I placed my backpack on the snow covered ground right where a Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) had stood recently and sat down. The tree had ripped up its roots and exposed the new earth. I examined the web of roots, dirt and rock that reached eight feet tall. In what must have been an explosive fall the large roots ripped from the ground and rocks were torn up having been wrapped up in the trees water and nutrient gathering system. The roots now withered and dry hung limp from the tree.
This fallen tree had created a gap in the forest, an opportunity for other plants to access sun and nutrients to grow. This is an important part of the forest ecosystem. A fallen tree is a small disturbance compared to a fire, larger storm or even volcano, yet is still enables a new microclimate. Since the soil is still in tact where the tree fell this gap enables secondary succession. When lava or major landslides leave no soil for new plants primary succession follows, but what I sit on is healthy soil now with more nutrients and sunlight ready to support young plants. Trees that range from a foot tall to no greater than six feet reach through the opening created by the fallen tree exhibiting a small version of forest succession. The height of the young trees tells me that the large tree probably fell less ten to fifteen years ago.
This tree also fell the South West so a northeaster could be to blame according to Tom Wessels who writes Reading a Forested Landscape. When I stood up I noticed another tree had fallen right next to the first tree and in the same direction. It had been blocked by the large upturned root system of the first tree. The thin soil was further explanation to why these two trees may have been targeted during a large winter storm years ago.
Maddie Lehner