Straight-line Winds Damage FNPCW Forest

Thunderstorm brings damage to areas on the Bayfield peninsula
A widespread thunderstorm with powerful straight-line winds moved through the Bayfield peninsula around 3:30 am Saturday, June 21, causing pockets of storm damage. As these straight-line winds moved across the peninsula, small downdrafts descended, laying down trees in 5-8 acre-sized areas. The winds moved through the Friends’ property damaging 7-8 acres of trees. Luckily, the damage at Beaver Hollow was limited to downed trees – the buildings were left unscathed. On Sunday, an industrious group of volunteers cleared up the downed trees in the visitor area, assuring that site visitation could continue as usual.

This unfortunate weather event gives the Friends’ organization the opportunity to create an area of young forest. Much of the forest on the property is approximately the same age class, and the damaged area was mostly aspen reaching marketable size. After the downed wood is cleared, the aspen will regrow and create young forest habitat suitable for a variety of animals, particularly songbirds, and gamebirds like ruffed grouse.