Forest Service plants trees at Big Larch

SEELEY LAKE- The United States Forest Service planted 250 trees at Big Larch Campground on June 14. According to Quinn Carver, the Ranger for the Seeley Lake Ranger District, the project was to help provide shade at campsites for future Forest visitors. 

The trees were a mix of three- to four-year-old larch and ponderosa pine planted in small ground depressions. Around 25 District employees from silviculture, timber, recreation, fire and trails programs participated in the planting.  

The tree planting project was prompted after the District removed a large number of hazardous trees at Big Larch in 2018. According to Carver, the tree mortality at Big Larch was impacted by a Douglas-fir blowdown in 2018 where root systems were impacted by root rot. 

Root rot, known as Phaeolus schweinitzii, is a major disease in older trees that causes decay of the roots and lower stem. 

"When root disease hits the Douglas-fir it weakens the roots so then when the wind blows, it snaps and they go down," Carver said. 

Carver said they decided to plant larch because they are long lived with robust and deep root systems and do very well in exposed areas. While there is still a chance one will blow over, they are not as prone as other species, like the lodgepole. 

Ponderosa, which is known to grow at high elevations where they are exposed to high winds and lots of sunlight, produces a massive taproot to help anchor its extreme height. 

Carver said they planted more mature trees to reduce the chances of mortality. Year-old trees are particularly susceptible to being damaged by deer and people during the summer season. 

"This is a big open area here, where a lot of the trees blew down and where a lot of the trees had root disease in them," Carver said.  "So the goal here is to get older trees so that they take off and get bigger, faster, I guess, and have a better head start." 

According to Aric Burt, the Recreation Management Specialist for the Seeley Lake Ranger District, the trees will grow around a foot a year in the sun. He said they planted the trees purposely in small ground depressions, to allow moisture and other nutrients to collect. They also cut off the top of nearby grass to minimize competition. 

He said he hopes the trees will remain healthy, not just for the ecological health of Big Larch, but also for the general public's enjoyment. 

"Planting trees is super important for a lot of different reasons," Burt said. "Obviously, the ecological reasons and all the health of the planet and the ecosystem but humans have an amazing connection to trees. Not just for shade and, you know, building our houses out of, but we grew up around trees. Humans have relied on trees for every possible thing throughout history. So it's something that we have a great connection to."