Managing woodlands in the Agassiz Lowlands and Littlefork-Vermillion Uplands

The area of northern Minnesota known as the Agassiz Lowlands and Littlefork-Vermilion Uplands subsections includes all or parts of Beltrami, Clearwater, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Roseau, and St. Louis counties.

This region is shaped by the deposits from Glacial Lake Agassiz during the last glacial period. These clay-rich deposits contributed to the widespread formation of wetlands, such as lakes, bogs, and fens across the northern part of Minnesota.

Creating climate refugia

Models of the state’s future climate may not favor the survival of some species you currently see in your woods. However, that doesn’t mean these species don’t hold intrinsic ecological, cultural or economic value. You can work to retain these species in your landscape and protect them from the impacts of climate change by creating forest refugia.

Species in this region that may be most vulnerable to climate change, pests and diseases:

• Black ash (Fraxinus nigra) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) are both predicted to do well in warmer and wetter climates but are both extremely vulnerable to emerald ash borer.
  • Black ash is a cultural and ecological keystone species in northern Minnesota and is an essential part of Minnesota’s forests.  If ash is present in your woodland,  learn how you can manage ash woodlands in response to emerald ash borer.
• Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is also predicted to do well but is susceptible to Dutch elm disease. With no disease-resistant cultivars of slippery elm currently available, landowners should be cautious in choosing where to encourage this tree. 
• White spruce (Picea glauca) and Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) are predicted to be vulnerable to a changing climate in this ecoregion. These species both prefer medium to coarse, well-drained soil. Choose sites with full sun to support the establishment of seedlings.
  • For Eastern white pine, consider bud capping or adding tree tubes to protect the seedlings if local deer populations are high. You may also remove the lower branches as the white pine ages to reduce the risk of white pine blister rust. 

Regardless of which species you are managing, we encourage you to work with a natural resource professional as decisions related to climate adaptation and pest and disease management are site-specific, nuanced, and complex.

Woodlands of Minnesota Handbook

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has created a series of woodland handbooks that provide landowners with information on regional conditions, frequent challenges, and advice on setting and reaching management goals.

The Agassiz Lowlands and Littlefork-Vermilion Uplands handbook includes information on wildlife, plants, invasive species, geology, landscape, and watershed management for this special region of northern Minnesota.