Two Informally-Validated Die-Off Sites Beyond Seward Park

On private property on the Kitsap Peninsula, near Sandy Hook, the owner has watched their several acres of sword-fern dominated second growth forest die off.  This beganin 2010, and is thus our earliest report so far.  Sword fern root and soil samples are under analysis at WSU Puyallup.   This site meets the proposed six criteria by which a die-off site is identified.

The die-off occupies a gentle west-facting slope with a marked (possibly relevant) absence of doug firs.  Cedars and maples dominate.  The area is largely open beneath these moderately spaced second-growth trees.  Regeneration is taking place, including (at least) the native Indian Plum.

The Upper Luther Burbank Park site is smaller.  Its status as a die-off site is, I believe, contested by Mercer Island Parks staff.    This legitimate, and currently unresolved difference of opinion partly inspired my six proposed die-off criteria.  This site meets all criteria except number six: that the die-off area has been assayed in successive years, and is growing radially.     Annual monitoring of the Mercer Island site will resolve this.