Grown Christmas tree production is a major research effort here, and became an important seed source to produce Christmas tree seedlings across the U.S. For several decades the initial research at Pomerene focused on Christmas tree genetic selection, as well as evaluation and production management practices. Selections from those original stands were later established at the CFAES Wooster campus and other sites where seeds are harvested. Plantings are evaluated on survival, growth, and foliage quality. Extensive studies have been carried out to develop cultural practices for high-quality trees, including weed control measures, shearing and shaping, and fertilization.

White pine – the most extensively planted species in the state – Norway and white spruces, and northern red oak are analyzed for selection, breeding, and disease and pest resistance. West Virginia seed sources of balsam fir have the potential to grow where Douglas fir and Frasier fir will not. Knowing which trees grow best in Ohio helps the reforestation efforts of scientists, forestry officials and landowners. In addition to Pomerene, tree studies are conducted at other CFAES locations, plus several state forests.

The Red Oak Ecotype study leverages historic provenance trials established at Pomerene and other forest properties from the 1960s–70s, where acorns from across the red oak range were planted in common garden experiments. By mapping seed sources and quantifying long-term variation in survival, growth, disease tolerance and phenology across ecotypes – and by linking tree-ring data to historic climate records – this research aims to provide critical insight into the adaptive capacity of red oaks. Findings will inform reforestation, restoration, and assisted migration strategies that enhance the ecological resilience and economic value of Ohio’s forests under changing climatic conditions.

At Pomerene, and other CFAES forest sites, faculty are evaluating relationships between plant and bird communities from a functional perspective by examining the traits and processes that sustain ecosystem interactions in forests. This approach allows them to understand the mechanistic cascading effects of forest change on dependent organisms, helping to identify which forests are a priority for conservation or restoration intervention. To support this work, permanent plots at Pomerene have been established. Researchers have conducted vegetation inventories, monitored bird composition and abundance over multiple summers.

The efforts at Pomerene have restored more than 10 acres of native riparian vegetation, and provided baseline data on the direct impacts of invasive removal for flooding and water quality. This data is used to develop models for assessing downstream flood mitigation impacts connected with upstream restoration. By engaging land managers throughout the restoration process and utilizing generated data to develop accessible extension materials, the work done at Pomerene aims to establish the site as a regional flagship for best management practice in riparian restoration. Although riparian ecosystems have a relatively small landscape footprint, they play a major functional role in the hydrologic cycle at both local and regional scales.

Research is being conducted at Pomerene on constructing artificial dens of multiple designs and monitoring them with trail cameras. If bobcats successfully use the dens, they plan to construct more of them in the surrounding area to help promote the recovery of this ecologically important carnivore. Availability of suitable denning sites might be a limiting resource for bobcats in otherwise suitable habitat. Historically, large hollow logs and trees would have been a primary source of denning sites for bobcats, but young forests often lack these resources.