Climate change is rapidly killing one of the most common tree in Minnesota

[NickB79]

https://m.startribune.com/tamarack-trees-eastern-larch-beetles-minnesota-extinction-endangered-species/600233177/

Tamaracks are a species of larch commonly found in swamps, but larch beetles are rapidly killing them off as our winters no longer reach the -30F to -40F needed to kill most of them off.

Tamaracks can't survive in Minnesota if we see another 1-2C of warming, which will happen in 30 yr or so. And this is one reason why I'm growing bald cypress seedlings, typically found in the southern US, to plant in a nearby wetland area next spring. There are several 20-30' specimens already growing in the Twin Cities, so our climate is now warm enough for them. Assisted migration, bringing a southern species north to fill a niche left empty as native species die out, will be vital in the years ahead.

It's also why I need more acres of land to work with. A friend just sent me 600 persimmon seeds from his experimental orchard in Madison, Wisconsin to trial.

[mopinko]

1. chgo just planted a bald cypress on my parkway.

been meaning to look it up. seems an odd choice.

[Zambero]

2. They are deciduous conifers

Best known for populating southern swamps, their native range extends as far as southern Illinois. Boise, Idaho has hundreds of plantings and they're thriving here.