Wildlife and Danger Tree Classification 2023 PDF

ENVR 160 Wildlife and Surveying & Field Measurements M.Croppo Danger Tree Classification INTRODUCTION  Wildlife trees are an important part ecosystems.  They provide habitat for many...

ENVR 160 Wildlife and Surveying & Field Measurements M.Croppo Danger Tree Classification INTRODUCTION  Wildlife trees are an important part ecosystems.  They provide habitat for many animals and contribute to stand-level biodiversity.  Wildlife tree management only began in 1985 in BC  Can be complicated due to overlap with human safety. INTRODUCTION "To promote the conservation of wildlife trees and associated stand-level biodiversity in a safe and operationally efficient manner, in forest, park and urban environments." INTRODUCTION Wildlife Tree Legislation:  Under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) and the Wildlife Act, it is an offence to damage, alter, or destroy land etc. set aside for wildlife. INTRODUCTION In BC, 80 species and ~15% of the province’s birds, mammals, and amphibians rely on wildlife trees to feed and shelter themselves. INTRODUCTION  Woodpeckers  Nuthatches  Owls  Wood Ducks  Marten  Fisher  Flying Squirrels  Black Bears INTRODUCTION Snags, deciduous trees, and large veteran trees make up the most important wildlife tree habitat features. WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? Wildlife trees are any standing dead or live tree that has special characteristics that may provide valuable habitat for the conservation or enhancement of wildlife. WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? Wildlife Tree Formation:  Various life/decay stages.  Usually formed by biotic and abiotic factors: ▪ Insects ▪ Fire ▪ Fungi ▪ Weather WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? Wildlife tree attributes:  Natural cavities  Chimney’s  Cavity excavation and feeding holes  Heart rot  Loose bark  Forks and branching  Dead/spike tops  Snags  Witches brooms WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? Natural Cavities:  Created by natural disturbances such as wind and ice break tree branches or damage entire trees. Chimney’s:  Formed by fire or rot generally in Cw. WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? Primary Cavity Excavation:  Birds dig out its own nest site ie: Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees. WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? Secondary Cavity Excavation:  Animals that take advantage of abandoned cavities, or sometimes even kick other species out ie: Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, House Wrens, and some owls. WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE?  Heart rot, loose bark, snags, dead/broken tops. WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE?  Witches brooms WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE?  Abnormal branching WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? Ecological Values:  Wildlife trees are amazing mini habitat and ecosystems that support approximately 25% of all forest dwelling terrestrial vertebrates in BC. WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? Wildlife Trees Species Support Elements of the Ecosystem Such As:  Fungi  Plants  Invertebrates  Birds  Amphibians  Reptiles  Mammals WHAT IS A WILDLIFE TREE? Wildlife Tree Uses Include:  Uses for various species include:  Nesting  Feeding  Communication (drumming and marking)  Roosting  Shelter https://www.youtube.com/wat  Overwintering ch?v=WgSJWHsAL-s&t=15s RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Not All Wildlife Trees Are Equal:  The value of a wildlife tree is dependant on the user and the use.  Most important features are tree height, diameter, decay stage, tree location, and tree mortality. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Most Valuable Wildlife Tree Species:  Generally, a native species. 1. Douglas-fir & Western Larch 2. Ponderosa Pine 3. Trembling Aspen and Cottonwood 4. Cedars with hollow cavities 5. Hemlocks & True Firs Fd that were purposely topped to create snags for wildlife habitat. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Identifying Important Wildlife Tree Characteristics:  Greater than 15 m tall.  Greater than 30 cm DBH (interior) and greater than 70 cm DBH (coastal).  Tree classes 2 -6 are considered most valuable.  Wind firm, sound root system. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Identifying Important Wildlife Tree Characteristics:  Broken top.  Some large branches.  Some intact/loose bark.  Cavities and feeding excavation.  Some evidence of decay (conks, fungi or cankers). RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Important Features that Increase the Value of WT’s:  Height and diameter  Decay stage  Location  Distribution and Tree Mortality Agents RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Height and Diameter:  Larger diameter trees have more value.  More stable trees.  Better nesting habitat.  Long-term habitat. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Decay Stage:  Different stages offer different benefits and habitat options. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Location:  Topographical locations surrounding WT’s offer different habitats. Cheam wetlands near Chilliwack BC. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Distribution and Tree Mortality:  WT’s don’t tend to have an even distribution.  Mortality is dependant on the disease or agent that killed it. Armillaria root rot center. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Classifying High Wildlife Tree Values by their Characteristics RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Wildlife Tree Classification:  Separates Conifers vs Hardwoods.  Determines the general health and vigour of the tree.  Looks at the stage of decay the tree is in based on certain features. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Class 1 (deciduous and coniferous):  Live, healthy trees.  No structural defects or injuries.  No compromised structural strength. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Class 2 (coniferous and deciduous):  Live trees with some visible external defects.  Some compromised structural strength.  The presence of pathological indicators. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Class 3 (coniferous only):  RECENTLY dead tree.  Presence of decay.  Needles still present.  Bark still tight. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Class 4 (coniferous only):  Dead tree.  Presence of decay.  Needles/fine twigs are now gone.  Bark has begun to loosen. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Class 5 (coniferous only):  Dead tree.  Most to all limbs are now gone.  No broken top yet.  Presence of rot and cavity nester use. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Class 5 (deciduous only):  Sapwood and heartwood are very soft.  Stage before the tree falls to the ground.  Parts of the bole missing/ most limbs gone.  ½ it’s original height. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Class 6 & 7 (coniferous only):  Branches missing/ large slabs of bark gone.  More cavity nester use due to advanced decay.  2/3 to ½ it’s original height. RANKING WILDLIFE TREES Class 8 & 9 (coniferous only):  Sapwood completely gone.  Heartwood rotted through.  Extensive rot. DANGER TREES What is a Danger Tree?  A tree that is present in situations where people/workers are operating or recreating.  Exhibits unstable characteristics.  Is determined to be potentially hazardous by a qualified assessor. DANGER TREES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =hZX52D49QBg DANGER TREES Assessing Dangerous Characteristics:  WorkSafe BC and OHS guidelines.  A wildlife tree (regardless of whether dead or alive) is considered dangerous to a worker due to: ▪ Its location or lean. ▪ Its physical damage. ▪ Overhead condition ▪ Deterioration of its limbs, stem, or root system DANGER TREES Danger Tree Indicators:  Dead, broken, forked, cracked top.  Lightning scars.  Witches brooms.  Large dead limbs.  Broken or hanging branches.  Large cankers on the bole of the tree.  Split trunk.  Extensive rot.  Damaged/exposed root system. DANGER TREES Common Management Options:  Retain whenever possible.  Mitigate risk (Installation of a no work zone NWZ).  Removal of the hazardous part of the tree.  Establish within a wildlife tree reserve or patch.