Clear Cut in Hiawatha, Fall 2002
UPDATE: With many thanks Robert Froese, PhD, of the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, I have some more information about this photo. Robert said:
"The fern in your photo is most likely bracken fern. It's very common in dry forest types in Michigan, and this particular species is not a deep shade plant. You can find more about bracken here: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/pw/Pteaqu.shtml
"Clearcutting on the Hiawatha was probably in jack pine. This species only regenerates in full sunlight, so either we clearcut or we wait for a wildfire. The Michigan DNR manages jack pine across the landscape to provide adequate habitat for Kirtland's Warbler ... a species of bird that needs forests of a particular age."
Thanks for all of the comments on this photo and I really appreciate Robert's excellent explanation of what is going on.