Survival of Western Red Cedar Trees
Introduction
Western Red Cedars are important to healthy habitats of the northwest, and that's just what Fernhill is trying to achieve, a healthy natural wetland. Western Red Cedars are common to nature and are mostly found in forests. Western Red Cedars provide habitat, they stop erosion, and shade water. Fernhill Wetlands wants to clean water more naturally, so they went under construction to make a better wetlands. We think its important to research Western Red Cedars at Fernhill Wetlands to see the efforts of their restoration project.
Research Question & Hypothesis
Western Red Cedars are important to healthy habitats of the northwest, and that's just what Fernhill is trying to achieve, a healthy natural wetland. Western Red Cedars are common to nature and are mostly found in forests. Western Red Cedars provide habitat, they stop erosion, and shade water. Fernhill Wetlands wants to clean water more naturally, so they went under construction to make a better wetlands. We think its important to research Western Red Cedars at Fernhill Wetlands to see the efforts of their restoration project.
Research Question & Hypothesis
- What are the size and distribution of cedar trees at Fernhill Wetlands?
- We predict that some of the trees will have died since November, but not too many. The trees closest to the water will have grown the most.
Methods
Materials
Procedures:
1.Locate sample site. Measure out 50’x50’ grid using GPS coordinates and mark each corner with a flag. Use measuring tape to check that the distance between each is 50 feet.
2.Using November’s map, locate each tree. When you find a tree, record its height. Add any observations about its appearance or health.
3.Photograph the site.
4.If there is time, collect leaf or twig samples to press!
- Sample 50’ x 50’ plot for distribution and height of cedar trees
- Photograph plants
- Collect samples and press leaves for display
Materials
- 2 measuring tapes
- Pink flag
- Rope
- GPS Device
- Tree and plant ID book
- Camera
- Flower press
- Data sheet, map, clipboard, pencil
Procedures:
1.Locate sample site. Measure out 50’x50’ grid using GPS coordinates and mark each corner with a flag. Use measuring tape to check that the distance between each is 50 feet.
2.Using November’s map, locate each tree. When you find a tree, record its height. Add any observations about its appearance or health.
3.Photograph the site.
4.If there is time, collect leaf or twig samples to press!
Results
Findings & Conclusions
We collected data 3 times. And, our overall all the Western Red Cedars survived and grew taller. In February we noticed that a lot of the trees had turned a rust color. But, when we returned in May all of cedars had returned to their normal color.
Our hypothesis was incorrect, all of the western red cedars survived. The change in color must be a seasonal change. The habitat is a good place for Western Red Cedars. This is good news for Fernhill, because they may want to plant cedars in other areas of Fernhill. However, the Fernhill restoration happened in a different place than the plot of cedars we took data on. So, in future we think it would be important to take data on the vegetation that was part of the restoration.
We collected data 3 times. And, our overall all the Western Red Cedars survived and grew taller. In February we noticed that a lot of the trees had turned a rust color. But, when we returned in May all of cedars had returned to their normal color.
Our hypothesis was incorrect, all of the western red cedars survived. The change in color must be a seasonal change. The habitat is a good place for Western Red Cedars. This is good news for Fernhill, because they may want to plant cedars in other areas of Fernhill. However, the Fernhill restoration happened in a different place than the plot of cedars we took data on. So, in future we think it would be important to take data on the vegetation that was part of the restoration.
Reflection
We found the project to be a lot of fun. Collecting data was hard, but fun. The highlight was identifying the trees. It was hard to keep everyone on task, but we couldn’t do this project by ourselves. If we made our job fun, it helped everyone else. We should continue the project because it’s fun and informational. It’s important to involve kids like us because taking data is a lifeskill and we should be involved in local projects.
We found the project to be a lot of fun. Collecting data was hard, but fun. The highlight was identifying the trees. It was hard to keep everyone on task, but we couldn’t do this project by ourselves. If we made our job fun, it helped everyone else. We should continue the project because it’s fun and informational. It’s important to involve kids like us because taking data is a lifeskill and we should be involved in local projects.
What's a western red cedar? Here's some info:
- A large tree, up to 60 metres tall when mature, with drooping branches; trunk often spreading out widely at the base.
- Habitat of a western red cedar: Western redcedar grows best moist to wet soils, with lots of nutrients. It is tolerant of shade and long lived, sometimes over 1,000 years.
- Western redcedar frequently grows with western hemlock and Douglas-fir.