Rethinking Our Pines

We all know that planting trees benefits our environment…usually. Looking back, Wisconsin was the nation’s top timber producer between 1890-1899. By the 1920s, logging had decimated Wisconsin’s seemingly endless forests.

Reforestation efforts ramped up in the 1930s and 40s. In fact, most present-day forests are second or third-growth. This lovely section of the Steinke Basin Trail in Devil’s Lake State Park features replanted pines in telltale straight rows, as do many regional pine forests. Back then, foresters and landowners primary concerns were often commercial, the original landscape and natural habitats were often disregarded when replanting.

Today those early plantings are regularly being removed across the country because the thick pines are now considered invasive species that can damage the ecosystem. The stands outcompete native species for resources like water and sunlight. This can reduce biodiversity and negatively impact the landscape. – And of course, this is just PART of the story…

Personally, I have mixed feelings about pine removal. When pines were cut down on the Merrimac Preserve and in the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area, it fundamentally changed landscapes and experiences. (There’s something peaceful about strolling or skiing through a pine forest.) However, I’m learning to appreciate the more open, healing landscapes. How do you feel about large-scale pine removal in our parks and natural areas? Does it bother you, or are you excited to see more natural habitats emerge?

REF:

Logging & Forest Products – https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-027/
Looking Back at Wisconsin Forests – https://mywisconsinwoods.org/2022/09/30/looking-back-at-the-history-of-wisconsin-forests
Timber, The History of Forests in Wisconsin – https://www.uwsp.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/leaf-wisconsin-forests-forever-activity-2.pdf
A Legacy of Tree Planting – https://forestrynews.blogs.govdelivery.com/2022/05/13/a-legacy-of-tree-planting/
Reforesting The Lake States – https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/fc5d1a8a4d064e208242fbdc809be27a

Derrick Mayoleth

For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.