Rutland’s ecosystem is going to change as a result of this spring’s storm that felled so many trees.
City forester David Schneider says trees make a big difference on everything from the likelihood of wildfires to the health of vegetable gardens.
Rutland lost innumerable trees when a strong storm roared out of the mountains and wreaked havoc not only on trees but also utility lines.
Schneider says with less of a tree canopy, remaining brush and fallen logs have more opportunity to dry out and raise the risk of a wildfire.
The remaining trees will be more vulnerable to future storms because they’re now more exposed without neighboring trees.
And vegetable and flower gardens also might be a little harder to grow because the thinned canopy will give them less shade. That also could threaten fish in rivers and streams that have more sunshine.