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Wild Creatures Need Wild Forests!
A Study of ”Old Growth Values”
Forests and woodlands occupy about 38% of the Earth's surface, and they are more productive and have greater biodiversity than other types of terrestrial vegetation. The largest area of temperate zone rain forests on the planet are in the coastal regions between Alaska and northern California. At this point, 95% of the forests in California, Oregon and Washington have been logged.
Before the chainsaw, the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state contained one of the largest volumes of timber per unit area in the world. The average age of the trees was close to a thousand years. Today, the average age of the trees outside of the few protected areas is just over 60 years. Severe damage to soils and fisheries has resulted.
The Peninsula’s National Forest land has now been designated an “Experimental Forest” with the intention to reestablish 20% of the land to an old growth pattern of biodiversity, stability and sustainability. A state legislated habitat conservation plan mandates that logging practices don’t destroy the few tiny fragments of ancient forest, as well as allowing the restoration of the over exploited portions of the land.
Trees begin to acquire characteristics of an old forest at about 150 years of age. The following photographs, taken by Quynn Elizabeth over the last 5 years, illustrate many traits that will contribute to the preferred habitat for endangered species, such as the Spotted Owl, Marble Murlet, all of the Salmon family, and those who depend upon them.
The Cedar stump on which Quynn stands was cut down in one of the first waves of tree cutting on the Olympic Peninsula. After almost 100 years, it still stands, reminding us of what our kind has done.
Buttressed Trees
Buttresses are a feature that many trees exhibit in rainforests as they age. They are woody flanged extensions that radiate outwards from the lower part of the tree trunk and often reach large proportions, sometimes up to 10 meters in height. Extending out horizontally on, or just beneath, the forest floor there are shallow root systems in buttressed trees. Many rainforest soils are shallow and can easily become waterlogged, and the nutrient concentration is often highest nearer to the surface than at great depths. In these sorts of conditions, shallow roots are more efficient than the common deep tap root system. Buttresses have helped trees grow old for millennia.
The Hole of the Ancient Giant Remains to Remind
Trees prefer to grow together, and on top of each other. Inside the hole shown of this ancient Spruce tree was once another large, older tree. 500-800 years ago, the tree you see here was a little one, grasping on to its mother, before she passed and eroded away. The way it has always been.
10 foot Memory of an Ancestor-
This is a common sight in an old growth forest. The empty space seen in this photograph is 7 feet high, and reminds us what it takes to help young trees grow strong. Elder trees nourish the younger generation, and then they slowly decay, leaving a hole behind. Does this tree feel the “empty space” of its mother?
The Web of Life-
Spiders, Birds, Cougars, Beavers, Bears and All the Rest of Us need forests with many generations and types of plants and trees to thrive. Food, water, homes and protection come from the delicate web of life in the forests of the world. They belong to all of us, and we know it is our job to protect them.
A Thousand Year Old Cedar
Cedars don’t rot, even in a wet rainforest. In a world that protects Cedars, this tree can live for a thousand years and more, and when it “dies”, it continues to stand, until wind or fire takes it down. This particular tree is old enough to have shed its bark, and its green branches, yet it still stands, offering protection for young trees and birds. People who love and honor Cedar have always called it “The Tree of Life”.
Ancient Trees= Forest Weavers
Imagine the weight of just one 200-300 foot high tree pressing downward into the earth! A forest of old and ancient trees intertwine their root systems and create a net web under the surface to hold the ground together. As miles of old growth forests fall under the human chain saw, the top soil erodes and washes away in the 12-14 feet of rainfall each year.
What Salmon Like!
Creeks with icy cold water and overhanging trees are essential for spawning salmon, and their eggs, to thrive. Wild salmon are hatched in a stream such as this. They travel out to the open ocean and when the time comes, they journey back up their “home” stream to spawn and offer themselves in the ultimate give-away. Every patch of cut forest land increases sunlight/warmth on previously shaded waters, endangering the salmon tribes and all those who depend on them.
A Wall of Wood-
When the first waves of white men came west to cut the ancient forests of the Olympic Peninsula, they described the untouched land as “A Wall of Wood”. They saw so many huge trees, so close together, that they could not even walk in a straight line. They were, however, able to cut down almost every one of these majestic beauties, leaving only a handful of medium size trees like this one. It is now our job to find ways to care for the forests in this area designated a World Heritage Site so another generation of trees might live to a ripe old age.
Riparian Buffer Zones- Quiet Oasis in Troubled Times
This quiet and beautiful spot on a small creek looks perfect, and it is. Cold aquamarine colored water. Pools perfect for fish to rest as they travel upstream. However, just outside the camera frame, on both sides of the creek, are miles of clearcut forest land. For much of the Olympic Peninsula’s timber cutting history, no care was taken about taking every tree right up to any waterway. In the recent past, policies have changed, now requiring that timber companies leave a 50 foot buffer zone on each side of a fish bearing creek or stream. While not at all optimal, these buffers of trees provide shade and a sliver of habitat for the birds and animals who live in areas devastated by humanity.
Thick Bark Trees-
This 400-800 year old tree is often called a “Douglas” Fir. Since Quynn resists naming natural features after white men, she has renamed this species “Thick Bark” Fir. Once they get to be over 150 years old, these trees grow incredibly thick and fire resistant bark.
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