We examined effects such a disturbance might have on the epigeal fauna of sugar maple stands during the summers of 19. Increased irradiation in the understory may alter edaphic parameters of affected forests, such as temperature and humidity. The 1998 ice storm led to significant tree crown loss in the deciduous forests of southwestern Quebec. Key words: allometric equation, branch basal diameter, DBH, ice damage, leaf area, leaf biomass, sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) Leaf biomass-DBH equations for the two stands were significantly different ( P < 0.0001), while no significant difference was detected in the leaf biomass-number of branches equations ( P = 0.1573) for the two stands. The resulting equations accounted for over 90% of the variation in leaf biomass of individual trees. These equations were applied to estimate total leaf biomass of individual trees, and the resulting estimates were used to develop equations predicting leaf biomass from DBH and the number of branches per tree. Samples were used to develop equations predicting leaf biomass (oven-dried weight) of individual branches from their basal diameter. In addition, foliage was collected from two branches (one from the lower and one from the upper part of each tree's crown). Basal diameter of all third-order branches of 22 trees from two stands was measured, along with tree DBH, total height, and height to the base of live crown. The data were collected in early to mid-August 2000 in eastern Ontario. Equations were developed to predict leaf biomass of undamaged individual sugar maple trees in the ice-damaged area. Foliage biomass and foliage area estimates were required to assess effects of the ice storm and remedial treatments on variables related to sugar maple production. In January 1998, an extensive ice storm caused severe damage to sugar bushes in Eastern Ontario. Key words: ice storm, decay, fungi, beetle However, thinning of the canopy from ice damage could cause increased infestation by these insects. Bark beetles (scolytidae) and wood-borers (buprestidae and cerambycidae), which attack damaged trees in northeastern North America are normally secondary invaders. Fungi of the genera Ophiostoma, Ceratocystis and Ceratocystiopsis (blue stains) can cause significant staining to standing timber in damaged softwood stands however, these fungi do not cause structural damage. However, sunscald is common in sugar maple stands with damaged crowns, sometimes resulting in infection by the sap rot fungus Cerrena unicolor. Stem damage is not usual after ice storms. However, in branch stubs with a diameter of less than 7.5 cm, decay progresses to only a limited degree. Damage to large branches or to the main stem can result in heartwood decay, particularly in older or less healthy trees. A potential long-term threat to ice-damaged forests exists from decays, stains, and wood-boring insects.
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