This does not mean that the damage is necessarily fatal. Overall, the forest is in good condition. Percent of trees over 10 feet tall that die annually from all causes in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Percent of trees that become new saplings annually in the Mid-Atlantic Region. In a healthy forest you will see dead and dying trees.
Trees die as a natural part of life in the forest.
Dead and dying trees are more common in some places due to old age, poor soils, or weather extremes. Infact, having some dead trees is beneficial for wildlife habitat. No single measurement can summarize forest health. Instead, we need to look at a wide set of indicators which together serve as a reflection of existing conditions. Repeated monitoring of the forest over time allows us to identify trends in forest conditions and evaluate the effectiveness of our actions.