![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Heron
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Michigan/detroit
|
![]()
That would sure act as a Deer Den and maybe with full shade and a massive network of roots nothing can get a foothold. As you know ferns aren't really a deers favorite food. Are you seeing oak and chesnut seedlings in the area? It would signal that there is enough light for plant growth. We have the same problem in metro detroit, Lots of parks with the bio-diversity starting at 10 feet above the ground. You could always talk to the conservancy and see if they are willing to fence off an area for a native planting of milkweed. If you focus on the edge you will have more success. Thats what they did here in the paintcreek area to help restore the oak savanna. This was a Riparin with Prarie spreading up to the higher land and really has helped the wildlife other than deer,,,Oh and this county[Oakland] has the highest number of deer / car collisions in the state. Of course most collisions are in the rut season and the police drag the carcass to the ditches where they are left for turkey vultures which come back in april. The state even puts off cutting the shoulder till late june so grass nesting birds have a chance.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Official Plant Nerd
Join Date: Dec 2008
|
![]()
"the police drag the carcass to the ditches where they are left for turkey vultures which come back in april." I'm jealous. Animal control comes around and "tidies" up our road kills.
__________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
1st Place Winner Winner Butterfly/Moth Contest & Official Ant Man
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New Jersey
|
![]()
Alright the trees are fairly big and tall. I'd say a couple are beyond 60 feet high. The trouble is all the highland forest has little if anything growing down below. There are saplings to sassafras, oaks, chestnut, and a hand full of things I can't ID growing. Very few pines but that's not necessarily a problem. A number of huge trees fall over regularly and the forest seems able to repair itself in those areas.
But there is such a disconnect when you get down to where the water is, and lowland areas next to the forest edge. The only real under story herbicides perennials are Ferns. I am warming up to the place as seen in my next post. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
1st Place Winner Winner Butterfly/Moth Contest & Official Ant Man
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New Jersey
|
![]()
I found 2 patches of Indian Pipe (or that smaller species of Indian Pipe that's int he same genus).
I found a single buttonbush too. I walked the entire water way and only found a one plant! How does that happen? YouTube - Buttonbush Buzzing |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
1st Place Winner Winner Butterfly/Moth Contest & Official Ant Man
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New Jersey
|
![]()
There was also a single patch of some type of low growing ... ground cover? Looks like it produces berries and is related to wintergreen or something like that.
There was also a single patch of some odd plant. As far as I could make out the entire plant was one orange tendril like silly string. Would that be a fungus? There didn't look like any leaves or anything there. So there are neat and unique things happening in this forest but they're few and far between. Even the steep hillsides don't have anything special growing on them. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
|
![]() Quote:
(I had to look it up for the genus name.) |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Fox
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Chesterfield, Virginia
|
![]()
Did you see Amelanchier's feature on earthworms? I wonder if you are seeing an instance of earthwork damage in that woodland.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
WG Facilitator
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Cajun Country, Louisiana, USA
|
![]()
When are you going to start making your syrups for invasives, Calliandra? You'll make a fortune.
__________________
My yarden and I lean a little to the wild side. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|