Limberlost: Life After Death

The death of a tree provides for much of the surrounding ecosystem

"Every part of nature teaches that the passing away of one life is the making of room for another." - Henry David Thoreau

When a tree falls in a forest, it does far more than make a sound. It sets off a decades-long series of events that provides for the surrounding forest for over a hundred years!

Looking closely at the exposed root system of this fallen tree provides an intimate look into its life before its downfall. What appears as a tangled mess, is actually a sophisticated network of life-giving straws that draws up water and nutrients from the soil, as well as anchors the tree in place. However, the roots don't dig deep into the ground, despite the great size of the tree that they steadied. Due to the rocky nature of Shenandoah and the shallowness of the soil, many of the trees on the mountain have laterally growing root systems, meaning they spread out near the surface rather than shooting down taproots. This is why in so many places, hikers can admire trees growing right on top of a mossy boulder.

Unfortunately, this also means that natural events like windstorms can uproot the forest with ease. While this marks the end for most downed trees, it marks the beginning for many other inhabitants of the woods. The group of organisms called detritivores literally come out of the woodwork in search of their favored food source, decaying material. Things like worms, millipedes, and beetles will start chomping down and building colonies within the fallen trunk. This activity attracts larger animals like woodpeckers, rodents, and even bears that dig into the tree in search of grubs to eat. Finally, as time goes on, more decomposers like turkey tail fungi and slime molds appear, spreading their mycelia throughout the bark, sapping the remaining nutrients and further breaking down the wood.

Are there mushrooms growing on this log? Do you see signs of animals that may be using it for food or shelter? What other remnants of decay do you notice?
 

Decomposers and detritivores aside, this log will become a bustling metropolis of critters taking advantage of its materials. Salamanders and snakes retreat underneath the trunk during the heat of the day, small mammals hide from predators within the knots and holes, and deer stow their fawns amongst the downed branches. The uprooted base leaves behind a hole, or tree throw, which fills with water during the spring and early summer.

Is there water in this tree throw? Who might be found here when the water is high?
 

Long after its death, as this tree fully breaks down, it will eventually return to the soil. By the loss of one tree, space is made for new life to take root.