The rat, the mouse, the fox, the rabbit watch the roots.
~ William Blake
Challenged by Lake Superior Spirit to find six new and interesting views of things you have noticed or photographed before, I decided to get to the root of the matter. Under the root to be more exact. Since I’m so accustomed to photographing the part of trees that grows above ground, or looking at upturned trees from the outside, I thought I’d crouch under a very large Balsam Fir root and see what a small mammal might see if it was hiding there.
The first thing I noticed was how dark and quiet it was under the root.
Balsam Firs tend to be shallow rooted and so are easily blown over during high winds.
After falling to the ground, the roots of large trees remain intact, with some strands dangling to the ground. Many provide hut-like enclosures that offer shelter for small animals.
Often, new trees start growing in the dirt left clinging to the upturned roots. Over time, these roots eventually form mounds in the forest which help to speed up the rate of new growth.
Water often gathers under overturned roots. Though presently frozen, these vernal pools provide places for amphibians to lay eggs or small mammals and birds to get a drink of water during warmer months. The variety of life found around the roots of these overturned trees contributes greatly to the biodiversity of the forest.
For more information and photos of overturned trees taken from a vantage point out from under the roots see Pits and Mounds.
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