Geology and Forestry

Geology

Diverse Topography

Bedrock Groups:

Hamilton Group: black to blue/gray shale and thin beds of limestone 600 to 1500 ft. below surface found along both sides of Cayuga Lake.

Genesee Group:  limestone, shale, and siltstone 400 to 1,000 feet below surface.  This is the most predominant group in the country.

Sonyea Group:  Siltstone and shale found 200 to 1,000 ft. below the surface.

West Falls Group:  Shale and siltstone found 1,100 to 1,600 ft. below the surface.

Forestry

New York State is 62% forested, most of which is privately owned.  Most state and is forested.  The forests are economic resources, as well as social and environmental, and employ over 60,000 people.  They contribute $4.6 billion to the state economy each year.

Exotic Tree Diseases:

Chestnut Blight

Beech Bark

Dutch Elms Disease

Beech Bark Disease