A Second Life for a Tree
February 17, 2014 at 7:30 pm smithsoniangardens 2 comments
In the summer of 2013 a specimen lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) at the National Museum of Natural History had been in decline for several months. An investigation by Greg Huse, Smithsonian Gardens arborist, found very large girdling roots growing just below the soil surface. In his report Lacebark Pine # 122 Evaluation at NMNH he determined there was little to no chance that the tree could be rehabilitated. Within two months of issuing the report the tree turned completely brown and it was clear that it need to be removed.
Or did it? Could the once stately pine on the corner of Madison Drive and 9th Street that formed the border between the Butterfly Habitat Garden and the newly established Urban Bird Habitat find a second life?
As a mature specimen of this slow growing pine the tree exhibited extraordinary exfoliating bark in a patchwork of white, olive, light purple and silver. The multi-stemmed trunk was a striking structural element in the landscape that would be a significant loss. Luckily, there was a way to save this feature and in doing so support wildlife enhancing the value and educational lesson of the space. The tree was the perfect candidate to become a snag.
By turning the soon to be rotting trunk and branches into a snag it gains a new purpose in the Urban Bird Habitat serving as a space for nests, nurseries, storage, foraging, roosting and perching for birds, small mammals, and other wildlife in the city.
Here is how we did it:
The garden is a dynamic landscape and one must be prepared to deal with the changes that nature brings. Through creative thinking the Smithsonian Gardens’ staff discovered a great opportunity to turn what could have been a significant loss to gardens into a valuable resource. Today many museum visitors stop to look at this unique tree along the National Mall. Most seems puzzled by its presence but their questions are answered by the Snag interpretive panel.
So what do you think? Does your garden have a spot for a snag? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
-James Gagliardi, Smithsonian Gardens Horticulturist
Further Reading:
Living with Wildlife: Snags – The Wildlife Tree from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Entry filed under: Horticulture, Trees. Tags: birds, habitat garden, snag, urban gardens.
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1. bev | February 17, 2014 at 7:45 pm
I live on the Chesapeake Bay. When I bought this house last July, there was a large dead oak right at the water’s edge. At first I viewed it as nothing but a legal liability (for people walking under it). But as time went on and first ospreys and then a pair of bald eagles regularly perched there (the eagles still do now), I began to view it differently. Now I wouldn’t take it down for anything!
2. smithsoniangardens | February 18, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Thanks for sharing. As James mentioned, gardens and landscapes change and if we adapt our gardening to meet these changes we invite in the possibility of beautiful surprises, like bald eagle sightings!