The wind storms the last weekend in June, 2012, caused quite
extensive damage to the large trees that had grown in Wildwood Park for many
years. Very old, very large trees were brought down with what must have been loud
shattering cracks of sound. Much of this occurred on the west slope and many
tree tops now lie in the creek that flows through.
As I started walking across the upper west slope at the
trail head behind Bobcat Stadium, I had a more open view than usual of the bike
path below because limbs and trees had been blown to the ground.
One of the most dramatic sights was a HUGE (perhaps 10 feet
in diameter!) disk of roots and dirt that met me when I came around a slight
turn in the trail.
Then I looked directly down to see that the hard dirt path
under my feet had opened up just a few steps beyond to a gaping hole with large
slabs of rocks on it.
My camera could not fully capture the impact this sight
made on me.
On the eastern slope, winds caused the top portion of a big
tree beside the Grand Staircase to fall to the ground bringing with it a very
large bee community.
Large slabs of honey comb were strewn on the forest floor
as the tree splintered on impact. What a sad way for those little critters to
have to break-up housekeeping.
Oh, I did promise some good news - It is very interesting and heartening to see what wasn't
damaged: Before the winds, a huge old tree grew at the end of a wooden
footbridge in the middle of the park. Its roots seemed to reach out to invite
hikers to cross the bridge and explore the cool, dark forest. That tree was
uprooted, but it fell to the side and missed hitting the bridge and a message
board kiosk beside the path to the bridge! Limbs did have to be cleared from
the bike path.
Losing so much of the shade that cooled the western slope
will surely make a difference in the plants that grow there. Those that thrive in less light will perhaps
die out or grow in outer places. However, those that enjoy the sun’s warm rays
may flower and grow hardier. The animal life will, of course, also change.
We
will have to wait patiently and observe.