A ranger, a redwood and a mistake turned good

Ranger Maura Ray with redwood

Here is a proud tree that was destined to face a challenge no redwood should. In a hot, dry, Southern California climate, a Coast Redwood just doesn’t have a very good shot at the life it had a right to expect. Its natural home is farther north and nearer the coast where it would receive heavy rain in winter and heavy fog in summer. These conditions foster a robust tree, tall enough to see farther than a soaring eagle and last long enough to witness epics in history books. But there was the injustice plain as day! Who knows how many years ago it was planted so prominently in an urban park in the city of Orange; specifically, Irvine Regional Park.

Photo by Jeff Bray

The price of misplacement eventually took its toll. It died while still in its prime. Who was the first to notice? Acorn Woodpeckers! When it comes to trees in critical condition, you can think of all woodpeckers as ambulance chasers. They see a profit coming and they’re eager to exploit it. We’ll get to why in a minute.

Now enter the park’s Supervising Ranger, Jim Simkins. Most rangers would order the tree hauled away, but after determining it is not an imminent risk of falling, Jim has allowed the tree to stand a while longer. But why keep it, you ask?

Acorn Woodpecker by John C. Avise

You see, Jim knows that the Acorn Woodpeckers have peppered the decaying redwood with hundreds of acorns for the winter. He knows, too, that though the woodpeckers aren’t intentionally generous to outsiders, their larder feeds other birds and wildlife in the park. Jays and squirrels are their most relentless thieves. Here’s an amusing side note. The thieves accidentally plant new oak trees for the woodpeckers by dispersing acorns in their travels. Other opportunists called acorn weevils also benefit by using the woodpecker’s nuts as nurseries. Naturally some weevils mature and escape before they are eaten, but by the luck of the draw a number become added protein. Not everyone gets a free ride!

Western Scrub Jay by Dave Furseth

Hold on! That’s not the end of the woodpeckers’ winnings! The dead redwood is also ideal for raising a family. By excavating deep holes inside, the birds create nurseries and places to hide. Complacency is not ever in the cards for woodpeckers, however! In time, other cavity nesters like bluebirds, chickadees and swallows may win those holes from the woodpeckers  fair and square. Let’s be clear, in the animal world there is a long line of ambulance chasers.

The Cavity Conservation Initiative applauds Ranger Jim Simkins for allowing the premature death of the redwood to serve a greater good for a little while longer.