About Our Dying Forest

We live in an eco system that is fragile and on-going.  This forest is primarily a lodgepole forest and has a cycle of life that we are watching come to an end.

About 120 years ago this forest was burned by the Ute Indians in hopes of running out the whiteman.  A typical lodgepole forest has life span of 140 years.  As the canopy tightens and the forest floor receives less sunlight the trees weaken, and the mountain pine beetle begins to attack the trees.  

If you notice, the trees pinecones remain even after several years of the grey color you see.  All it will take is a lightning strike and the forest is ignited.  The pine cones are called serotinous cones and will only release their seed in tremendous heat.  The fire races the canopy burning the trees and the pine beetle, while releasing the seeds to start the new cycle.  The constant fire prevention methods of putting the fires out has contributed to the delay of this cycle.  When the fire event happens it will be large and very devastating.

So the next time you are here, consider the grey and red forest has reached it's end, and we all can watch the beginning.