Skip to main content

Trees targeted for removal at Iroquois Refuge

By JIM NIGRO

According to one staff member of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, The Comprehensive Conservation Plan is a 15 year planning document calling for the layout of habitat management, strategy and public use opportunities, staffing, and infrastructure including buildings in and around Casey Rd. headquarters. The documentation of the plan should be completed by fall.

 One component of the CCP, habitat management, entails “conifer plantation.” Conifer plantation calls for the removal of non-native evergreens as well as some deciduous shrub species. The species targeted for removal are evergreens, including Norway spruce, Scotch pine and Australian pine. Some white pine, a native tree, will also be removed.  The process will be a twofold operation; some trees girdled, others taken by loggers.

The above mentioned tree species will be replaced with eastern hemlocks and a mix of hard wood species. “We are trying to make more of a natural system,” said the staff member.

The conifer plantation phase has caused concern for some, as indicated by an unsigned letter I received recently. While in no way discourteous, the author voiced concern at the notion of removing decades-old evergreens. The letter is as follows: 

“I write this letter to express my concern over the policy implemented on the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. They are considering girdling all the Norway spruce and other evergreens on the refuge. Their stated purpose is to remove non-native species of trees from the refuge. I have been eye witness to literally hundreds of mourning doves flocking to those spruce and pine trees at dusk. The spruce groves in particular have provided excellent cover, helping to establish a large population of mourning doves on the refuge.”  

“I have also witnessed coopers hawks and sharp shinned hawks hunting the spruce groves for doves. If the evergreen trees provide such excellent habitat for mourning doves, coopers hawks and sharp shinned hawks, which are all protected species, is it wise to destroy the habitat in which they thrive? The doves don’t seem to mind nesting in non-native species of trees!”

The writer makes good points – but he’s not done. Also, it should be noted, beginning in the second sentence of the paragraph below, the letter writer and Refuge staff seem to be in partial agreement.

“Surely the destruction of habitat will have a negative effect on these birds, upsetting the natural balance between bird, predator and habitat. If the Refuge wishes to restore native species of trees to the area, wouldn’t it be more productive to plant hemlock trees, which once flourished in the Alabama swamps?  As the hemlocks grow, the spruce and pines groves could be allowed to die out slowly, without causing such a negative impact on native populations of protected bird species. Nature moves slowly. Why not allow slow changes that can support populations of wild life without man’s drastic intrusions? Be a refuge for the birds. Isn’t that your mission?”

All things considered, there are those who see habitat management as a good thing while others   believe that nature, left to its own devices, works things out in its own way and in its own time.    

 

Karen Miconi

Mornin Jimmy ~ I agree with the author of the letter above. This is a "Wildlife Refuge", not a tree farm. You see like the DEC, there is money that has to be spent, and these guys have to create projects, to spend it on. Perfect example, The Bradly Swamp. The DEC drained it last year, and unfortunately it had a trickle affect. Because they did this, a couple more Beautiful ponds suffered as well. I did a small documentary on the devistation. Ill have to publish it to my YOUTUBE. The pond I am speaking of, is where I caught the Mama Bass. She is one of the biggest Bass I had ever caught and released in my life. We would catch 30 bass in a morning each. Now, there is a BIG drain pipe draining the pond, and no fish to be caught. There is still the most unique, and biggest Beaver Hut, I have ever had the pleasure of seeing still there. I also have video of the Beaver couple, and Mike and I used to pull up to the hut while fishing, and listen to the babies spouting off to their mother. They were thriving then, until we found them drown under the water in traps. I never cryed so hard, as that day. Mike had to drag me away, cause I wanted to pull them out.
We payed a visit to the officer for that zone(whom I might add has a large bass pond in his back yard), only to be dismissed and treated rudely. The long and short of it is, Leave The Wildlife and Trees alone!~!! Spend all these thousands of dollars on other things, as to Better the area, not Rape it...
Sorry Jimmy, Im very passionate about wildlife areas, and the Preservation of them, not the Destruction. Have a Great Day!!

Mar 27, 2010, 8:31am Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Hi Karen.....thanks for your input. I enjoy time spent on the refuge, enjoy wildlife as you do and sorry to see the trees go.
I appreciate your passion for the wild places, Karen - there is a good deal to be learned from nature.

Sorry to hear about the beaver kits. We had a den on the creek bank a few years back, not too far from the house and by placing an ear to the "stick pile" we were able to hear young inside. Unlike those you encountered, the kits on the creek bank were able to mature.

Mar 27, 2010, 9:22am Permalink
C. M. Barons

Karen- you are indeed passionate about your relationship to wildlife and outdoor recreation. That is great. However, the do-s and don't-s of human intervention in wild settings has changed in the last 100 years. One of the current aims of wildlife preservationists is to repair the damage done by previous human intervention. When Jim refers to the removal of "non-native" species, he means trees that are not native to either western New York or the conditions of the place they are growing. Many people assume that a tree is a tree and just plant it with little consideration of the impact on existing species or the ability of that tree to survive in the eco-system it is being added to.

Hemlock trees are not only native to our area, they are best suited for the wet conditions of a swamp. If you've ever been in the Bergen Swamp, one whole section is known as Hemlock Knoll. The Hemlock is an evergreen- just as the Norway Spruce, Scotch and Australian Pines. As the names suggest, none of the three existing pines is a native tree, they are not suited for wetlands, and the Norway Spruce in particular is susceptible to wind and ice damage.

I cannot address your other concerns about ponds and water drainage. I'm not familiar with the locations you describe. In a general way, I can say that often natural wetlands are drained for agricultural expediency- without concern for the impact on existing plants and animals. And the reverse also occurs- areas not suited for ponds have ponds constructed on them.

My father, who was an active state conservationist, told me that when the DEC built its Conservation Camp in Rushford in 1952, tons of clay had to be shipped in to hold water in the pond they excavated. Obviously the soil conditions were not suited to a pond, yet in the name of conservation, a pond was built anyway! Conservation has evolved since those days. The latest aim is to preserve natural settings as opposed to developing recreation areas. The emphasis has shifted from making humans at-home in the wilderness to restoring the conditions favorable to native plants and animals. That may not jive with the wishes of sportsmen in the short-term, but the long-term impact on native species vitality will be an improvement.

The real waste of resources is delivering captive-breed species to areas that are not conducive to supporting those species for the sole purpose of satisfying hunters and fishermen. True conservationism should support all species- not just popular game species (AKA: trophies for the wall).

Mar 27, 2010, 4:57pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

Chris, The Trees that they are removing, have proven that They Can Survive, by growing to Maturity there. Whats the point of taking them down now, when by clearcutting them, destroys habitat, and causes Surface Erosion. The fact that they are not Native to our area, means they should be Preserved and Cherished all the more. What harm are they doing?
My husband happens to be a tree expert. He went to RIT for Wood Tech, and The School of American Craftsmen. One of his mentors was World Renound, Furniture Designer, and Artist, Wendell Castle.
He cant understand the advantage of removing the trees. They are thriving, and should be left alone.
Now a logging company, would be licking their chops to get ahold of these trees. He cant even begin to estimate the value of them. Is there another motive to this? Maybe the almighty dollar?? Always...
Wildlife and Habitat have a Natural Balance. The trees grew there, by the Grace of God. Leave them alone.

Mar 27, 2010, 6:32pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Later in life, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater said that one of his greatest regrets was supporting construction of the Glen Canyon Dam, creating Lake Powell. Lake Powell buried under water a thriving habitat of immeasurable beauty.

That's damage man has done to a natural area that can never be undone.

If a wetlands can be returned to its natural state, by removing non-native species, which as Chris says, are susceptible to disease and push aside the natural species that are needed for a balanced ecosystem, that seems like a potentially positive move.

Karen, not everything is a conspiracy. You know, some people are capable of doing what they think is right without ulterior motives.

Mar 27, 2010, 6:51pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

Your right Howard, not everything is a conspiracy. Im just saying NYS's money is not, in my opinion being spent on things that benefit all of us. I just think all these grants, and monies could be better spent. The balance you speak of happens naturally. Man has caused the distruction of nature's balance and beauty...

Mar 27, 2010, 9:59pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

Karen, I have no documentation- one way or other, but it is probable that the trees pending removal were planted- not naturally seeded. Pine cones do not travel far from the source-tree. It is doubtful that non-native species would be growing without human assistance.

Another non-native issue that parallels this story- states that border the great lakes- particularly Michigan are trying to bar invasive marine species from migrating from ship's ballast through the canals that interconnect the lakes. Note that if the canals didn't exist- neither would the threat. The critical issue is that these species will crowd out the native species.

The great lakes threat eclipses the Iroquois tree threat in impact on sport fishing and economic loss, but it is no different in terms of human foibles that upset natural ecosystems.

Mar 28, 2010, 11:49am Permalink
Karen Miconi

Chris, so your saying man planted the trees? Then it makes no scence to take them down now. ??
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zXeUvDOMgGY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zXeUvDOMgGY&hl=en_US&fs=1&&quot; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Mar 28, 2010, 3:46pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

Karen, I hope I don't come off as argumentative. I really just want to present all the angles on this subject.

First off, there are three different wildlife areas in close proximity that are together known as the Alabama Swamp Complex. The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (of which we are speaking) is a federal habitat and species management area. It is not a New York State operation. It was created in 1958 as a species management area devoted to preserving native species of plants and animals.

Also part of the complex are the Oak Orchard Wildlife Mgt and Tonawanda Wildlife Mgt Areas- both operated by New York State. The state areas offer broader recreational activities than the federal reserve. Activities such as camping and picnicking are not permitted at Iroquois. All allow hunting, fishing and trapping usage with permits and lottery controls. The Tonawanda Wildlife Mgt Area is primarily devoted to migratory wildfowl management.

Secondly, the trees in question are either European or Asian species. The Scots Pine is best known as a Christmas Tree. Although the European variety is used for lumber production, the American variety is too knotty to be practical. Norway Spruce is highly susceptible to white pine weevil infestation. Though it survives the infestations, the resulting deformities usually render the tree useless for lumber. The Australian Pine is an Asian variety that is also found in Autralia. It normally grows on ocean beaches. It resembles, but is not a true pine; it is deciduous. The Australian Pine like many other hardwoods alters soil chemistry to discourage competition. In this case, the Australian Pine prevents native species from growing near it. It was originally imported to Florida for use as reinforcement to canals and lagoons. Obviously, the Alabama wetlands is a freshwater- not saltwater marsh. The Australian Pine is completely alien to freshwater marshes.

Mar 28, 2010, 5:24pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

If you listen to the lyrics sung by Geddy, I think you will understand the interconnection between species and maybe discern the temperments of clashing species.

Mar 28, 2010, 5:28pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

Chris I would never think of you that way. I respect your knowlege and imput. I have 2 Oak Trees that I am nurturing to maturity. 1 is 20 foot, and 10-15 years old,(as it takes forever to grow) and the other, I was lucky enough to have found growing, it is 5 foot now. My prize possesion is the Larch I planted. It is a soft needled pine, that looses its needles every fall. I think a better way for the IWR's project would be to selectively cut some of the pines, and plant the hardwoods around them. Like in the song, the Oaks are greedy, and they take up all the light. They are strong, and will do well.
I cant save the world, though I think I can, but I can stay firm in my beliefs, and trust my intuition. Im sorry if I come off, all for nothing, Im workin on that. Sometimes when I comment, I come off a little strong. That is why I want Howard to cancel my account. At times it makes me defensive, and I feel like Im always beating a Dead Horse. If Howard would do this, then I would have no choice but to refrain from commenting. Do it for "me" Howard. Its time. Please,
I still love your site, and will read it every morning (:

Mar 28, 2010, 7:40pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

As for canceling your account, Karen. I hope you don't. One thing this world needs a whole lot more of is dialogue. Too often we surround ourselves with like-minded people and shut out other points of view. There's no law that says everyone has to agree, and one of my favorite sign-offs to a conversation destined to escalate to argument is agreeing to disagree.

Diversity is not only the spice of life, it is the key to progress. So keep your account and keep helping the rest of us progress.

Mar 28, 2010, 11:00pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Couldn't have said that any better, C.M. Karen, it's still a free country, even though some want to make us feel it isn't. You have the right to voice your opinion as much as you want and one of the great things about this sight is the different points of view, put out honestly and not hidden behind noms de plume. Stick around.

Mar 29, 2010, 7:06am Permalink

Authentically Local