Park Look vs. Messy Woods? The Answer Is Surprising!
Article 2 Series 1
I had a utopian view of forestry work when first getting established. I disliked huge ruts (still do) in woods, tree tops, and slash (woody debris) as well. I thought that I could turn every job into a park. I was soon to learn, (through my association with foresters and school) that a messy woods is a happy woods, though this does not imply carelessness, haste or laziness.
For sure, it is very, very important to leave behind woody debris (which will become the next generation of forest soil), however, it can, and must be done with planning and deliberation. Our endeavor is to fill in low areas with woody debris (kind of a wilderness hugelkultur idea) or chop the residual matter up into smaller bits so that as much of the debris as possible will come in contact with the ground and organisms of decay, (sort of a carpet of limbs).
No doubt that some of you are planning your next landscape or forestscape escapade, but before you do, take some time to critically scrutinize your goals and objectives.
Do you want your forest to be a veritable waste land of sterile, compulsive nothingness or do you want a forest/yard that plays host to literally billions of organisms from micro (think soil) to macro (think everything that you can see) from insects to birds, from reptilian squatters to large mammalian tenants?
Isn’t a forest full of frolicking critters and woody debris, preferable to a static feathered surface of pine needles and leaves (or are those gone to)? No one is going to begrudge you your tidy yard, but please reconsider sterilizing it.
When your forest is spotless and your lawn rivals the local golf club you’re essentially evicting all the meaningful and aforementioned life, so stop being stuffy and give your requisite acreage permission to let its collective hair down.
