Timber!

The US Fish and Wildlife Service recommends letting the dead and dying trees alone in the woods.  There are at least 200 species needing dead and dying trees to thrive. Many dead trees make great nesting and feeding areas for wildlife.  In my area, there are numerous Great Blue Heron rookeries.. Their large twiggy nests are set a top dead trees in wetlands.  Decaying trees are hosts to many species of mushrooms and fungi. In some places of the country dead trees are more valuable than the lumber they could yield  because the economic impact of wild mushroom harvesting, such as the wild Morel, is greater.

A few days after a recent snow storm,  I was at Maudsley State Park to paint. Not having my snow shoes to traipsed through the snow covered lanes, I walked along the plowed Curzon Mill Road in search of subject matter.  Succumbed to the chain saw, a large pine tree has been felled and  dismembered. I am not sure if the tree was alive or dead at the time it was cut down but it was in a area where it could be a danger to barn and people if it toppled. Many of these old growth firs at the park have been toppling over. (See my blog post, Old Growth Pines Trees). Patron safety is a major priority at the State Park esp. along road ways.

With my critical eye, I viewed the remains piled haphazardly near the road side. Cylindrical shapes are wonderful forms to paint especially with rough bark, textured coverings.  Yes, this is what I want to paint today!