A cedar tree growing from a nurse log that provides nutrients as it decays.

Unlike the drywood termites that invade houses, Pacific dampwood termites are a natural and important part of coastal forest life. These native insects make their homes in damp, decaying logs, where the moist wood supports thriving colonies of thousands. Hidden from the sun and wind, the termites slowly chew through the wood. They use tiny gut microbes to break down tough plant fibers that once helped the trees stand tall.

As they eat, the termites slowly hollow out the wood. The tunnels they carve let in more moisture and fungi, speeding up the tree’s decay. These little passageways also create tiny homes for salamanders, beetles, mosses, and even young seedlings.

At the same time, the termites unlock nutrients buried deep in the wood, like carbon and nitrogen. These elements then return to the soil and help new plants grow. Ferns, huckleberries, salmonberries, and young fir trees will rise from this rich forest floor, all fed by tiny insects.

There are visible signs of the termites’ work, if you know where to look. That’s why, on my nature hikes, I like to stop beside fallen cedars and invite guests to get up close. Soft bark, crumbling wood, tiny bore holes, and delicate piles of “termite sawdust,” called frass, are all subtle clues. Together, we notice how the log is gently breaking down into the earth, evidence that the insects are still hard at work.

Celeste Hankins is a freelance writer and nature guide living in the Pacific Northwest, just a short hike from the Salish Sea. She has an MA in Science Writing from Johns Hopkins University and is a certified marine naturalist from the San Juan Whale Museum. Celeste also volunteers as a habitat interpreter at the Seattle Aquarium and as a citizen scientist monitoring sea birds and harbor porpoises. Come rain or shine, you can find Celeste narrating scenic cruises on the fjord, swimming with seals, or leading family beach walks.

Table of Contents, Issue #29, Autumn 2025