Page 12 The Shoreline July 2006
Live Oak Trees
Bulwark of the Maritime Forest
By Charlie McBriarty
A story about the maritime forest was
stimulatedbyafellowPKSer,Clint Anderson.
An amateur photographer, Anderson took a
picture of entwined trees he had located in a
lot on Hawthorne Drive near his home. He
eventually sent the photo to this newspaper
and the editor speculated that it might lead to
a story about the maritime forest and how it
has been impacted by seasonal hurricanes.
During a recent visit with Anderson there
was an opportunity to view several examples
of his photographic skill. The photo of the
entwined tree, which was identified by his
son-in-law as “Don’t Leaf Me,” shows three
trees that appear to have grown together over
the years. It looks as though the larger tree,
a live oak, reached-out with two limbs to
embrace a nearby tree, another species from
the oak family. Subsequently, a branch of this
second oak has entwined itself around an even
smaller bay tree that had earlier sprouted near
the two embracing oak trees. At this point, the
three trees seem bound together. It might be
speculated that this quirk of nature was the
consequence of a hurricane and these trees
are protecting and supporting one another
against future storms.
Just what is the Maritime Forest? What
is its impact on our environment, and how
does a hurricane affect it? The search for
answers to these questions has led to a broader
understanding and appreciation of the greenery
that seems, at times, to surround us.
As we drive along the by-ways of Bogue
Banks we see trees, shrubs, vines, and other
flora that at times seem to engulf the roads with
greenery. If the goal of our trip is to show
a visitor a view of the ocean or the sound,
this greenery severely inhibit such views— in
the summer as well as during the months of
November through March. (Being originally
from the upper Midwest, 1 cannot yetcall these
months winter.) This greenery, that has earned
the town of Pine Knoll Shores the honor of
being designated as Tree City USA, is part of
the Maritime Forest.
An Internet search revealed a number of
interesting facts about the maritime forests. At
least one site reported that maritime forests are
a “rare and highly threatened coastal resource
in North Carolina.” Maritime forests are
found sporadically along the barrier islands
and nearby coastline from North Carolina
to Florida. The forest is found on the more
stable of the barrier islands. They serve as a
habitat for wildlife, protect and replenish fresh
your
connection to the M
woric
water, bind the soil that eventually elevates
the island, and help to protect coastal areas
during hurricanes.
These forests are different from those found
further inland because the maritime forest has
had to adapt to the coastal environment with
its salt spray, periodic hurricanes, shifting
sand, soil erosion, storm surges, and limited
quantities of fresh water. The trees that seem
best suited to the coastal environment are oak,
red cedar, holly, and pines, although a recent
North Carolina State University Department
of Horticultural Science report identified 98
distinct species of trees found in the North
Carolina Maritime Forest.
A recent telephone conversation with Pine
Knoll Shore’s arborist, David Styron, revealed
that over time hurricanes have eliminated many
trees from the island. Some of the large trees
indigenous to the local maritime forest, such
as hickory, sweet gum, and cedar, have been
significantly reduced as a consequence of
hurricanes and land development. The periodic
loss of large pine trees appears to be less
traumatic because pines tend to grow well and
quickly reforest areas cleared by hurricanes.
Throughout the years it is the live oak trees
that have survived. Live oaks have adapted
to the environment of Bogue Banks and are
essential for the stability of the island.
Hurricanes are not the major contributor
when it comes to destruction of live oaks. Land
development and associated construction takes
most of that credit. Obviously, building homes,
condos, businesses, and such, results in the
loss of these trees - no matter how careful the
local efforts to preserve. It is not the process of
building alone that threatens trees such as live
oak. Concrete-as in foundations, driveways,
and parking areas - plays a significant role in
the eventual destruction of these trees.
According to Styron, concrete frequently
inhibits the growth of trees because the
concrete is neither flexible, nor porous.
Thus, concrete negatively impacts their root
system, and it is the root system that is a major
contributor to the tree’s growth. Often cement
areas are too close to existing trees, which can
inhibit growth and may eventually kill them.
Foundations, driveways, and parking areas
need to be about 20 to 30 feet from trees to
ensure their continued prosperity.
In addition, septic systems can also cause
damage to trees. Regular maintenance of
septic systems will reduce this problem. A
plumber or septic tank installercan recommend
methods of maintaining a septic system to keep
tree roots from invading the tank.
Fire is another threat to the maritime forest.
Styron believes that a fire presents a much
greater threat than hurricanes. He points out
that there appears to be a high volume of dead
and fallen trees, shrubs, vines, and other dry
materials found within the forest - especially
in the summer. He noted large areas bordering
the highway as examples of where such dry
materials appearto have accumulated and that
these materials could quickly contribute to a
destructive fire.
The maritime forest is a critical part of
Bogue Banks. Without the forest, barrier
islands (including our island) face eventual
destruction. It seems important that each of
us who have invested in this island and those
visiting do what ever we can to preserve the
maritime forest. Be mindful that carelessly
discarded cigarettes can be the cause of a
serious fire. Before building, remodeling,
or landscaping, consult with the Pine Knoll
Shore’s Community Appearance Commission
and follow their advice regarding the
preservation of trees - particulariy the live
oaks. You might even begin a program of
planting trees around your home to replace
those lost due to construction, hurricanes, or
natural causes. If we do our part, perhaps we
can preserve the beauty of this part of the world
for our children’s grand children.
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