Recently, the Northwood High school 's Advance Biology class took a
survey of the Eastern Hemlocks in the Totagatic Highlands around Frog Creek.
From the trees surveyed there was seventy-one point seven percent living and
twenty-eight point three percent dead. Which is a very good ratio. So far the
D.N.R. are doing a good job with this unique forest.
The Eastern Hemlock of the Totagatic Highlands are in good shape as of
this vary moment. But there is going to be a few actions taken to keep it looking
beautiful for years to come. After looking at my data that me and my fellow class
mates collected. There is a problem that pops right out. By looking at my bar
graph "Living and dead trees by size" for some odd reason most of the dead trees
are between the size of one hundred and fifty-one to two hundred circumference
in cm.
What is causing all of these healthy trees, that are suppose to live thousands
of years, to die at a early age? Do the trees need to be cut down at a certain
height and circumference? These are a few of the questions we ask our selves.
If they do decide to cut some of the trees down it will be a challenge to
grow new trees senesce white tail deer like to feed on young little saplings. But I
do think that it can be done by using a fence to keep deer out until they reach a
certain height.
Even though there are probably not that many people interested in the
hemlocks of Totagatic Highlands because of no commercial use. They should
look on the side of beauty and wildlife. Any good bird watcher will tell you how
important trees are to the hobby and...