News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Friday, trees are seen scattered around Island Park in Alpena. Restoration efforts following the recent ice storm are well underway in Alpena and surrounding areas.

ALPENA — Northeast Michigan became a graveyard for fallen trees in the wake of the recent ice storm that passed through multiple counties, leaving thousands without power. Now that restoration efforts are well underway, foresters are saying woodlands will recover from the damage they faced.

Jacob Grochowski, district forester for Presque Isle and Cheboygan counties, explained that ecologists refer to events that alter an ecosystem significantly as “disturbances.” Grochowski noted that these disturbances often offer opportunities for significant regrowth in ecosystems.

According to Grochowski, the recent ice storm is no exception.

Grochowski explained that Northeast Michigan woodlands are well adapted to a variety of disturbances such as ice storms, flooding, wildfires, etc. However, Grochowski did note the uniqueness of this recent ice storm.

“An ice storm of this severity is not typical for northern Michigan,” Grochowski said. “Our forests are not necessarily adapted to it…For many years, there will be visible signs of this event.”

Despite the severity of the recent ice storm, Grochowski was still confident in the resilience of local woodlands.

“I expect that they will recover from this,” Grochowski said.

Further, Grochowski noted that the standing dead trees and fallen trees actually provide some unexpected benefits to our woodlands. For example, some cavity nesting species — such owls, some woodpeckers, and bats — rely on standing dead trees. In addition to cavity nesting species, these dead trees will host insects that many animals will eat, such as deer.

Grochowski noted that the local deer population may have a difficult time moving around the forest in the short term, but new saplings can offer them new food sources as well. Many deer will eat the bark off of these samplings as they are an easy, accessible food source.

Aspen is just one specific species of tree that will likely benefit from this major disturbance, according to Grochowski. Aspen, for example, doesn’t regrow well without a major ecological disturbance. Aspen regrow new samplings from existing root systems.

Grochowski said that birch and hemlock may also benefit from the recent ice storm.

Lucas Merrick, Gaylord’s Forest Management Unit supervisor, also agreed with Grochowski in that Michigan forests will most likely recover.

“Long term, there is not much cause for concern,” Merrick said. “Large-scale disturbances have historically occurred in our Michigan forests.”

As far as the short term, Merrick explained that the biggest concern for Northeast Michigan is safety.

“This event has caused extensive damage to trees; their tops and branches are hung precariously throughout the forest canopy,” Merrick explained. “Falling branches and tops will be a hazard for anyone willing to walk in the forest or venture down forest roads in vehicles.”

Both Grochowski and Merrick noted that disease could become an issue down the road. Compromised and dead trees, according to Grochowski and Merrick, are hot spots for disease to grow.

Still, despite the large number of trees that have fallen across the surrounding counties, foresters remain optimistic about the local woodland’s ability to regenerate. There are ample ways that the woodland destruction will usher in opportunities for regrowth in the coming years, and provide many benefits to the local wildlife.