West Marin Naturally-Cypress Tree at Abbott's Lagoon Trailhead

Rounding the bend on Pierce Point Road, heading toward Abbott’s Lagoon parking lot, I noticed an unfamiliar expanse in the fog-shrouded landscape. The Monterey Cypress tree that separated the lot from the main thoroughfare had been cut down.

I sat on the amoeba shaped stump feeling a sense of loss. I was bewildered as to why I had any feelings at all about this conspicuous roadside marker.

It was not the greatest looking tree, but it provided a safe haven for migrating birds, as well as a ready place of concealment for resident birds. The tree added a little green ambiance to the dated National Park Service restroom facility. Its absence certainly did not rate a Dewey Livingston historical ‘before and after’ photo.

David and I speculated as to the reason why the tree was now sawdust. Perhaps it was due to the windswept human garbage that often collected around the bottom.

Short for time, our affable NPS Superintendent Don Neubacher gave David a brief answer after he was questioned at a board meeting.

The non-native tree was a roost for a pair of Common Ravens that were dining on vulnerable Snowy Plover chicks.

I can only guess that this tall thirty-foot tree was a prominent attraction among the flat terrain, grasses and dunes around Abbott’s Lagoon. Ravens mate for a long life and will strongly defend their chosen territory. It is possible the Ravens established a domestic household in the Cypress.

Each year a disturbing number of Western snowy plovers succumb for various reasons; mainly predation by critters, human disturbance and loss of habitat. The Point Reyes NPS and PRBO Conservation Science have been aggressively doing everything possible to reduce the mortality rate of this tiny federally threatened shorebird along West Marin’s beaches.

The removal of the Monterey Cypress is one more step in restoring Abbott’s Lagoon to its authentic habitat. Park personnel are removing invasive plants, especially European beachgrass and ice plant that have overwhelmed the native vegetation.

We often see and hear of the sensational and significant changes happening in West Marin. When the little, seemingly inconsequential changes occur, they pass us by without notice. The cypress tree was both important and insignificant.

There is a secondary reason for the removal that is less glamorous. Apparently, the roots of the tree were interfering with the decrepit septic system.

Hopefully, the removal will be a positive boost for the snowy plover population. The displaced ravens will find another perch further on down the road.