Journal Article:  Understanding Passive Forest Management on Family Forest Owned Land In New England to Further Ecological Forestry 

Some landowners make an intentional decision to adopt a passive forest management approach on some or all of their land. Even if you choose to take a passive approach in your forest, it will continue to change. It will grow and develop. Some trees will get bigger. Other trees will die.  Distrubances such as wind, ice, and insects will shape the forest. Given enough time, a forest may grow and develop into an old forest, with characteristics that parallel old growth forests. Old forests have a species composition and structure that is different than forests of a younger age, for example, the presence of large, down logs. Old forests mimc old-growth forest characteristics, an important and lacking habitat in our current Massachusetts landscapes. Learn more about restoring old-growth characteristics to your woods.

It's important to note that challenges such as invasive plants and deer herbivory may impact your forest in ways that prevent it from obtaining the end point you desire. If you choose the passive forest management approach, prioritize areas with little to no challenges or be willing to accept the direction your forest moves.

The landscape your forest lies in is also constantly changing. Other landowners around you may harvest. A neighbor down the road may sell his land for development. Each day landowners around you make decisions which affect the landscape in which you live. Even if you do nothing, the context around your land is changing. With each change in the landscape, your property takes on a new role.