FORESTS SMILE WHEN IT RAINS

Recent rains have been good for area forests. Area Department of Natural Resources Forester Mark Mortenson said it still doesn't make up for moisture we've not gotten for the last two years. Mortenson said this is the best time of year moisture recharge. He said trees are not actively growing like in summer and the more rain the better, as far as trees are concerned. And the two year lack of rain has been tough on new trees especially because they aren't able to establish deep roots quick enough. Mortenson said in some areas, 25 to 50% of young trees don't make it. But he said those areas are quickly replanted.