We should allow healthy old beech to decide their fate on their own. We
don't know if the latest invasive pest, Orchestes, will suddenly
subside, slow its spread, or whatever. Even if the pest continues to
spread, the trees you mention may live for another 20 years or more,
which is extremely important for ecosystem services and wildlife.Â
Instructing/demanding LAF to save any large, healthy beech in our public
forests is reasonable. Ask them to flag the trunks before harvest
begins. In fact, if the land is growing tolerant hardwood, such as
beech, the forests are likely pointing toward becoming more tolerant and
heavy removals are entirely inappropriate. Managing shade on the forest
floor is extremely important, and even more so in the context of climate
change. Beech is so very important for wildlife who find less and less
food sources on Crown land where the very best harvest practices are to
take place. The 10 % retention levels are absolutely not acceptable on
lands that are likely to be allocated for ecological forestry. This is
essentially a seed tree release, even-aged forestry. We should be well
past this type of prescription now as we approach nearly 3 years since
Lahey made his recommendations.
For more useful info, check out mother trees. Why mother trees are
crucial for fighting climate change
<cid:part1.622D0A40.BA069A4E@eastlink.ca>.
And here is a case that shows why retaining 10 % canopy is not
recommended as new, Canadian science of how forests work is discovered:
Dispatches from the mother tree forest
<cid:part2.A347B538.956E68FF@eastlink.ca>. This new focus since it is
not just about maintaining old growth but recognizes the functional
advantage these trees provide to other trees within mycorrhizal networks.
It's sad that we all must keep asking for better forestry after a
Natural Resources Strategy (2010) and now Lahey recommendations, and
still there is little change in forestry practices and our last forests
are falling. Logical requests like retaining healthy old trees are
often addressed by industry people using derogatory tones and who taunt
and label us as 'anti-forestry' when we simply want sustainable partial
harvests to meet requirements for biodiversity, wildlife and a better
future for all. Keep up your efforts, Mary.
Regards,
Donna Crossland
On 2021-05-02 8:57 a.m., Mary Macaulay wrote:
I have been visiting as many sites as I can on the
"harvest" Â map
before comments close (locked down now unfortunately). The most recent
had a humongous healthy Old Growth beech on it and lots of smaller
ones. It is scheduled to be clearcut (10% retention). I have been told
time and again by L&F and conservation officials that there is no
interest in beech conservation when I draw extremely rare healthy
beech in condemned stands to their attention.
With kindest regards
Mary
On May 2, 2021, at 8:48 AM, Peter Payzant
<peter(a)payzant.net> wrote:
 To clarify, I was wondering if there was any point in trying to
re-establish Beech here once the existing ones are gone. When would
it be worth the effort, if ever?
It seems that the National Tree Seed Centre is not well-stocked with
American Beech seed, by the way.
--- Peter Payzant
On 2021-05-01 4:37 PM, John and Nhung wrote:
I wonder if the National Tree Seed Centre in Fredericton
(
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-data/research-centres-labs/forestry-researc…
<https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-data/research-centres-labs/forestry-research-centres/atlantic-forestry-centre/national-tree-seed-centre/13449>)
could help. A couple of years ago, I was in touch re. Hemlocks
(threatened by the adelgid) and black ash (Thought I’d hit a lot of
them down here in God’s country, but they turned out to be a
European species!).
Donnie McPhee (donnie.mcphee(a)canada.ca
<mailto:donnie.mcphee@canada.ca>) is the go-to guy and can probably
identify go-to people in N.S.
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