Fall 2023 Forest Restoration Project
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Our recent effort has focused on areas adjacent to Prospect Street parking lot including the slope from the parking lot to the pond and nearby forested areas.
Why these areas? The root systems of trees and plants hold the soil in place which is particularly important on sloped terrain. With the removal of knotweed that extended down the slope from the parking lot to the pond and the eradication of wisteria in the forested area near the trailhead and kiosk, their vast network of rhizomes and roots have also died off. New plants must be introduced whose roots will ensure stability of the soil. Additionally, the establishment of native plants will help keep further non-native infestation at bay. Further, native plants will provide for biodiversity of plant and wildlife. |
Plantings:
Carya ovata (shagbark or common hickory)
This deciduous tree can grow to over 100’ tall and live up to 350 years. It is a slow growing tree that will support the forest canopy for years to come.
Hickory nuts are a food source for many of the animals that reside in Brightwood Park. In particular, its nuts are a preferred food for squirrels. The nuts are also a part of the diets of chipmunks, fox, rabbits and mice. Birds such as mallards and wood ducks that often live in Brightwood also eat hickory nuts. However, deer seldom browse on it if another food source is available.
Ilex verticillata (common winterberry)
This deciduous holly plant likes moist or boggy soil. It is one of the plants that will thrive on the pond’s edge. It can grow from 3’ to 15’ tall and spread wide.
Winterberry plants are either male or female and require cross-pollination to produce seeds. Both genders produce white flowers in the summer. If pollination occurs, bright red berries appear in winter. It may take up to two years for the tubelings to mature enough in Brightwood Park to flower or develop berries. These plants are pollinator friendly, wildlife food sources, and larval hosts.
Quercus alba (white oak)
White oak trees get their name from the color of its finished wood. Its bark is actually a light grey. These slow-growing trees can reach up to 100’ tall and live from 200 to 300 years.
Oaks are said to be one of the most important deciduous trees due to the variety of life they support. The saplings can begin to produce acorns at about 20 years old, but do not produce large harvests until age 50 or so. The acorns feed a variety of animals and birds found in Brightwood including wood ducks, jays, nuthatches, thrushes, woodpeckers, rabbits, squirrels and deer. It is also the only food plant for certain types of moths and caterpillars. Deer will also forage on its leaves.
Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam)
The hornbeam is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that grows in a forest understory. It can reach 20-35’ tall and about the same width in branch spread. In the fall its leaves turn an orange-red.
This tree is a host plant for two types of butterflies. Its seeds and buds are food for songbirds, fox and squirrels. It branches are shelter and cover for a variety of animals.
Ilex opaca (American holly)
This slow growing evergreen with spiky leaves is a particularly hearty species. It generally grows to between 15’ to 30.’ Like winterberry, it requires male and female plants to produce berries. From May to June the American holly blooms greenish yellow blossoms. Berries appear in the fall if pollinated.
From a biodiversity standpoint, this plant acts as a host plant for butterfly larva and adult butterflies and bees feed on its flower nectar. Songbirds and small mammals eat its fruit. As an evergreen, it also provides cover to small mammals in the winter.
In addition to FOBP’s efforts, town resident and master gardener, Rafael Betancourt, has also planted in the sloped area:
Rhus aromatice (Aromatic Sumac)
…
Quercus montana (Chestnut Oak)
…
Why the protective mesh enclosures on some of the trees?
As noted, deer browse on some of the saplings planted. Unless they are protected in their vulnerable sapling stage, they will not survive. Until the trees can establish themselves, they will need to be protected.
What comes next?
The planting is phase I of this project. In order to be a proper steward, FOBP is moving into phase II of monitoring and watering these young plants. The plan will be to enlist volunteers who will agree to work in teams to tend the plants. If you are interested in being part of our team, let us know.
Carya ovata (shagbark or common hickory)
This deciduous tree can grow to over 100’ tall and live up to 350 years. It is a slow growing tree that will support the forest canopy for years to come.
Hickory nuts are a food source for many of the animals that reside in Brightwood Park. In particular, its nuts are a preferred food for squirrels. The nuts are also a part of the diets of chipmunks, fox, rabbits and mice. Birds such as mallards and wood ducks that often live in Brightwood also eat hickory nuts. However, deer seldom browse on it if another food source is available.
Ilex verticillata (common winterberry)
This deciduous holly plant likes moist or boggy soil. It is one of the plants that will thrive on the pond’s edge. It can grow from 3’ to 15’ tall and spread wide.
Winterberry plants are either male or female and require cross-pollination to produce seeds. Both genders produce white flowers in the summer. If pollination occurs, bright red berries appear in winter. It may take up to two years for the tubelings to mature enough in Brightwood Park to flower or develop berries. These plants are pollinator friendly, wildlife food sources, and larval hosts.
Quercus alba (white oak)
White oak trees get their name from the color of its finished wood. Its bark is actually a light grey. These slow-growing trees can reach up to 100’ tall and live from 200 to 300 years.
Oaks are said to be one of the most important deciduous trees due to the variety of life they support. The saplings can begin to produce acorns at about 20 years old, but do not produce large harvests until age 50 or so. The acorns feed a variety of animals and birds found in Brightwood including wood ducks, jays, nuthatches, thrushes, woodpeckers, rabbits, squirrels and deer. It is also the only food plant for certain types of moths and caterpillars. Deer will also forage on its leaves.
Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam)
The hornbeam is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that grows in a forest understory. It can reach 20-35’ tall and about the same width in branch spread. In the fall its leaves turn an orange-red.
This tree is a host plant for two types of butterflies. Its seeds and buds are food for songbirds, fox and squirrels. It branches are shelter and cover for a variety of animals.
Ilex opaca (American holly)
This slow growing evergreen with spiky leaves is a particularly hearty species. It generally grows to between 15’ to 30.’ Like winterberry, it requires male and female plants to produce berries. From May to June the American holly blooms greenish yellow blossoms. Berries appear in the fall if pollinated.
From a biodiversity standpoint, this plant acts as a host plant for butterfly larva and adult butterflies and bees feed on its flower nectar. Songbirds and small mammals eat its fruit. As an evergreen, it also provides cover to small mammals in the winter.
In addition to FOBP’s efforts, town resident and master gardener, Rafael Betancourt, has also planted in the sloped area:
Rhus aromatice (Aromatic Sumac)
…
Quercus montana (Chestnut Oak)
…
Why the protective mesh enclosures on some of the trees?
As noted, deer browse on some of the saplings planted. Unless they are protected in their vulnerable sapling stage, they will not survive. Until the trees can establish themselves, they will need to be protected.
What comes next?
The planting is phase I of this project. In order to be a proper steward, FOBP is moving into phase II of monitoring and watering these young plants. The plan will be to enlist volunteers who will agree to work in teams to tend the plants. If you are interested in being part of our team, let us know.
