American Trees On The Brink and The Species There With Them
When Americans think of endangered species we rarely think of trees. We think of birds such as the Ivory-billed Woodpecker or Spotted Owl, or maybe some fragile flower, crustacean or reptile. Even more familiar to most Americans are the animals that we have hunted and caused the demise of ourselves, such as buffalo, wolves and bears. All three of those we have tried to right our wrongs and reintroduced into their native habitat. Hopefully we have made those efforts because it was the right thing to do. Maybe it is just because we were able to see the damage we had done by no longer being able to reap the rewards of what we were destroying.
As people look at non-hunted species, sometimes they don’t see personal responsibility because they don’t kill them with their own hands. Sometimes people don’t realize that something else they are reaping may be what is causing the devastation to something that seems unrelated to them. Groups got really upset when people tried to protect the spotted owl by protecting the forests they inhabit. The argument what that individuals had a right to profit from the forests, and the trees that gave a home to the owls were needed to make a living. However while everyone focused on man vs. owl, they missed the forest for the trees. No one realized that before they were done arguing that debate the trees that provided that habitat would endangered as well, making both the man and the owl lose. Sometimes we have to realize that just because we have right to do something it isn’t necessarily the right thing to do.
The following is a list of American trees that have lost over 95% of their native habitat and are now considered endangered. These trees are actually being produced more in commercial production now than they are reproducing in their natural habitat. I wanted to bring this list to light not just to highlight some amazing trees. I wanted to highlight how they have gotten to the situation they are in, and the importance every being has to one another when it comes to sustainability.
Castanaea dentata (American Chestnut): This tree is one of the most known stories of eco-catastrophe in our countries history. The Chestnut was the most coveted of all lumbers in the early part of the 1900’s. As a result was the clear-cutting of almost all of the Southern Appalachians. The practices were horrid, and reminiscent of a scene from a slaughter house, but of trees. Lumber that wasn’t seen as fit to mill was left in place leaving entire mountains looking like salvage yards. Stumps were left in place, and all of the ground vegetation was smothered under the debris. Erosion was rampant, and as a result these wastelands became a breeding ground for what would become the Chestnut blight. Species such as the black bear were almost completely lost, deer populations dissipated, and without the nuts to forage or forest to find protection from hunters Elk eventually disappeared.
Today you can still find a few old growth American Chestnuts hiding away, but for the most part they have disappeared. They are definitely no longer a force in an ecosystem they once ruled. You can find sprouts coming up as under growth in poplar/oak forests, but the blight usually sets in once they reach about 2″ in caliper. This tree was once a staple of the forest. Its nuts fed almost every creature that roamed the forest floor, including humans. Today it is just trying to regain a footing. There are active breeding program at Universities throughout the Southeast trying to develop disease resistant varieties, but for now it remains on the brink.
Ulmus americana (American Elm): In the first half of the 1900’s this tree was the most common street tree in the United States. It’s arching branches formed cathedral ceilings over almost every street in every city. It become an icon of American urbanism and the America Beautiful movement. It fell victim not to greed of harvesting, or destruction of its environment, because this tree grew anywhere. Rather it fell victim to careless breeding and commercialization that weakened the species. While Chinese and European varieties were being imported for breeding to create fancy bark or brighter fall color, no one realized that they were weakening the species and importing a deadly disease that would bring the native species to its knees.
Today, on very rare occasions you will find an old native specimen, but almost always it will be diseased. For the most part this species is kept going in nurseries where young shoots are maintained as seed stock only to be hybridized with other varieties. Many of these hybridized varieties are wonderful and are contributing to the urban landscape in a positive way. Still, long lost, or at least hiding like a hermit in the remote corners of woods, is the majestic tree that once symbolized the industrial revolution, and the America Beautiful movement.
Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine / Southern Yellow Pine): The Longleaf pine was on of the signature trees of Southeast coastal regions. This tree is very unique in that for the first eight years of its life it grows like a fireproof grass with no trunk elongation. Then it shoots up and it sensitive to burns, but once it reaches about 10′ it becomes fire proof again and soars to heights of up to 100′. This burning process is crucial to its reproduction and the culling of healthy forests. The lush wild look this process creates was the image that was burned into the minds of explorers when the new world was being discovered. The unique habit created by the juvenile plants provide habitat to all sorts of foul and wildlife and as their habitat has become endangered so have some of them. Red-cockaded woodpeckers and indigo snakes are most at risk, but tourtouses are in line right behind them.
The fate of this tree has been doomed by two demands. First and foremost the lumber industry. Only a small percentage of these trees make it from the grass stage, which is most prevalent, to the full grown tree form and mature species have been harvested at an unsustainable rate. Secondly it has suffered from development. Its native habitat starts at the first dry ground rising from coastal marshes and rises up to about 600′ in elevation. These are the prime development lands in coastal areas and as a result the first habitat taken to build homes and resorts. What is not built is often cleared for agriculture. The development has also led to fire control, and disrupted the natural growth and reproductive cycles of the species. One final negative effect on the ecosystem is that these habitats were the primary riparian buffer for water coming off of the Southern Appalachian and Ozark mountains. Along with their removal came the disappearance of lower level cold water streams, the silting and swamping of what were once fast moving rivers, and a host of other problems.
Quercus virginiana (Southern Live Oak): Yes, this tree is the one we have embedded in our heads from movies like Gone With the Wind, and every other great southern movie or novel. As we see them in all the urban settings and plantation gardens you would not think something this majestic could be in any sort of danger. The Spanish soss and fern growing on its branches make it look as thought this species is drooping from the weight or its virility. However, in its native habitat it is almost gone. The boggy soil and forests of the deltas where it thrived have mostly been drained for drilling, sugar cane, and development. These trees made up the buffers that used to protect New Orleans from the onslaught of hurricanes. There ability to be uprooted and fall apart but continue to grow in the loamy soil that was once its home was the constant stability that held the delta together. Now their native habitat is down to a few remaining national and state controlled forests. Of course other species have been impacted, but the most famous impact was the damage from Katrina that was exasperated without the natural buffers these trees created to protect it.
Tsuga hetrophylla (Western Hemlock) & Tsuga caroliniana (Carolina Hemlock): Both of these trees have suffered similar fates. Both are the victims of over logging. Unfortunately both were thought to be invincible as they grew like the Red Cedars of the Midwest on either coast. In the East the Carolina Hemlock was hardly ever used for lumber, They were usually casualties of careless Chestnut and Oak harvest and turned into pulp or used for fuel. By the time the species was decimated people had realized it was a beautiful lumber and turned to the bountiful west coast for the Western Hemlock in its place. Neither were able to come back as fast as they were being harvested and as a result the faster growing Tsuga canadensis (Canadian Hemlock) and various Pines have taken their respective places.
This has greatly changed the ecosystem of the forests elimating wildflowers and other shade tolerant plants that don’t tolerate the heavier shade of the pines. Also, these native varieties could fully develop as smaller sized trees in the shade of canopy trees. Whereas the Canadian Hemlock can grow in the shade but is naturally inclined to become more of a canopy tree. The Canadian version is also more prone to the woolly adelgid do to the flat placement of the needles compared to the rounder needle placement of the native varieties. Now the adelgid has set in, the Canadian Hemlock is dying at rates comparable to those of the Chestnut blight casualties. This has forever changed the ecosystem of all the warmer climate mountain forests where the adelgid thrives. Since the Hemlock also likes moist soils its decline is also increasing the light on mountain streams destroying native trout and salmonid habitat.
Picea sitchensis(Sitka Spruce): Another victim of logging, this species is also succumbing to the woolly adelgid. One of the more tragic consequences of this parable is that this tree is the home to the endangered Spotted Owl. When the fight over protecting the owl versus the right to harvest came to a head the harvest rate increased dramatically as it turned into a race to see how much people could harvest as while they still could. As timber containing adelgid infested lumber moves up and down the highways it just spreads it even more. In the end both the owl and the loggers are losing out as they are losing the tree they both covet so much.
Thuja plicata Western Red Cedar: This tree has been devastated in its native habitat due to logging for pulp. However, it is thriving and making a surge in cultivation. As the Hemlocks and Junipers used in landscapes have become more problematic and disease prone, this tree grows with relative ease. It struggles to outpace the pines that are moving into the native habitat because the Pines grow larger and shade them out. While in the landscape people are finding this to be a great native alternative to give the feel of a Canadian Hemlock without the adelgids or chemicals to keep the bugs at bay. However do to massive logging its natural disbursement patterns have been disrupted permanently and it may never be able to reestablish itself against the more aggressive species taking it’s place.
These trees are just a few that are becoming more and more endangered everyday. These trees I have chosen mainly because they have been in some way symbolic of American culture, have been a crucial part of the fabric of our forests, and have helped to convey the essence of the places we call home. The point of this article isn’t just to create awareness of a few trees, but also to make us realize that everything we do effects far more than us. As humans we have a capability that other species don’t: to make a conscious decision regarding an other’s fate.
The causes and the impacts I have discussed in this post are far from all that has contributed to or been a consequence of these changes. However with the ability to determine another being’s fate also comes the moral responsibility to do what is right for everyone and everything, not just ourselves. Also comes a responsibility to learn as much about the situations, plants, and creatures whose existence we can alter before we make an impact. Everyone makes mistakes unknowingly, but what determines the greatness of society or individual is how they use their abilities to correct or make amends for those mistakes and how what they use what they have learned moving forward. Hopefully this will create another ripple in that pool of awareness that we can all pass on.
It’s that time of year again. I’ve cleaned out the tube bird feeders, hung a couple new suet feeders, and I have already had on ripped down by the bear. I always like to wait until winter is really coming to start feeding. Primarily because I like to let the birds “Free Range” on wild flower seeds and the summer fruits and berries in the garden. I like the thought of them helping with the natural cycle of scarifying and dispersing the seeds the way nature intended. I also like not having the bears visit everyday, especially with my daughter playing outside by herself all summer. This is a luxury we have living on a rural mountainside that we didn’t have on an urban street corner. Not that the bears are the threat that some of our neighbors were. They are more akin to urban raccoons that scavenge their way around on garbage day and pilfer your bird feeders.
Pinus (Pine): There are dozens of native pines that make great trees for birds. Pinus Strobus (Eastern White Pine) is the most commonly planted in the United States, but for smaller varieties in residential gardens some other native options include Pinus aristata (Bristlecone Pine), Pinus banksiana (Jack Pine), Pinus Bugeana (Lacebark Pine), Pinus Resinosa (Red Pine), and Pinus monophylla (Pinyon Pine). These pines are all more moderate in size than the White Pine, but still maintain a natural feel in a formal landscape. This makes them ideal for urban or residential situations. 
Juniperus (Juniper): Juniperus communis (Common Juniper), Juniperus monosperma (Oneseed Juniper), Juniperus occidentalis (Western Juniper), Juniperus scopularum (Rocky Mountain Juniper) and Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar) are the most common native varieties in the continental United States. Between these five you can find a native Juniper almost anywhere in North America. All of these varieties have been cultivated into varieties for landscape use that can be safely used without worrying about reseeding invasive offspring. If seed stock does emerge it will come out as one of the native varieties. There are some hybridized varieties that could revert to something else, so if trying to stay native stick to cultivated or native varieties only. 
Viburnums: Viburnums are a favorite of landscape designers because they are extremely hardy They also produce nice flowers, foliage and berries and provide some great fall color. Some are even evergreen, and the flowers are often extremely fragrant. However, they are usually somewhat of an unknown to beginning gardeners or casual retail nursery shoppers. Native species include Viburnum dentatum (Chicago Luster Viburnum), Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw Viburnum), Viburnum rufidulum (Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum), and Viburnum trilobum (American Cranberry Viburnum), All of these plants have abundant flowers and berries and can be kept as large shrubs or small trees in any landscape. The birds love them for the berries and their height is achieved with fairly small horizontal branches that are great for perching but don’t hold the weight of predators making them a nice place for birds to hang out. There are also many cultivated and hybridized non-native varieties that are not invasive. If for some reason a native option doesn’t work for you, I would not hesitate to explore those options.
Cornus (Dogwood): Everyone thinks of Dogwoods as the spring flowering tree, however they also come in some naturalizing and shrub forms as well. Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) is a sentimental favorite for gardeners with the pink and white flowers at Easterand red berries in the fall. However Cornus racemosa (Gray Dogwood) makes a great naturalizing thicket of about 12-15 feet and produces a nice white flower in May and June and a waxy white berry birds love. Other varieties include Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood), Cornus drummundii (Rough-leaved Dogwood), Cornus nuttallii (Pacific Dogwood), and Cornus sericea (Red Twig Dogwood). The Rough-leaved and Red Twig Dogwoods provide a shrub form and the red twigs provide great winter interest. All of these plants have wonderful landscape value, as well as make great naturalizers. They all have reliable berries for the birds, provide nesting habitat, and add aesthetic value to add to any garden.
Prunus (Cherry): The Prunus (Cherry) family covers more than the cherries we eat or the flowering trees we see in spring. There several shrub forms and not as showy trees that can add subtle accents to the landscape, as well as habitat and fodder for birds. Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry) comes in several forms and varieties and is a great alternative to some of the hybrid and grafted tree-form varieties. Prunus caroliniana (Carolina Cherrylaurel) and its Asian counterpart Prunus lauroceasus (Cherry Laurel) make great evergreen shrubs, providing both protection and berries as well as a nice evergreen foliage for the landscape. Prunuis subhirtella (Weeping cherry) is a nice pink flowering native that drops small berries mid summer. Prunus besseyi (Sand Cherry) is a great naturalizing shrub with small white flowers and black berries that are low enough to provide fodder for foraging birds like pheasant and turkey. Finally, Prunus americana (Wild Plum) is probably one of the most common fruit bearing trees and can be found in almost all states east of the Rockies. Of course there are other varieties as well, but as a family, Prunus may provide more food for the birds this continent than any other plant family.
Such a big word sustainability is. Everyone is trying to define it. Everyone says they can provide it, and most think it is something you create or buy rather than something that you do indefinitely. For the last five years I worked in sustainable development. I raced everyday to repair the forest’s edge and to get the wild flowers to grow before some salesman decided “sustainability” didn’t sell. I fought for the budgets and screamed on behalf of the trees and the workers who protected and cared for them. Well for something to be sustainable it cannot be a race, or a competition it has to be a collaborative effort from the bottom up. To use a dirty word, it is community organizing with nature as a full fledged participant. Sustain is a verb and you can’t turn it into a noun by claiming to give it ability and using it as something to be sold or proffited from. It is an effort, behavior, and way of life that for it to be successful requires participation of everone involved and recognition of everything involved. It has to be adaptable and evolutionary just like nature, because if any part of the system changes it impacts the whole.
I have always said that the difference between a garden and a landscape is that the garden requires a gardener. A landscape may not require a gardener, but it does require a steward. This is the paradox of the sustainable landscape. Once nature is disrupted it can no longer be sustainable (self-sustaining) in the truest sense. It has to be sustained unless it can be returned to the natural state. Once you have destroyed the natural cycles, nature can never completely return to what it was. All we can do is create a new eco-system, and help it get to where it can thrive on its own. Hopefully we can do it in a way that won’t disrupt the lifecycle of surrounding ecosystems and set it in another wrong course. The bottom line in all of this is once we have broken it we own it. We suddenly have to maintain it or repair it in a way that it can maintian itself. Suddenly sustainability is no longer about sustaining the beauty around us, but rather a race to stop the damage we have done. Once the decision is made and the damage is done all of the sudden sustainability or more precise, sustaining starts and the cycle set in motion may never end.
