Save a Forest in Southworth, WA

Southworth Forest Update:

Southworth Forest Trees Suffer Windsnap in the Winter of 2023

Posted March 25, 2023 by Southworth Forest

Exhibit 6L: A cluster of trees suffered windsnap to the west of Edwards' deforestation in 2023. Note that all trees are falling away from Edwards' parcel (seen in the background), confirming that the conversion of that property has contributed to windsnap events at a frequency not seen before in that boundary area. (2023)

Landowners in the Pacific Northwest sometimes deal with "windthrow" and "windsnap" on their forested properties. Windthrow occurs when a tree's entire root ball is unearthed so that the tree topples from underground. Windsnap happens when a tree is snapped off above ground. While some species can partially survive windthrow, windsnap is fatal unless the tree can regrow from the stump.

As both terms suggest, wind is the primary culprit for these impacts. In the Southworth forest, you see windthrow near the wetlands, as the combination of water erosion at the base and wind at the top can be an overpowering combination. Windsnap is less common but has happened through the years. These trees, especially the Western hemlocks and Big leaf maples susceptible to such breakage, can sometimes grow a new top.

Since the removal of the neighboring forest at 11090 SE Southworth Dr. in Port Orchard, Southworth forest trees around the edge of this conversion to agriculture have become stressed by climate impacts. Stressed trees are more frequently prone to windsnap. With strong winds now prevailing across the new pasture created by clear-cutters Meghan and Clint Edwards, the winter of 2022-2023 has seen a striking increase in windsnap incidents in the immediate area.

In this post are photos of windsnap to the west of the Edwards property. These trees are in an area feeling considerable impacts of the neighboring forest removal, and the downed trees are all laying in the same direction: away from Edwards' conversion. Without protection and exposed to newly abrasive winds, these trees are likely victims of the altered climate conditions. Sadly, Edwards proposes no solution to this worsening issue in the permit to legalize their deforestation violations.

Exhibit 6M: Additional trees on a different property from the one above also suffered windsnap near Edwards' conversion in 2023. Again, note that the trees are falling away from Edwards' parcel, which is seen in the background to the left. (2023)

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

• (1) Natural environment > (b) Air > (iii) Climate
• (2) Built environment > (b) Land and shoreline use > (iv) Aesthetics