The Story of an ‘Open Grown’ Ent

Here stands another Ent. After dominating an old growth white pine stand along aslope as a for more than a century, it now assumes the Ent phase of its role int he functioning of the forest ecosystem. The internal heartwood which stood strong and resistant to attack and decay has now yielded to insect consumption and provides cavities for birds and small mammals to seek refuge in. Life abounds in the Ent’s physical structure.

But this Ent looks different from the tall straight standing boles of the denser old growth. Unlike those, this one still has branches reaching far out from its trunk. That pattern is a legacy of life in an area of abundant light and no close competition. It was as a living tree what is termed an ‘open grown’ specimen.And why was this? As a seed many years ago it fell on the south facing slope of a eroding river valley. In that location it enjoyed a different growth form where at an early age branches that sprouted found lots of light and grew out to be great limbs. And now, in this Ent form a Cooper’s hawk perches on the sprawling limbs to gain a visual advantage on the small birds that are its prey. And occasionally, the limbs are a roost for a white headed bald eaglet hat peruses the river reach below watching for careless fish or waterfowl.

That eagle once had a more intimate engagement the human society that now occupies the old forest. On the floodplain below the Ent, a resident had built an artificial pond stocked with colourful koi. The owner once emerged to watch theraptor flying off with a prize, bright yellow specimen clutch in its talons. I surmise this is the eagle equivalent of Chinese take-out.

By Gord Miller, Chair of Earthroots

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