MEET OUR NEIGHBOR: THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER

When it comes to removing trees in the Southeast, you may have become familiar with the red-cockaded woodpecker. This endangered species is only about the size of a cardinal, but its worthy of substantial consideration in accordance with its outsized impact on the local ecosystem. This small woodpecker makes its home in cavities in long leaf pines that also become useful to and support twelve other vertebrate species. Because of these nesting patterns, any lot that contains stands of pine or a blend of hardwood and pine must be surveyed before being constructed upon. Surveyors look to see if the dominate trees in the stand are over 30 years old. This designation is awarded to trees at least 10” DBH (the diameter of the tree 4.5’ off of the ground). These trees are considered crucial to the woodpecker’s habitat and their destruction should be avoided.

In Boiling Spring Lakes, any tree over 7.9” DBH must have a tree removal permit issued before it can be cut down. Once a survey is completed and a tree removal application has been submitted, U.S. Fish and Wildlife will make the final decision on the removal. This agency typically designates an area in either green (no impact), blue (woodpecker foraging area), or red (most sensitive area). This information is available for our area through the City of Boiling Spring Lakes planning and zoning department. We at Langbeen Builders work hard to take care of our local community and environment. We strive to build responsibly to ensure that there’s room for everyone in our local habitat.

If you’d like to learn more about the red-cockaded woodpecker please visit https://www.fws.gov/rcwrecovery/rcw.html. For information about our neighbor right here in Boiling Spring Lakes, check out https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/pdfs/BSL/BSLSLideShow_Sept.19.pdf. Information for this article was sourced from www.fws.gov and www.audbon.org.