Tag: climate

After a decade, EcoForesters is just getting started. But if you’re a white oak, your height and your likelihood of making the overstory have most likely already been decided for you. In forests, trees are in constant competition for light. When a disturbance opens the canopy, phototropic species quickly move in to claim the new territory. Once that space is filled, little sunlight reaches the forest floor–and until the next disturbance, the order is set. The trees that reach the tallest heights should have all the sun they need until they meet their demise. Those that didn’t “win” will be stunted in growth and make the most of their midstory conditions.

Post-Helene, we are witnessing a blowdown of historic proportions, including a surprising amount of oak trees. What comes back in this space depends on what species were present and what are still alive. Oaks are known for their strong roots and spend their early years growing down. This means that other species that start by growing upward have an advantage. Nature can be harsh, with brutal competition for growing space…truly survival of the fittest–or in this case, the fastest growing. Unfortunately, what grows fast is mostly non-native species or trees like maple and poplar. We don’t play favorites with healthy trees, but we do acknowledge the valuable role oaks play in the greater forested ecosystem.

What comes back on those 800,000 acres impacted by Helene will impact our region’s water, wildlife, climate, and ability to withstand future wildfires and drought. This is why EcoForesters is helping landowners by writing regeneration plans in areas disturbed by Helene. Man-made disturbances like a timber harvest can be carefully planned and executed, including accounting for future generations. Natural disasters, on the other hand, are unplanned and require planning on the backend that will call for active stewardship over the next ten years. There is much work to be done, but we have an opportunity to shape our forests as we help them recover.