Warming Leads to Dying Trees

500,000 acres of yellow cedar trees have died in Alaksa.
The onset of cedar decline coincided with the beginning of a warming trend in Alaska.
In Southeast Alaska, scientists have documented a massive die-off of yellow cedar on over 500,000 acres of land. Many consider yellow cedar the Tongass National Forest’s most valuable tree both economically and culturally. Because of warmer temperatures, there has been less snow to protect the tree roots and also early dehardening of the foliage. Then, when there is a subsequent late freeze, the foliage and roots are severely injured, leading to tree death.