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In Praise of Brush Piles
Alan Haney
Piling brush is an activity more forest owners
should consider. In addition to healthy physical exercise, there are
many ecological and aesthetic benefits.
In well managed multiple-use forests, periodic timber harvests
generate coarse woody debris (CWD). Depending on species, this brush
decays back into the soil within five to ten years. If firewood is
harvested from a forest, less residual coarse woody debris is left.
In either case, but especially in situations with little CWD, brush
piles provide sufficient structure to provide many of the benefits
of CWD in old-growth forests.
In the absence of disturbance, old-growth forests accumulate
considerable CWD. Woody debris helps to protect tree seedlings, and
provides cover for a host of invertebrate and vertebrate animals.
Some species, such as yellow birch and hemlock, find more favorable
seedbeds on rotted logs or stumps. Scattered, brush rots away in a
few years, soon losing its favorable structural benefits to the
forest. Brush piles, on the other hand, last much longer than
scattered slash, create richer sites for regenerating trees, and
serve as surrogate CWD for the benefit of animal diversity.
I inherited my brush-piling tendencies from my father and
grandfather. I doubt they fully appreciated all the ecological
benefits, but they enjoyed harvesting some of the rabbits that
thrived among the brush piles. They also enjoyed watching the birds
that took refuge in the brush piles on bitter winter nights, and the
occasional red fox, weasel, or skunk that hunted around them. If
water or wetlands are nearby, mink also frequent brush piles. As the
rabbit and small mammal populations increase, more hawks and owls
hunt the woodlands. In northern Wisconsin, even bobcat and fisher
find brush piles attractive habitat. My brother had a brush pile
that was home to a beautiful black rat snake for several years. On
warm spring days, the snake could often be found sunning on the
pile.
Increased diversity resulting from piling brush is not restricted to
animals. Tree seedlings that require rich humus or which otherwise
would be consumed by deer can often survive in old piles or in the
edges of younger piles where they are protected from predation,
wind, and excessive loss of moisture. Of course rabbits may damage
some, but predators keep the rabbit population in check. Moreover,
rabbits are most likely to damage woody plants during the winter
when protective snow buries young seedlings, especially in the edges
of brush piles. With the flush of spring growth, rabbits turn their
attention to more succulent forage leaving the young trees t o grow
Growing up in southern Ohio, I can recall another benefit of brush
piles along the margins of woods. Blackberry canes often grew larger
and produced heavier crops of berries around the margins of old
brush piles. The rabbits or groundhogs that buried into the old
piles undoubtedly provided additional fertilizer for the plants that
grew there. The dark, loamy soil left when a pile completely decays
remains for years afterwards continuing to nurture the berries and
trees that eventually replace them.
I once shifted the ecology of a natural red pine stand with brush
piles. The mature pines were being invaded by hardwoods, especially
red maple. Not being able to use prescribed fire on the site, I
resorted to cutting the young hardwoods in an attempt to keep the
pines open. I piled the brush for aesthetic reasons. The following
spring I was surprised to find that most of the remaining young red
maple trees had been girdled by hungry rabbits whose population had
swelled, apparently as a result of better cover in the brush piles.
I decided to experiment and cut invading hardwoods in a nearby
natural pine stand but did not pile the brush. Few of the maples
were girdled the following spring whereas most were girdled in the
area where I piled the brush.
Our dog is very fond of brush piles. Each pile offers the promise of
a good chase and is approached with all senses on full alert.
(Figure). She now investigates every pile, even one in the process
of being made, apparently not discriminating between established
piles and new ones. Infrequently, but often enough to keep her
expectations high, she will flush a rabbit that makes a frantic dash
for the next closest pile. I suspect the exercise is good for the
rabbit and know that it is beneficial for our dog.
Brush piles can be even more effective when placed on gullies or in
areas where erosion or disturbance has disrupted the soil. The brush
not only hides the scars, but like a bandage, speeds the healing
process. Brush piles also benefit the diversity of old fence rows
(Figure).
Clearly, piling brush provides only indirect economic gain. I enjoy
working in my woods, however, and find brush piling a welcome
diversion from cutting timber or firewood. One of my woodlands is
near the house. I often go out at dawn or late afternoon before or
after other work, and spend half an hour splitting firewood and
piling brush. Not everyone will find this form of exercise
enjoyable, but I do. As I pile brush, I can also study the forest.
It is during this time I make many management decisions, often down
to specific trees….should it be left to mature, or will it come out
with the next entry? I examine the reproduction of trees, and keep
an eye out for evidence of wildlife. This management is similar to
that employed by a good farmer who frequently walks his fields,
stopping to pull weeds, and checking the health of his crop.
Piling brush is one of those activities that provides multiple
benefits, from good exercise, more wildlife, better tree
reproduction, aesthetics, or just the benefit of spending time in
the woods. It requires no investment other than your time, and the
rewards will be realized for many years.
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