Early Forestry Lesson from a Beaver
I was probably in sixth grade and checking my trapline along the lake at the south end of our farm when this lesson occurred.
I came along the shore and noticed that a couple of acres of huge Aspen trees had been toppled for no apparent reason.
And to top it off they had been chewed down, imagine the work that this must have taken. I have chopped down a few trees with an axe and let me tell you it is a LOT of WORK!
The trees were not utilized, other than the chew marks from where they were cut down and a few small twigs at the top it seemed to have no purpose.
No purpose unless you realize that Beavers do seem to know a bit about Forestry.
They apparently went to Forestry School and got their BS where they learned subjects like Silviculture and how tasty treats like Aspen and Birch NEED a clear cut in order to regenerate.
And when given the full sunlight of a clearcut these tasty treats are sure to sprout thousands of tasty young stems that will feed a family of hard working beavers all winter.
