Eric wrote:
>How do they comply with the rules and regulations? (Beside spraying?)
A few small woodland owners replant quickly after logging and
hope the seedlings get up before the brush. This works better
in some areas and less well in others. Deer, scotch broom, and
mountain beaver all have to be factored in. We have deer, rampant
scotch broom, and mountain beaver.
>On a large
>scale, in an naturally disturbed sight, I wouldn't expect the climax forest
>to reassert itself very successfully, or at least very quickly.
Many foresters claim the climax douglas fir forest requires fire in
this area. They have found that the seedling die if planted in a
shady site. Others claim that Western Red Cedar dominated the
north slopes along with hemlock and others. The south slopes
eventually were filled in by douglas fir, but it can take a long
time. Another man claims that the douglas fir can grow in the
shade if supported by the right fungi. One study concluded that
the climax forest is brush in many areas. Take your pick. The
questions we might want to ask here are:
1. What is a climax forest and is that what we want?
2. Should we control the succession of plants and force
our model of a climax forest?
3. Is the nature of a climax forest changing due to
human influence?
>What were your expectations? Plant Douglas Fir seedlings and sit back?
It is difficult to sit back with 30 acres of seedlings, but that
is roughly what i did about 8 years ago. It succeeded in a few areas, but
most of the trees were killed by scotch broom and grass.
>> It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people
>> providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material
>> and non-material needs in a sustainable way.
>
> Is this what you want? How does this fit with the rules and regulations?
What i have today is mix of natural areas, developing forest garden
areas, meadows, wetlands, and more intensively managed areas near
the house. It feels right and it fits the Permaculture zones,
although that was not the original intent.
>What happens in a smaller natural
>clearing like a land slide, flood, fire, meadow, etc? How does the forest
>close in? What species are the native pioneers. Are there successful
>examples of the Douglas Fir being successful?
Some areas go into hemlock, other get choked in brush with a few
scattered trees slowly asserting themselves, others go into alder
which dies making holes for conifers. A few grow back to forest
fairly quickly. Most of the factors controlling all this are
known, but the information isn't easy to find.
>Do the stumps sprout out?
No. A few cedar maybe and a few young alders gave it a go, but
nothing significant.
>You make me feel better; I have
>felt a little overwhelmed by our two acres of old apple orchard <grin>.
I think most property owners/gardeners interested in ecological designs
feel overwhelmed. Maybe not overwhelmed.... impressed with the
wonder of how everything interacts and with the complexity of it all.
Viewed as art it becomes a dynamic tapestry which changes with
the seasons.
Summary of my thoughts about this site:
Precise definitions and goals in habitat restoration are
difficult because we are dealing with a changing and
dynamic environment. What we can do is develop a model
then actively seek feedback. We never gain total understanding
and assuming we have all the answers interferes with our ongoing
education.
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Jeff Owens ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Zone 6-7
Underground house, solar energy, reduced consumption, no TV
