Canopy and Trees

Without Worms	With Worms

(Images from UMN 2005)

The canopy is made up of the largest, most mature trees in the forest. The dominant hardwood tree species in Minnesota that usually composes the canopy are sugar Maple, Red Oak and Basswood. In smaller numbers there exist White Oak, Burr Oak, Paper Birch, Yellow Birch, Trembling Aspen, Big-toothed Aspen, Red Maple, American Elm, Red Elm, Green Ash and Bitternut Hickory. (UMN 2005)

The canopy and sub-canopy do not change much immediately after worms invade. However, regeneration is very low after the worms invade. So as the canopy and sub-canopy trees age and begin to die, it is possible there will be few, if any, younger trees to replace them. However due to lack of studying the canopy, it is unclear at this time what the exact effect will be. (UMN 2005)