A NEW DANGER IN THE FORESTS

"WILDLIFE WEDNESDAY" 

"A New Danger In The Forests"

There is a new danger that lurks in the Southern Forests.  Hikers, campers, mountain bikers, paddlers, hunters, and all outdoorsmen should become familiar with this new and present danger that will plague the woods that we frequent for some time.  DEAD TREES!  During 2016 the southern U.S. suffered a historic drought that covered 100% of the state Alabama and much of the surrounding states.  With abnormally high rainfall amounts this summer, most people feel that this we have more than made up for the shortfall of water last year and that our problems are in the rear view mirror.  This is certainly not the case for those of us who spent a lot of time in the woods.  

 Many trees across the southern forest did not make it through the drought of 2016 and that was evident this spring when many did not put on leaves with the rest of the deciduous trees that come to life in late February through April. The stress of the drought was simply too much for them to live.  Last year, many trees had to dig deep into their reserves to survive the drought.  This puts the tree in a stressed state and with any additional attack, be it from lack of water, insects, fungus, disease, etc.  the tree will have a hard time recovering.   The effects of the drought will not be fully seen on the forests for several years after a drought. The US Forest Service has some good info about the effects of drought on forests if you care to dig deeper into the science of what happens:  https://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/climate-change/drought-forests-and-rangelands

 It does not take much to find an area of dead trees in the southern forests.  As you drive along if you look up at the mountain sides you will likely see areas of trees that have lost their leaves.  Often they stripe the mountain with horizontal lines.  These areas that are shallow in topsoil were particularly easy targets for the drought to take its toll.  I have personally lost several hundred trees on my farm. Many of which did not show any signs until the last few weeks.    The economic impact to the forestry industry may be great over the next several years.  The ecological impact will be significant as well.  The immediate danger will come in the form of dead and decaying tree trunks and limbs that have made the forest a minefield for those who spend time there.  

As fall approaches and the cool air starts to move in, the southern woods start to come alive with people who set out to spend time in nature.  Hunters fill the woods looking to bag game.  Campers set out to spend time in the forest.  Hikers travel down those footpaths through the forests.  Kayakers, Mountain bikers, rock climbers, etc.  all are about to venture out into a land that has changed quite a bit in terms of safety.  So when you head out to enjoy the forests this fall, please keep in mind you are entering into a mine field from above.  

In forestry the term "Widowmaker" is often used to describe a detached or broken limb or a tree top and denotes the hazards that such features cause. The term "Snag" is used to refer to a standing, dead or dying tree, often missing a top or most of the smaller branches.


The woods will soon be full of widowmakers and snags. The snags and dead branches play important roles in the world of ecology making up an important part of the structural component in forest communities. Many cavity nesting wildlife will use these snags as well as them being a home for the decomposers. This is a benefit to these species, but the purpose of this article is warn of the dangers that are present to humans. Hence the name (widowmaker), these branches and snags can fall at any time and can easily be fatal. Often hunters are often in the woods during dark hours and often alone. It will be particularly important for them to take precautions of these dangers. Windy conditions will increase the dangers.

SO WHEN YOU HEAD OUT TO ENJOY THE FORESTS, PLEASE BE MINDFUL THAT THERE IS AN INCREASED LEVEL OF CAUTION THAT SHOULD BE APPLIED TO YOU REGULAR FOREST SAFETY MEASURES.  A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF AWARENESS OF THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE SHOULD BE APPLIED.  

SPREAD THE WORD!

UNTIL NEXT WEEK  

BE SAFE, BE CAREFUL, BEHAVE, DON'T DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL, IMMORAL, UNETHICAL, OR JUST PLAIN STUPID