Q: As a
result of some of these spring time rains we have been experiencing, several of
the permanent roads we use have stayed wet and become a major headache. For future reference, what do you recommend
to help decrease the amount of time it takes to dry these roads out?
A: After
some of the dry weather we’ve had the last couple of years, there’s no doubt
that the rain is welcome, but with it comes issues like the one you’ve brought
up. As they say, “the wetter the road,
the weaker the road.” One method that
comes to mind for decreasing the amount of time it takes for a road to dry out
is called “daylighting.”
Sun and
wind are the primary agents needed to dry out a road. Daylighting is a method that that entails
clearing trees along the edge of the road in order to increase air circulation
and allow more sunlight to hit the road surface. The forest canopy intercepts quite a bit of wind
and sunlight. The more sun and wind that
reach the road, the faster it will dry out, allowing you to work more efficiently,
reducing erosion potential, and increasing the life span of your road. How far you decide to remove these trees on
the sides is up to your discretion, really just enough to get that sunlight and
wind onto the road surface.
 |
| This road is receiving optimum sunlight and air circulation now, but later on these trees along the side may need to be removed. |
Due to
our location on the Earth’s surface, the southern side of east-west running
roads should receive the most attention in order to maximize the amount of
afternoon sun that hits the road.
Generally speaking, afternoon sun has a greater intensity than morning
sun and a southern exposure will receive more direct sunlight than a northern
exposure. On a north-south running road,
the west side should have more trees removed than the east side, to maximize
the afternoon sun. In areas with
substantial curves in the road, go ahead and take several trees out of the
inside of the curve to enhance the daylighting process and to increase
visibility down the road as a safety precaution.
In
addition to allowing the road to dry faster, daylighting also helps to increase
vegetative cover. Increased grasses on
the road surface when the road is not under heavy traffic loads will do two
things. The root structure of the
grasses will do an excellent job of holding soil in place while the grasses
themselves intercept rainfall and reduce soil particle displacement from
raindrop impact. The second benefit to
the road is that the grasses will also aid in removing moisture. As these grasses grow and conduct
photosynthesis, they will remove moisture from the soil comprising the road bed
and then transpire it into the atmosphere.
The increased number of grasses and forbs growing in the road and on the
sides of the road will be of great benefit to wildlife as a food source. So you are not only helping the road system
but you are helping to feed our furry friends.
Who knows, maybe they’ll grow some bigger antlers and be more convenient
to load into the back of the pickup since they are hanging out on the
road!
In
conclusion, if your primary access roads are staying too wet, you may want to
consider removing some trees along the side of the road in a process known as
“daylighting.” Remember, forest roads
have the potential to severely degrade water quality and by keeping them in
good shape, you are helping to keep our waters clean as well. If you have any questions, feel free to call
me at 936-639-8180, you can reach me by email at tthomas@tfs.tamu.edu, or just swing by our office in
Lufkin.
*This article was published in the May 2014 edition of the Texas Logger
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