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 24 cutting trees DHJanzen100897.jpg high resolution
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| A newly cut stump of a small tree cut off by a beaver. The height above the ground - about 18 inches - is characteristic for an adult beaver. Note the large number of large wood chips on the ground. Beaver do not eat wood - rather, they cut down the tree to get the thin edible and nutrient-rich bark off the smaller branches (which in some favored species such as aspen and cottonwood is found on quite large diameter trunks, see image DHJanzen100899.jpg below). It is commonplace to find such stumps along the banks of ponds and streams occupied by beaver, with no sign of the tree. The entire tree may be cut into pieces and the pieces dragged off to the peace and safety of the pond and house to be eaten. | ||
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