Vegetation Inventory of Harvard Forest 1937

The three main tracts of the Harvard Forest (3000 acres) in Petersham, MA have been sampled every 10-30 years since 1907. Though methods have varied, each survey has involved mapping forest stands followed by intensive sampling. The 1937 forest inventory was conducted one year before 75% of the standing timber at Harvard Forest was blown down by the 1938 hurricane. This valuable data set shows maximum vegetation development since agricultural abandonment. Data collected in this inventory include tree volume by species and presence/absence of advance regeneration, shrubs, herbs and bryophytes.