Rain, rain, and more rain can sum up our spring and summer so far this year – much to the dismay of forest professionals. Wet working conditions are typically frowned upon for people who make their living in the woods, and with good reason. Muddy landings, slimy woods roads, rutting skid trails, stuck equipment, and wet boots can cause headaches and lead to some extra unwanted days off. It may also add on costs such as extra fill, jumping wood to a drier landing, or even moving machines to an entirely new job. These factors can lead to some stressful times and that is why most associate wet conditions with less-than-ideal logging conditions.
Now I’m surely not advocating for more rain, we could use a long break from the wet stuff, but we might as well look at a few of the positives that come from going home with wet boots.
Soil Scarification/Seeding
Wet conditions soften up the ground and when machines or treetops contact the softened soil, it creates a little more scarification. This exposed soil allows seeds to penetrate more easily. With the already moist soil, these seeds can quickly germinate, expediting the regeneration process.
Increased Nutrition For Wildlife
While some may argue that a cold and wet spring/summer can negatively affect wildlife, a warm and wet summer can have some added benefits. Lush forest floors and green fields provide great food sources for all kinds of wildlife. Do extra lush forests/fields equate to more nutritional value and larger antler growth on whitetails? We’ll find out this fall. Vernal ponds, wetlands, or intermittent streams, also allow amphibians and insects to thrive, which many predators rely on. In general, I would argue that the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to a wet summer and wildlife.
Increased Tree/Vegetation Growth
Within reason, wetter growing seasons will increase the growth of trees and vegetation. By studying the growth rings after a tree is harvested it can be determined that wetter than average years produce larger growth rings than years will less than average rainfall. Most fruit bearing trees/vegetation typically produce more tonnage of fruit during wet summers also. Will this year be a good year for berry picking?
By playing devils advocate, I tried to point out a few positives to this abnormally wet summer. We must take what mother nature gives us, work with what we have, and think of the glass half full. Wet summer logging conditions can be more difficult, a bit stressful, and sometimes more costly. But we need those trees regenerating, deer antlers growing large, and nothing beats a homemade blueberry muffin. Especially with a cup of coffee while watching the rain bounce off the windshield in the morning!
