Pitch Pine
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) is a small to medium size tree that is native to Eastern North America. It is irregular in shape and grows to a height of 20 to 98 feet. They grow rapidly when they are young, up until around 50 years, then growth slows, and can live for about 200 years.
The branches are usually twisted and the needles are in bundles of three, and about 2 1/4 to 5 inches in length. Pine cones are long and oval in shape and have prickles on the scales. The cones usually take 2 to 3 years to mature and the seeds within the cones are dispersed during the Fall to Winter.
Pitch pine has the ability to regenerate if the trunk is damaged by fire or is cut. The bark, which consists of thick and irregular plates, can protect the inner layers from heat. The tree can also re-sprout using epicormic shoots from its damaged areas. Pitch pine provides housing and food for many wildlife species. Birds nest in its branches, deer consume the new sprouts and small mammals and birds eat the seeds.
Tree Decomposition
The lifecycle of a tree varies depending on their species and their environment. Some trees can live hundreds of years because they continually produce new tissue and are able to adapt to their surroundings. The majority of trees however, die earlier than this due to disease, injury or unfavorable environmental conditions.
Tree decay is the process of rotting or decomposition. When this biological process occurs the wood’s cellulose and lignin convert to carbon dioxide and water and the remaining nutrients are released into the soil. It can be caused by many factors, including; wounds, stubs, scars and root damage.
Trees can also rot from the inside out, making it harder to spot the signs of decay. Three types of rot can be caused by fungi, these are; white, brown and soft rot.
Wounds – These occur when a tree is injured limiting its ability to take in water or food and protect itself from infection, infestation or disease.
Stubs – A stub is created when tree branches break off, such as in a storm, or die. This can cause a wound that may not heal resulting in a hole that will invite decay.
Scars – When bark is removed or dies off, scars can leave the inside of the tree exposed to decay. Animals can cause scarring when looking for food and humans can cause scarring by writing messages on the bark.
Root damage – When roots don’t get enough oxygen or the right amount of water decay can begin underground.
White, brown and soft rot – Each kind of rot causes the wood to appear differently. White rot is present when the wood appears to be lighter, this occurs when the fungi feed on lignin. Brown rot can make the wood look crumbly and browner in color, this is due to larger amounts of lignin being left behind. Soft rot occurs when a fungus uses enzymes and nitrogen in the soil to break down cellulose. Soft rotting logs are usually partially buried in the soil.
So, what does tree decomposition look like?
Many fungi make their way onto decaying wood using microscopic spores that can drift in the air. Fungi will often inhabit a tree, living with them their whole life, only to become active when the tree becomes stressed or old.
Most often, when you see a fungus on the side of a tree it means the tree is in some level of trouble. Fungi commonly spread by extending their network of branches and as they spread along a dying or dead tree, they release enzymes that break down the wood and allow the fungus to feed on it.
As decay advances, more organisms such as bacteria, slugs, beetles woodlice and millipedes come along to assist in the processes. These organisms are called detritivores, and as they feed on the wood, they open it up to moisture which helps it to fall apart and decompose even faster.
Once the rotten wood starts to mix with the underlying soil, earthworms and springtails consume it, furthering the process of decomposition.
Other signs of tree decomposition can include soft or brittle wood, where the branches or bark easily break off, and discolored leaves, when the leaves change color off-season.
The rate at which a tree decomposes varies on many factors such as tree species and age, climate as well as the number of fungi and insects present.
How do fallen trees provide life?
The nutrients a tree uses to build itself during its lifespan are spread into the soil when it dies and decomposes. This makes the soil richer for other plants to use around it, and they are essential for small trees to grow and replace the dead ones.
Fallen trees also sustain the many organisms, such as the fungi, beetles and earthworms. Which in turn feed the other animals that prey on them and so on.
Once a tree falls it also leaves behind more space in the forest so more light can reach the forest floor, allowing for other vegetation to grow.
Fallen trees that are hollow can also provide shelter for animals such as foxes and bears who make their dens in them.
Fun Activity
Have a look at one of the many fallen logs around Mighton Woods and see if you can spot the organisms that are playing their part in the decomposition of the wood.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen (Gaultheria) is an aromatic plant that is harvested for the oil within its leaves, known as Oil of Wintergreen. The oil contains methyl salicylate, that is used as flavoring for chewing gum and candies, as well as treatment for muscular aches and pains.
Like the Striped wintergreen, it also is a perennial evergreen that is native to North America.
The shiny, thick, tooth-edged leaves usually grow in a rosette at the base of the stem and during the summertime several white/pale pink flowers will grow from a terminal spike from the center of the plant. The bright red berry-like fruits of the plant grow after the flowers and contain many seeds. The berries of most species can be eaten raw or used in pies.
Warning – Do not eat Wintergreen if you are allergic to Aspirin.
Interesting Facts
Wintergreen oil is a common flavoring in products ranging from chewing gum, smokeless tobacco (American “dip” snuff), mouthwash, muscle ache cream, and is also a component of root beer.
Wintergreen oil is an ingredient in some vegetable-oil based lubricants used in firearm maintenance, including Seal1 and Frog Lube.
One milliliter of Wintergreen oil is equivalent to about 1860 mg of Aspirin, which is almost six times the strength of regular Aspirin tablets.
