and how it became a foundation for today.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for your comment. This is a bit of history in a time capsule for the future.

[@Woodswalker1965]

I love it when a good plan comes together!😀 I enjoyed hearing the backstory on that stand and the innovations that were implemented. Take care buddy👍

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Wade. I always enjoy my day trips out to the forest with Mac.

[@AJKPenguin]

Brilliant landscaping. The wisdom here, from this man, Mac, is phenomenal. Here's to the late Roy for throwing out the idea to keep some residual trees. : ) Forget about going to university while he is alive. You could get a doctorate just from his work. Thank you Kevin. : )

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for that Adam. I feel lucky to be able to spend time with Mac. And I also knew and enjoyed Roy's company, he was quite the character too!

[@AJKPenguin]

@@KevinOutdoors You're most welcome : )

[@schulme123]

Thanks again, Kevin! More great knowledge and Mac is a great story teller!

[@KevinOutdoors]

You bet! Much apprecaited.

[@1967AJB]

Why do I feel like just sitting quietly at his feet and listening? Great video Kev!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Absolutely. And he does it all in one take. Thanks Andy.

[@eyetime9837]

Thank you Kevin! Such an informative video. I really appreciate the knowledge and wisdom that Mac brought to this video! Very interesting on the mycorrhizal fungi relationship to a healthy forrest.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Eyetime! Much appreciated!

[@pvesely299]

Super interesting. Malcom needs to come to Paradise,CA where I live. We had a giant fire in 2018 that burned 14,000 structures and thousands of trees. It will be many years before we have the forested town again.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Paul. Terrible to hear what happened where you are. Perhaps I need to take Mac on the road?

[@alanbierhoff6831]

Another wonderful video with Mac. He’s a great educator and a wealth of knowledge. I always learn so much from watching your videos with Mac. I call him “the Mors Kochanski of the forest” 😊 Thank you for this video

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much Alan, Mac is a wealth of knowledge and it is always a pleasure to go out to the forest with him.

[@barneyewing2664]

Very interesting to see the differences in the two stands.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Absolutely. It is very interesting how important fungi can be.

[@poodwood]

I could listen to many more of these videos

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks. We'll try and make some more.

[@ripplesandleaves]

So fascinating! Thank you so much for this.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Trythis837]

I live in Ottawa and we see a lot of drought killed trees. Most of the forests are almost completely absent of mycorrhizae mushrooms. I believe it’s a result of forests being replanted on farm land but no reintroduction of mycorrhizae fungus.

[@KevinOutdoors]

That's too bad about those trees. Mychrrhizae can certainly help trees access moisture in the soil.

[@robbiemoore7128]

this was interesting .. thanks

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ericulry4743]

Why away such great habitat for a black spruce plantation? I have a black spruce swamp essentially and I'm trying to figure out a way to convert it to exactly what this was before... any tips!?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Sorry I don't really understand your question.

[@Marco-nd1cp]

Im curious about the seed source (local genotype)for those black spruce trees or was it from cuttings?

[@KevinOutdoors]

The seed would have been from local sources. Mac and a few others were also pioneers in seedling production and getting the formula right for viable seedling stock production from nurseries.