I have grave concerns about the State Park’s proposed response to root rot among the trees. I believe the Parks are the stewards of our natural environment. They are entrusted with allowing nature to follow its natural life process and for providing public access.
Removing trees within a 50’ radius of the diseased ones is not stewardship. Instead, it sounds to me like human manipulation of the natural environment. I can appreciate the need to protect building and campsites by cutting dead trees. More extensive intervention on the forest integrity ought to be avoided.
Has human manipulation ever really improved on nature? Removing and replanting alters the ecosystem the Parks are meant to Steward.
Research by Suzanne Simard, Professor of Forest Ecology, University of British Columbia, indicates the importance of the vast networks of roots connecting the trees. This connection greatly enhances forest survival. Removal of trees and root systems compromises the regenerative capacity of the forest. What is the role of human stewardship as we face the future?
We might be wisest to allow the forests their own sovereignty. In this way, natural ecosystems exist, adapt, and evolve. Our State Park Stewardship can then provide us with education and access to experience, and observe this ongoing living, dying, decomposing, regenerating process.
Rivkah Sweedler
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BRAVO, Rivkah!!! That’s telling them. And thank you for taking the bull by the horn and speaking up on this. YOU ROCK!!!
Don’t waste your time. When we moved to Orcas you could go up the tower and on a clear day see Ranier. Then the trees south of the tower grew up. I asked the Ranger why they do not clear the view. He said send letters. We did. Nothing happened. A few years ago I asked the new Ranger the same question. Ah, progress. He said the state was studying the effect on the eco system at ground level to determine the effects on I presume the slugs and other creatures. It is hopeless. Don’t waste your time tipping at windmills. Nothing you say or do will budge the bureaucracy. I am not against government, but this is how it works. My sister emailed me a great example. If you want to see the DNR in action email me at harvey@aldort.com. Put beaver in the subject line and I will send you the article and pictures.
I’m with you, Rivkah! Humans have not demonstrated much intelligent thoughtfulness and seldom have given much consideration to consequences when it comes to dealing with Nature!
If the trees affected by root rot are in areas of well used and trodden campsites and parking areas or buildings, then I would suggest these areas be closed to any public/park usage to allow for any healing or regeneration. Yes, a nuisance to us, and costly, but a healthier solution for all in the long run.
It’s a noble thought, to picture a forest primeval, able to heal itself and endure. And it certainly will, given enough time. But we’ve all contributed to the demise of that fabled forest primeval, and now the latest: Should government back off, and let the forest “heal itself”? Sorry, but that’ll take a few extra centuries now, thanks to our lack of understanding. Sadly, earlier old-growth Cedar clear-cutting, Smokey Bear propaganda, land development, and assorted ignorance have all conspired to “fundamentally transform” a healthy, diverse forest into a monoculture of Douglas fir throughout our region. In a natural scenario, periodic, lightning-caused fires would limit fuel build-up, restore healthy soil pH and nutrient availability, open the forest canopy to sunlight, and encourage “biodiversity”. Now we get Doug fir. Period: Aggressive, acid-soil lover, fast growing, and susceptible to stuff like this Laminated Root Rot. Now, a network of feeder roots only serves to infect healthy Doug firs and Hemlocks; other Conifers are more resistant. Infected trees become sickly, building fuel for our next unnatural conflagration. It’s not a happy solution, these belated government attempts to suppress future calamity, but to stand back and let the noble forest restore itself seems a bit late now.