Who owns the tree?

cutting edge joshua tree When trees are cut down, wetlands soils can become wetter over time since the root systems of these trees are no longer drawing water from the ground. Trees, via photosynthesis in their leaves, are constantly removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and returning oxygen.

Careful cutting of wetland woody trees and shrubs can be effective in opening a closed canopy to the point of producing a response in the plant community.

What else can you or can't you do?

Often it might be helpful to experiment on a small part of the wetland to determine both the logistics of the site and to gauge the response of the treatment before it is widely applied. The Clean Water Act does not prohibit the cutting of vegetation above the ground surface, but does prohibit removal of any belowground stumps or roots (Tulloch Rule). Cut and prune the trees and shrubs at or slightly above the ground surface.

Leave all stumps and large roots in place. You may mow herbaceous (soft stemmed) vegetation in a wetland. Generally, in the first 75 feet from the normal high-water line or the upland edge of a wetland, 40% percent of the volume of trees four inches or more in diameter, measured at 4 1/2 feet above ground level can be removed in any ten year period, although no “clear-cut openings” (openings in the forest canopy greater than square feet) are permitted.

next rainfall.

The best way you can protect your wetland is to establish a chemical-free zone surrounding your entire wetland and any streams, lakes, or other surface water. This zone should include a densely vegetated buffer strip, feet wide, to provide extra filtering capacity to prevent chemicals from reaching your wetland.