Save a Forest in Southworth, WA

Southworth Forest Update:

Deer Rub Damage to Trees Increases in the Southworth Forest

Posted February 20, 2023 by Southworth Forest

Exhibit 10E: A damaged grand fir is shown. The tree survived but lost all lower branches. (2022)

One of the leading reasons why there is no younger generation of conifers in the Southworth forest of Port Orchard, WA is because of increasing deer populations. Young bucks rub their antlers against the trunks of small to moderately-sized trees, girdling and killing the tree. Almost every conifer of 5 to 15 years of age volunteering in the forest without protection has been killed by deer since 2020.

These worsening deer impacts are especially pronounced on the Douglas and Grand fir species, though the deer have been targeting Sitka spruce (despite their prickly needles), Western red cedar, and White alder as well. The cedars tend to suffer from nibbling by the deer, too, though they can usually overcome such damage in otherwise favorable conditions. (The same applies to native willows.)

The deer situation in the Southworth forest has been noticeably worsened by the deforestation of the neighboring acreage at 11090 SE Southworth Dr. by Clint and Meghan Edwards. The new pasture space on the Edwards parcel has attracted far more deer to the area, and the deep rub impacts on trees in the remaining, surrounding forests have required additional measures be taken to protect small and even moderately-sized trees.

While smaller gardens use techniques like Irish Spring soap in mesh bags, predator urine, or aluminum baking trays blowing in the wind to keep deer away, such measures are ineffective for forests spread over acres. Realistically, each tree has to be protected with some kind of mesh or wire to thwart the deer. Some landowners have found success driving rebar into the ground on either side of the tree's trunk, extending three or four feet up along the trunk.

At the Southworth forest, this reality has meant spending many hundreds of dollars on stakes and wire fencing to protect each tree and ensure long-term survival. Still, even larger trees are being damaged more frequently now. Below is some of the deer rub evidence, conveyed to Kitsap County environmental reviewers in response to the Edwards' permit proposal to legalize their forest destruction.

Exhibit 10A: A damaged Sitka spruce is shown. The tree survived but lost branches on one side. (2021)

Exhibit 10B: A damaged Scotch pine is shown. The tree survived but lost all lower branches. (2021)

Exhibit 10C: Damaged Douglas fir and alders are shown. The fir tree died. (2020)

Exhibit 10D: A damaged Douglas fir is shown. The tree survived. (2020)

Exhibit 10F: A damaged alder is shown. The tree died. (2022)

Exhibit 10G: A damaged Douglas fir is shown. The tree died. (2020)

Exhibit 10H: A damaged giant sequoia is shown. The tree's fate is to be determined. The Edwards' northwestern entrance gate is seen in the background. This area has seen several trees and shrubs damaged by deer since the conversion despite efforts to protect new buffer trees with wire fencing. (2022)

Exhibit 10I: A damaged Western red cedar is shown. The tree died. The Edwards conversion is seen in the background. (2023)

Exhibit 10J: A damaged Western red cedar is shown. The tree survived. The Edwards conversion is seen in the background. (2023)

Per State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) evaluation, the relevant WAC 197-11-444 elements for these deer damage impacts are:

• (1) Natural environment > (d) Plants and animals > (i) Habitat for and numbers or diversity of species of plants, fish, or other wildlife