Why I Hate Tree Removal

[GlennButler]

Three weeks ago we removed two 3' dbh willow oaks from this property. A lonely great horned owl peers out from his stumpy perch where his lofty home previously stood. They're permanent residents, so I assume he will have to fight for a new territory.

.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

 

[JeffGu]

It's possible you're looking at this all wrong... I bet he's thinking, "I'm closer to the rodents, now! This is great!"

Ok, maybe not. But, you're right... there's a downside to it all.

 

[Gorman]

At least the owl wasn’t in the tree when it came down. I had that happen and had to take a screech owl to a wildlife rehab center.

 

[Z'sTrees]

Tree guys gotta eat, same as an owl.

 

[chipper1]

Glad you didn't grind the stump, where would he go.
I've waited for nesting birds to do removals, bit I've cut a few down too, all depends on the situation.

 

[oldoakman]

I've had several calls over the years from local tree companies that run into a Hawks nest usually in a tall loblolly pine. They call all excited saying that the hawk was dive bombing them. I had to inform them that the hawk had young in the nest and if they disturbed or killed the young they would be open to federal felony charges. They waited til the young fledged.

 

[ATH]

I've had several calls over the years from local tree companies that run into a Hawks nest usually in a tall loblolly pine. They call all excited saying that the hawk was dive bombing them. I had to inform them that the hawk had young in the nest and if they disturbed or killed the young they would be open to federal felony charges. They waited til the young fledged.

Maybe??? I've talked to both state DNR wildlife officers and USFWS about this in regards to a logging operation on private lands. They couldn't (or wouldn't) give me a straight answer of "no, it is illegal to cut those trees". It was "we'd at least like you to wait until they have fledged.". I explained I understood that, but is it legal after that...or would the landowner and/or logger be subject to prosecution? "We really like them to do it after fledging".

 

[Toomuchsawdust]

I very much dislike removals. I absolutely love preservation and PHC

 

[oldoakman]

Maybe??? I've talked to both state DNR wildlife officers and USFWS about this in regards to a logging operation on private lands. They couldn't (or wouldn't) give me a straight answer of "no, it is illegal to cut those trees". It was "we'd at least like you to wait until they have fledged.". I explained I understood that, but is it legal after that...or would the landowner and/or logger be subject to prosecution? "We really like them to do it after fledging".

I checked a number of sources and believe them to be accurate. Once the young fledged, the nest is usually abandoned, at least for sharpshins and coopers Hawks. Eagles keep adding to the nest though.

 

[oldoakman]

I very much dislike removals. I absolutely love preservation and PHC

X2+

 

[ATH]

I checked a number of sources and believe them to be accurate. Once the young fledged, the nest is usually abandoned, at least for sharpshins and coopers Hawks. Eagles keep adding to the nest though.

Biologically...agree 100%. I was just saying the Federal protections seemed vague on private land when I spoke with those who would enforce such laws. I called asking about Heron nests (which are not only reused, but the colony is expanded into a rookery over time) in ash trees that were being considered for harvest in a woods. That conversation expanded to other protected birds...and didn't yield any more concrete answers.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Having feathers found on the ground from a migratory bird is illegal...Federal Law. Almost any bird is considered migratory...so be careful. Meeting with the Freddies can be expensive!

You could contact someone at a Federal wild life refuge.