Finding Beauty and Life in Unexpected Places
Have you ever stumbled across a clear-cut patch of forest on a hike, and wondered about its use? Did you know that these clear cut areas provide crucial habitat for our native wildlife species? Last week, MMRG teamed up with Branch Hill Farm to host a special forestry habitat walk in Milton, NH with local forester Charlie Moreno and wildlife biologist Mariko Yamasaki. The group trekked to a spot that had been clear cut nine years prior and explored the hidden benefits of cleared areas.
At first glance, clear cut areas might not look like anything special. You might even think they are devoid of purpose. But don’t be misled - clear cut areas are teeming with life and are absolutely critical for the health and well-being of forests! The particular area Charlie and Mariko led the group to had been cleared out by selective human activity, but forests can also become disturbed by Mother Nature. Effects of strong downdrafts from thunderstorms (“microbursts”), devastating ice storms, drought, insect infestations, or wildfires can all clear a forest.
Regardless of the cause, forest disturbances create openings that allow light to reach the understory, benefiting new growth of species like oak, black birch, and pine. These tree species grow more quickly and help to diversify cleared out areas. Diversification of species benefits the entire forest - the healthiest forests have mixed-age trees with a wide variety of species. Remember the old adage, “variety is the spice of life”? It’s true for forests, too!
Charlie and Mariko noted that a diverse forest fulfills the needs of a much wider variety of birds, reptiles, and mammals. Goshawks, Cooper hawks, and Sharp-shinned hawks all nest at different tree heights, provided by a mix of new and old growth habitats. Eagle species rely on large, old-growth trees that can withstand the weight of their famously large nests -- some weighing over 700 pounds! Cleared areas create new opportunities for animal life. While heavily forested areas provide cover from predators, cleared woods create space for fledglings to develop flight coordination and provide easy access to insects scurrying on the ground. Birds that take advantage of early successional habitat include the chestnut sided warbler, common warbler, eastern towhee, indigo bunting and prairie warbler, to name only a few. Small rodents, snowshoe hare, deer, and moose all use clear cut areas too. Our group was even fortunate enough to see moose and hare droppings as evidence of recent use!
The group learned that, for prime wildlife use, the sweet spot for cleared areas is between six and fifteen years. By this point, the area will have enough new vegetative growth to provide cover for hiding and camouflage while also being open enough to easily find food. Charlie and Mariko reminded us that ideal cleared areas will be surrounded by acres of dense forest - tucked away and out of sight.
Charlie and Mariko explained that the particular clear cut area we visited would eventually be divided into smaller, five acre sections. The sections will be cut using a staggered approach every six years, creating early successional habitats across different times for a wider variety of wildlife.
We’d like to thank Charlie and Mariko for sharing their time and wisdom with the group. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the importance of different forest types! By the end of the walk, the entire group saw the beauty and importance of a clear cut space. Mariko and Charlie allowed everyone to view the area in a new light, one where folks could clearly see the uses and benefits to plants and animals alike. It’s easy to get swept up by the aesthetic beauty of densely wooded areas, but on your next walk, take a moment and search for beauty where it might not be noticed.