Forests are dynamic, ever-changing ecosystems. From tiny insects to towering sycamores, a healthy woodland is a welcome, inviting space for a wide variety of life. Our healthiest forest habitats are diverse in composition, including their tallest inhabitants: trees.
In Northeast Ohio we have a wonderful variety of trees, many of which are native. Native trees contribute greatly to the health and vitality of forest environments. Nut producers, like oaks and hickories, provide food for deer, squirrels and turkeys. Flower fluff from the mature seedheads of cottonwoods and willows is a desirable nesting material for hummingbirds and warblers.
On the other hand, non-native trees have little to no established relationships in our forest settings and may even be detrimental to them. Some non-native species have gained notoriety for being invasive, crowding out native species and even using allelopathic chemicals in the soil to stunt and kill off competition. Remember to consider a tree’s native range when choosing a species for planting.
When trees reach the end of their lives, their relationship with fellow forest dwellers doesn’t end. Cavities and hollow spaces in old, dying trees make excellent homes for a host of birds and mammals. Detritivores like insects, fungus and bacteria promote decomposition and return fallen trees and branches to the soil, making nutrients and other resources available again.
For more stories like this, check out Green Islands magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.