Organic Tree Care - For The Professional

Chapter 17 - Woodlot Management based on tree biology and organic.

Woods or groups of tree are often connected underground as well as throughout many ecological stages, starting at a seed and ending up after maturity, as completely incorporated into the living soil with just residual lignin remaining.  The main theme is buildup and breakdown.  One must take wildlife, soil, water, elements, microorganism, fungi, bacteria as well as insects and on and on into consideration when determining the best treatments for the area containing trees. Ignorance of tree biology is a major problem for trees worldwide.  First there is no data to show that cutting the wood out will increase the health of the ecosystem.  A forest is an ecosystem.  You cannot plant an ecosystem.  You can plant a group of trees.  Usually a woodlot is consider an area that has been clear-cut with all wood removed at one time or another.  Not as healthy as a fertile forest.

No data have been provided to show that cutting the wood out helps wildlife.  Trees that have died (dead to the casual observer), symplastless to the more careful looker or researcher, offer a multitude of benefits for wildlife and other tree associates.  I have heard that removing the wood will prevent a forest fire and right they are, just as a tourniquet will also stop a nose bleed when used around the neck. 

Aesthetics is often a goal of property owners.  Given partially fallen trees soil contact cutting the logs in about 4' sections and placing them with soil contact, will not only reduce soil erosion and help provide water to living trees during drought, it will improve the looks very mulch.  Snags, trees without any branches and over 20' tall, are very important to many wildlife species.  What was once called a dead, nonfunctioning tree is now revealed as a major contributor to overall ecosystem health.  Making some flush cuts on certain trees will create cavities for small wildlife.  Not good for the individual tree but good for wildlife.  What is bad for the individual can be very beneficial for the group.

Reference on the story of fallen trees and such.

More to come on this topic, soon!

Back to beginning of book.   Go to Chapter Eighteen     Go back to Chapter Sixteen

Text & Graphics Copyright 2009 Keslick & Son Modern Arboriculture

Contact Us       Main Page         Our Dictionary